Weight training is a natural means of exercise for the blind, as it requires little start-up expense and can be achieved at home or in a gymnasium. For the competitive athlete who is looking for an activity that he or she can perform with able-bodied individuals, powerlifting is one of the few sports where a blind person can compete on an equal basis.

In the sport of Powerlifting three attemps in the squat, the bench-press and the dead lift are granted to each competitor. The highest succesful weight lifted from the squat, the bench-press and the dead lift are added together for the total weight lifted.

Lifters compete within classes divided by weight, age and sex. There are 10 different weight classes for women, and 11 for men. Age classes include Open; any age above the minimum of 14 years, Junior; 14 to 23 years, and Masters; 40 years and over.

Powerlifting, since becoming an IBSA sport has held World Championships: 2000 In the Netherlands and 2002 in the Czech Republic. With growth in number of countries taking part, the pressure to have this sport included in the Paralympics for the vision impaired will grow.