APO BENCH WARS
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Friday, October 10, 2025
Mr. Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend
REGISTRATION
Early Bird Entry Fee: $200
Price Increases to $250 on August 10, 2025
Additional Classes: $75 each (e.g., second equipment category or age division)
COMPETITION OPTIONS
This is a bench press only competition sanctioned by the American Powerlifting Organization (APO) and open to all lifters.
EQUIPMENT DIVISIONS
Choose your division based on the equipment you’ll be using:
Raw (Bench Only)
Single Ply (Bench Only)
Multiply (Bench Only)
AGE DIVISIONS
Available for both men and women:
Teen: 13–15, 16–17, 18–19
Junior: 20–23
Open: 13+
Sub Master: 33–39
Masters: 40+ classes
WEIGHT CLASSES (KG)
Both men and women may compete in the following classes:
44.0, 48.0, 52.0, 56.0, 60.0, 67.5,
75.0, 82.5, 90.0, 100.0, 110.0, 125.0, 140.0, 140.0+
Each lifter may register for one or more combinations of equipment, age, and weight class.
WEIGH-INS
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center
No same-day weigh-ins allowed
MEET DAY
Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
Rules Briefing: 8:00 AM
Lifting Begins: 10:00 AM
WPO BENCH WARS
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Saturday, October 11, 2025
Mr. Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend
REGISTRATION
Early Bird Entry Fee: $200
Price Increases to $250 on August 10, 2025
Additional Classes: $75 each (e.g., second equipment category or age division)
COMPETITION FORMAT
Multiply Bench Press Only (Single Lift)
Qualified Lifters Only (See qualifying totals below)
3 Weight Classes per Gender
Best Lifter (Male & Female)
QUALIFYING LIFTS
Women
Lightweight (44–60 KG): 110 KG
Middleweight (67.5–90 KG): 140 KG
Heavyweight (100–140+ KG): 160 KG
Men
Lightweight (60–82.5 KG): 240 KG
Middleweight (90–110 KG): 300 KG
Heavyweight (125–140+ KG): 340 KG
WEIGH-INS
Date: Friday, October 10th, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center
No same-day weigh-ins allowed
MEET DAY
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Rules Briefing: 8:00 AM
Lifting Begins: 10:00 AM
SPONSOR THE 2025 APO & WPO BENCH WARS AT OLYMPIA WEEKEND
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October 10–11, 2025
Mr. Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend
This October, powerlifting takes over the Olympia expo with two massive days of bench-only competition:
Friday, October 10 – APO Bench Wars (Open to all athletes)
Saturday, October 11 – WPO Bench Wars (Pro-level, qualifying totals required)
Together, these events form a back-to-back celebration of raw strength, competitive excellence, and the relentless pursuit of power — right in the heart of the Mr. Olympia Fitness & Performance Expo.
We’re calling on sponsors to help us elevate this historic weekend.
WHY SPONSOR BOTH DAYS?
Sponsoring the Bench Wars weekend puts your brand front and center in one of the most heavily trafficked areas of the Olympia Expo with access to thousands of strength fans, athletes, media, and industry professionals.
Sponsors will benefit from:
➡️ Logo placement on event signage, livestreams, shirts, banners, etc
➡️ Mentions across social media, email newsletters, and livestream
➡️ Product placement in athlete gift bags for APO Bench Wars
➡️ VIP access to the competition and athlete areas
➡️ Co-branding with WPO, APO, and Inzer Advanced Designs
HELP US HIT OUR $50,000 GOAL
We’ve set an ambitious but achievable goal:
Raise $50,000 to directly support the lifters.
Here's where the money goes:
➡️ Every WPO pro lifter receives a $250 payout to cover the cost of entry
➡️ Top 3 in each weight class split podium payouts totaling $24,000+
➡️ Best Lifter awards will receive additional cash recognition
➡️ Cash bonuses will be awarded to any lifter who sets an ATWR
This model ensures that every qualified pro walks away with something and the top performers leave with what they’ve earned.
APO DAY – GEAR THE LIFTERS
On Friday, October 10th, APO Bench Wars launches an unforgettable weekend of bench press competition — and we’re assembling athlete gift bags to recognize and support every lifter who steps on the platform.
This is a powerful opportunity to get your brand directly into the hands of over 100 competitive powerlifters — athletes who train hard, compete often, and influence buying decisions in the strength and performance space.
We’re looking for functional, meet-day-ready gear, samples, and swag that lifters will appreciate and actually use. From recovery tools and gym essentials to supplements, accessories, and exclusive discounts — your contribution will make an impact.
Whether you’re an established brand or an up-and-comer, your support helps us create a next-level athlete experience and aligns your name with a world-class event at the heart of Olympia Weekend.
Interested in contributing to the athlete bags?
Email aj@ajroberts.com and we’ll coordinate next steps.
EVERY CONTRIBUTION MATTERS
Whether you're a major brand or a grassroots supporter of the sport, your contribution helps us build a weekend worthy of the strongest bench pressers on Earth.
Let’s raise the bar — literally and figuratively.
Interested in sponsoring or contributing to the athlete bags?
Email aj@ajroberts.com for a custom sponsorship package.
BENCH WARS 2025
TWO DAYS. ONE MISSION.
SUPPORT THE LIFTERS. BUILD THE SPORT. BE PART OF HISTORY.
Photos Courtesy of Scott DePanfilis
TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATIONS
Bench Wars Weekend takes place during the 60th Anniversary of Mr. Olympia, one of the largest fitness events in the world. That means Las Vegas will be buzzing — and rooms will go fast.
While we are not offering room blocks, Mr. Olympia has partnered with several hotels to provide discounted rates for attendees.
To view available rates and book directly, visit:
OLYMPIA PARTNER HOTELS
These are the official Olympia hotels located at Resorts World Las Vegas, just minutes from the Convention Center:
Sleek, comfortable, and connected to the full Resorts World experience
Conveniently adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center
OTHER GREAT OPTIONS NEARBY
These hotels are popular with lifters, coaches, and expo-goers for their proximity, parking access, and fitness-friendly amenities:
Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino
Located directly next to the Convention Center
Treasure Island (TI)
Affordable, Strip location
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Spacious, quieter atmosphere off Strip
Rooms will sell out fast — we strongly recommend booking early.
Whether you're competing, coaching, or spectating, secure your room before the rush.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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GENERAL
What is Bench Wars Weekend?
Two back-to-back bench-only meets held during Mr. Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend. Friday is APO Bench Wars (open to all), Saturday is WPO Bench Wars (pro level with qualifying standards).
When and where are the events?
Both meets take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall. APO is Friday, October 10, 2025. WPO is Saturday, October 11, 2025.
How do I register?
Registration opens Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 12 PM ET via the online entry form on our website. You’ll select your division, weight class, and pay the entry fee.Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur occaecat sunt cupidatat non proident, in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum laboris nisi ut aliquip easint ut laboris nisi aliquip ex ea commodo commodo consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod ipsum dolor sit amet qui officia.
REGISTRATION & FEES
What are the entry fees?
Early bird is $200 until August 10, then $250. Additional class entries are $75 each.
What does my entry include?
Each APO and WPO registrant receives two full-weekend expo passes (currently valued at $86.23 each) and an official meet shirt.
Can I get a refund if I can’t compete?
No refunds. Entries may be transferred to another AJ Roberts–directed meet through October 12, 2026 with written approval from the meet director.
Can I switch divisions or weight classes after registering?
Yes, up to the registration deadline (September 26, 2025) by emailing aj@ajroberts.com. Changes after that date require meet-director approval and will require a $25 processing fee.
WPO PRO QUALIFICATIONS
How do I qualify for WPO Bench Wars?
You must be able to bench the minimum qualifying bench press in a multiply shirt.
What are the qualifying standards?
Women LW (44–60 kg): 110 kg
Women MW (67.5–90 kg): 140 kg
Women HW (100–140+ kg): 160 kg
Men LW (60–82.5 kg): 240 kg
Men MW (90–110 kg): 300 kg
Men HW (125–140+ kg): 340 kg
MEET DAY DETAILS
When and where are weigh-ins?
Thursday, October 9, 2025 from 10 AM–4 PM at the Convention Center. No same-day weigh-ins.
When is the rules briefing and lifting start?
APO rules briefing at 8 AM and lifting at 10 AM on October 10.
WPO rules briefing at 8 AM and lifting at 10 AM on October 11.
What rules govern the competition?
All lifts will be judged under current APO/WPO rules. The full rulebooks are available at apopowerlifting.com and worldpowerliftingorganization.com.
SPECTATORS & EXPO
Is there a cost to watch the competitions?
No, there is no additional charge to spectate APO or WPO Bench Wars. However, because both meets take place inside the Mr. Olympia World Fitness Expo, all spectators must have a valid Expo Pass. Passes can be purchased here:
https://www.gofevo.com/event/2025OlympiaWorldExpo
When is the Expo open?
The Olympia World Fitness Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center (South Hall) operates on the following schedule:
-
Friday, October 10, 2025
– VIP & Expo Elite entry: 8:00 AM
– General Admission entry: 9:00 AM
– Show floor open until 5:00 PM -
Saturday, October 11, 2025
– VIP & Expo Elite entry: 8:00 AM
– General Admission entry: 9:00 AM
– Show floor open until 5:00 PM
Do children need an Expo Pass?
Children aged 5 and under do not require an Expo Pass for entry.
CONTACT
aj@jroberts.com
Phone
(858) 754 8825