Bulldog Gym Strength Clubs
Official Rule Book
1. Purpose
The Bulldog Gym Strength Clubs exist to recognize real, earned strength while reinforcing safe lifting standards, proper preparation, and community support. These clubs are not competitions. There are no rankings, leaderboards, or comparisons within a club level.
Once achieved, membership in a Bulldog Strength Club is permanent.
2. Eligible Lifts
Bulldog Strength Club totals are calculated using the combined weight of the following three lifts:
Back Squat
Bench Press
Deadlift
All three lifts must be completed and verified within the same one-hour session.
3. Club Levels
Membership is earned by achieving a combined total of the three lifts listed above.
Club levels are:
Bulldog Strength Club – 350
Bulldog Strength Club – 500
Bulldog Strength Club – 750
Bulldog Strength Club – 1000
Bulldog Strength Club – 1250
Bulldog Strength Club – 1500
There is no ranking within each club. Members are recognized solely for achieving the required threshold total.
Important: Participants must declare the specific Bulldog Strength Club level they intend to achieve before beginning their first warm-up set.
For example:
If you declare Bulldog Strength Club – 750 but successfully total 1,000 pounds, you will earn entry into the 750 Club only.
Likewise, if you declare the 750 Club but total only 500 pounds, you will not automatically earn entry into the 500 Club.
This rule encourages purposeful training, intentional goal setting, and reduces the temptation to attempt unsafe lifts beyond one’s planned objective.
4. Attempt Window & Session Flow
All three lifts must be completed within a single one-hour window.
The one-hour window includes all warm-up sets.
Lifts must be performed in the following order:
Back Squat
Bench Press
Deadlift
Multiple attempts are permitted for the lift currently being performed, provided the total session does not exceed one hour.
Once a participant advances to the next lift, they may not return to a previous lift for additional attempts.
The official session clock begins when the participant starts the first opening lift for the Back Squat.
5. Movement Standards
All lifts must meet the following minimum standards to count toward a Bulldog Strength Club total. Bulldog Gym staff will verify each successful attempt.
Back Squat
Barbell positioned on the upper back (high-bar or low-bar permitted)
Feet must remain planted throughout the lift
Hip crease must descend to at least parallel with the top of the knee
Full hip and knee extension required at the completion of the lift
Bench Press
Barbell must be lowered under control to the chest
Touch-and-go or paused repetitions are both permitted
Feet must remain in contact with the floor
Full elbow lockout required at the completion of the lift
Lift-offs are permitted and encouraged
Deadlift
Bar must begin on the floor
Conventional deadlift only
Straight bar or trap bar permitted
Full hip and knee extension required with shoulders back and hips through at the completion of the lift
Required Safety Equipment
The safety of participants, staff, and spectators is the highest priority during all Bulldog Strength Club attempts.
For every official attempt:
Approved safety bars or safety arms are required for every Back Squat and Bench Press attempt, including all warm-up sets.
Safety bars or safety arms must be properly installed and adjusted to an appropriate height that provides protection without interfering with the normal range of motion of the lift.
Participants are responsible for ensuring the safety equipment is correctly positioned before beginning each attempt.
Bulldog Gym staff may assist with setup but retain final authority regarding the placement and adequacy of all safety equipment.
Any Back Squat or Bench Press attempt performed without properly installed safety bars or safety arms will not qualify as an official Bulldog Strength Club attempt.
Bench Press Spotting Requirements
For every Bench Press attempt:
At least one qualified spotter must be present throughout the lift.
A lift-off person is permitted and encouraged.
Human spotters do not replace the requirement for properly adjusted safety bars or safety arms.
Bulldog Gym staff may require additional spotters whenever deemed appropriate for participant safety.
6. Equipment & Attire
The following equipment is permitted but not required:
Weightlifting belts
Knee sleeves
Wrist wraps
Liquid chalk
The following equipment is not permitted unless specifically approved by Bulldog Gym staff due to documented medical necessity:
Lifting straps
Hooks
Adhesive gripping aids
All equipment used during a Bulldog Strength Club attempt must be in good working condition and approved by Bulldog Gym staff.
Participants may not modify, remove, bypass, or intentionally misuse any safety device or equipment provided by Bulldog Gym.
7. Verification & Staff Authority
A Bulldog Gym staff member must be present for every Bulldog Strength Club attempt.
Staff responsibilities include:
Confirming bar weight and total load
Verifying movement standards
Verifying proper installation and adjustment of required safety equipment
Confirming successful completion of each lift
Determining whether all rules have been satisfied
Staff decisions regarding lift validity, safety equipment, attempt procedures, and rule interpretation are final.
Any lift that does not clearly meet movement standards or safety requirements will not count toward a Bulldog Strength Club total.
8. Scheduling Requirements
Bulldog Strength Club attempts must be scheduled in advance.
Attempts must occur during staffed hours.
Walk-in or unscheduled attempts may be declined at staff discretion.
Scheduling ensures appropriate supervision, safety, and verification.
9. Safety & Staff Discretion
Bulldog Gym places member safety above all other considerations.
Participation in the Bulldog Strength Clubs is voluntary and undertaken at the participant’s own risk.
Bulldog Gym reserves the right to require any reasonable safety measure deemed appropriate for a particular participant, lift, or circumstance.
Staff may pause, modify, postpone, or terminate any attempt if they determine that:
Movement quality presents an unreasonable risk of injury.
Required safety equipment has not been properly installed or adjusted.
Required spotters are not present.
Equipment or facility conditions are unsuitable.
The participant appears fatigued, impaired, injured, or otherwise unable to safely perform the lift.
Any Bulldog Gym rule or staff instruction is not being followed.
Failure to comply with required safety procedures or staff instructions will result in immediate termination of the attempt.
Bulldog Gym reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any Strength Club attempt whenever staff determine that continuing the attempt would create an unnecessary safety risk.
10. Recognition & Records
Successful achievements will be:
Recorded in Bulldog Gym records
Displayed in the gym by club level and achievement date
Recognized through Bulldog Gym’s website and social media (with participant permission)
11. Advancement & Re-Attempts
Members may attempt to advance to a higher Bulldog Strength Club level at any time, provided all scheduling requirements are met.
Once a club level has been earned, it is permanent. Members are not required to repeat previous achievements unless attempting to qualify for a higher club level.
12. Amendments & Final Authority
Bulldog Gym reserves the right to clarify, revise, or amend these rules at any time to maintain safety, fairness, consistency, and program integrity.
The most current version of this rule book serves as the governing authority for the Bulldog Gym Strength Clubs.
Interpretation of these rules rests solely with Bulldog Gym management, whose decisions are final.
Participation in the Bulldog Gym Strength Clubs is voluntary and is not a condition of membership. Members should only attempt lifts they have adequately prepared for through proper training and conditioning.