If the bar is misloaded, what happens if the lifter successfully makes the lift?

When the bar is misloaded and the lifter successfully makes the lift, the lifter has the option to accept the attempt or choose to retake it. This is crucial because, in powerlifting, the integrity of the competition must be maintained, and lifters should be allowed to make decisions regarding their lifts.

If a misloaded bar results in a weight that is either heavier or lighter than what was intended, the lifter's decision becomes important. Accepting the lift means they acknowledge that they successfully completed it under the current conditions, while opting to retake allows them the chance to perform the lift again under correct loading. The rules in powerlifting often accommodate such situations to ensure fairness and adhere to the lifter's intent.

This flexibility underscores the principle that the lifter’s choice is paramount in cases of equipment errors, ensuring that they are not disadvantaged by a mistake made by others.