Membership Restructure

We’re introducing a simplified membership structure and updated pricing this May to make things easier to understand and manage.

Key updates include:

• Fewer membership types with automatic age-based pricing
• Athlete memberships transition automatically
• Coach memberships move to Individual+ (monthly plans remain until lapsed)
• Upfront, all-in pricing with no surprise fees
• Lower sanction fees for on-platform events
• New optional event registration protection

These changes were made to simplify the membership experience.

By reducing the number of membership types and clarifying pricing, it is now easier to choose the right option and understand what you are paying for.

Membership pricing depends on your age, membership type, and whether you choose a monthly or yearly option.

For athletes:

• Monthly memberships start at $6.99 per month
• Yearly memberships start at $39 per year

For coaches:

• Individual+ membership is $109 per year and is required for coach certification

All prices are shown upfront and include processing fees, so the price you see is the total price you pay.

You can view full pricing details and options on our membership page.

There are five total membership types, with three available for purchase:

• Individual Monthly
• Individual Yearly
• Individual+ (required for coach certification)
• Medical (no cost, approved volunteers)
• Lifetime (no cost, Olympians and Hall of Fame Inductees)

Most memberships will transition automatically to the new structure with no action required.

You can view a full breakdown in the membership transition guide.

• Choose Individual if you are participating as an athlete or technical official without a coach certification
  • Select monthly or yearly based on your payment preference
• Choose Individual+ if you need a coach certification

To determine which membership type is best for you, click here.

Yes. You can select the option that works best for you at the time of renewal.

No action is required for most members.

If you have an active membership, it will transition automatically. If you are renewing after May, you will select from the updated options.

Club memberships remain available with updated pricing. No structural changes have been made.

Our team is here to help. Please contact usaw@usaweightlifting.org for assistance.

Individual+ is the membership required to earn or maintain a coach certification. It includes the same certification eligibility and requirements as previous coach memberships. This membership includes all the benefits of the Individual membership type including the option to compete. 

Yes. If you are currently enrolled in a monthly coach membership, you may continue renewing it as long as it remains active.

The coach monthly option is no longer available for new memberships beginning in May.

If your membership lapses or is canceled, you will renew under the Individual+ yearly membership.

You only need one membership.

If you require a coach certification, you will need Individual+. Event participation is still based on your age and qualifications.

Some prices have been adjusted to reflect administrative and processing costs.

In some cases, prices have decreased. For example, sanction fees for events with on-platform registration are now $79.

All prices are now shown upfront with processing fees included. The price you see is the total price you pay.

Yes. Age-based pricing is still in place and applied automatically.

Your renewal price will reflect the updated pricing structure at the time of renewal.

Event protection is an optional add-on available during registration that provides reimbursement if you are unable to attend due to covered circumstances.

Coverage includes specific unexpected situations such as injury or illness. Full details are available during event registration.