Although the amount of weight you can bench press is one factor that can be used to gauge your strength, it is by no means the only factor. Bench pressing ninety percent of one’s body weight is possible for the typical man in his forties, though this number might shift depending on a number of different conditions. Continue reading to find out what the average bench press is. And keep in mind that every person is unique, and it’s possible that you don’t fit into the category that you’ve been thinking you do.
You can establish some goals for yourself and get an idea of where you should be by using these charts.
Your overall level of fitness and the amount of time you’ve spent training will determine how much weight you can bench press. Liz Marsland, a CrossFit L-2 trainer at CrossFit Shapesmiths, explains that in order to gain a sense for a person’s benchmark, she looks at the individual as a whole and takes into consideration their size, build, and lifting experience.

When it comes to lifting weights, an expert or exceptional athlete can typically do so with more than twice the strength of a person who has never trained before. It is recommended that you start by merely lifting the bar of a conventional barbell, which weighs 45 pounds.
Marsland suggests that people who have never lifted weights before acquire proper form using a training bar that weighs 22 pounds. Before moving on to heavier weights, you should do this so that you can become used to the movement and refine your technique.
It is essential to have proper form and to build up gradually if you want to be able to keep the results you have achieved.
Average Bench Press For Men.
In most cases, men are able to lift far heavier burdens than women. In their twenties and thirties, men are often at their strongest and are able to raise the amount of weight they bench press at this time. When people reach their forties, the average amount of weight they can bench press begins to decrease.
There are, of course, going to be some exceptions to these guidelines, but you still need to keep these things in mind as key considerations.
You may obtain a general estimate of how much the average adult male can bench press by consulting the following charts:
Body weight (lbs) | Untrained | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
114 | 85 | 110 | 130 | 180 | 220 |
123 | 90 | 115 | 140 | 195 | 240 |
132 | 100 | 125 | 155 | 210 | 260 |
148 | 110 | 140 | 170 | 235 | 290 |
165 | 120 | 150 | 185 | 255 | 320 |
181 | 130 | 165 | 200 | 275 | 345 |
198 | 135 | 175 | 215 | 290 | 360 |
220 | 140 | 185 | 225 | 305 | 380 |
242 | 145 | 190 | 230 | 315 | 395 |
Bench Press Average By Age
Age | Total weight |
20-29 | 100% of Body Weight |
30-39 | 90% of Body Weight |
40-49 | 80% of Body Weight |
50-59 | 75% of Body Weight |
Average Bench Press For Women.

According to Marsland, the bench press is one of the best exercises for building strength in women since it engages multiple muscle groups at once.
She recommends that women begin slowly and carefully, especially if they do not have a lot of upper-body strength already. In addition, dips, pushups, and other plank variations are also excellent ways to improve strength.
It is not a woman’s age but rather her size and fitness level that are the most important factors in determining her ability to bench press. The following is how the breakdown looks for females:
Body weight (lbs) | Untrained | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
97 | 50 | 65 | 75 | 95 | 115 |
105 | 55 | 70 | 80 | 100 | 125 |
114 | 60 | 75 | 85 | 110 | 135 |
123 | 65 | 80 | 90 | 115 | 140 |
132 | 70 | 85 | 95 | 125 | 150 |
148 | 75 | 90 | 105 | 135 | 165 |
165 | 85 | 95 | 115 | 145 | 185 |
181 | 85 | 110 | 120 | 160 | 195 |
198 | 90 | 115 | 130 | 165 | 205 |
How To Get Stronger.
Maintaining a consistent technique and adhering to the following guidelines will allow you to build the upper-body strength necessary to bench press heavier weights.
Increase In Size Step By Step.
Gradually add more weight to your body, but let go of whatever aspirations you might have for the near future. Always keep in mind that seeing results will take some time.
Consume Food That Is Good For You.
Consume a diet rich in freshly harvested fruits and vegetables. Include in your diet things like nutritious carbs, fats, and proteins, as well as items that help create lean muscle. Maintain a healthy level of hydration during your workout by consuming sufficient fluids before, during, and after your session.
Use Proper Form.
To accomplish this, put your feet firmly into the floor, gently arch your lower back, and press your shoulders and glutes into the bench at the same time.
You should work yourself up to the point of exhaustion without pushing yourself beyond your capabilities or overexerting yourself. You can determine the maximum number of reps you can perform with this calculator.
Make Sure That Your Regimen For Strengthening Is Varied.
You will be able to target your full body with the help of this. Aerobic exercise and stretches that promote flexibility should both be incorporated.

Between sets of weightlifting, you should give each of your major muscle groups at least one full day of rest. When you feel it’s essential, take rests in between sets. Exhale as you lift the weight, and then inhale as you lower the weight, since this will help you practice correct breathing.
Try To Get The Services Of A Trainer.
Marsland emphasizes the importance of working with a personal trainer since they can assist you in following a program and developing the most effective workout for your needs.
“They can give recommendations on technique,” she continues, “even subtle angles of their body that only a trainer will detect.” They are able to provide emotional support, which enables you to push yourself to lift heavier weights and ensures your safety by ensuring your body is in the appropriate position.
The RPE Scale Can Be Used.
To establish how much weight you are capable of lifting, Marsland suggests making use of a measure known as the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE). Since it is a thorough exercise, she emphasizes that you should employ the movement with your entire body, not just your arms, rather than simply the arms alone.
Marsland claims that her clients can lose up to 20 pounds after just a few sessions of employing the appropriate approach. She urges students to test their bodies in a variety of different ways while staying in the same setting in order to get the best possible results.
What Can Be Other Exercises Besides The Bench Press?
Although the bench press is considered to be one of the finest workouts for building muscular growth and strength in the chest, there are a variety of other exercises that can also be useful for the chest muscles.
You can do the bench press instead of these exercises, or you can do them in addition to the bench press, depending on which exercises you prefer and which equipment you have accessible.
Pec Deck.
Your chest muscles are worked in a manner analogous to that of the bench press when you perform the pec deck exercise. The seated position encourages correct posture and form, making it an excellent choice for novices as well as those who have suffered lower-body ailments.
Shoulders, arms, and the core are all strengthened by this exercise, which assists in actions involving the upper body.
Employ the appropriate form and the appropriate breathing techniques to guarantee your safety. If you have any concerns about the health of your shoulders, you should not perform this exercise. Try not to breathe too quickly or hold your breath.
Bent-Forward Cable Crossover
Your chest will be strengthened, toned, and tightened through the use of a pulley machine in this exercise. It aids in the improvement of balance as well as range of motion.
Move with deliberate slowness and consistency, and don’t go above your capabilities.
Experiment with different angles to target different muscles, but make sure your form is correct at all times.
Inclined Dumbbell Flyes
Flying with an inclined dumbbell works your upper chest as well as your shoulders. Your wrists and arms contribute to the stabilization of the movement.
You will be performing this exercise while lying flat on your back on an inclined bench. You would typically use dumbbells for this exercise, but you may also rig up a cable station on either side of the room.
The Bottom Line
Make use of these bench press averages as benchmarks in the creation of your own training program. Instead of focusing on raising the amount of weight you bench press, on improving your form.
Maintain coherence in your method, and keep in mind that you should choose steady progress over rapid advancement. Pay attention to what your body is telling you, and stop what you’re doing if it hurts. Take at least one complete day off to relax every week.
If you are just starting out or if you have any medical concerns that could be affected by weightlifting, you should talk to your doctor before beginning.
FAQs
What is a decent bench press weight?
A good bench press for an untrained physique athlete would be 0.80 to 1 times their body weight. This would be considered a solid workout. A good bench press, on the other hand, for trained physique athletes would be equivalent to about double their bodyweight.
What is the average weight a man can bench?
The typical weight that a man lifter will use for the bench press is 217 pounds (1RM). This is a pretty outstanding lift, and it moves you up to the Intermediate level on the Strength Scale. How would you describe a decent bench press? It is recommended that male novices shoot for a one-repetition maximum lift of 103 pounds, which is still impressive when compared to the average person.
What is a good bench press in KG?
The average number of repetitions a male of 20 years old can bench press is 1.4 times their body weight. The average amount that a female age 20 can bench press is equal to 0.9 times her body weight. Bench presses for males can vary anywhere from 78 kilograms (172 pounds) to 159 kilograms (350 pounds), while the weight range for women is 45 kilograms (99 pounds) to 74 kilograms (163 pounds).
How much should a beginner bench press?
It is possible to sustain an injury or even die prematurely if you bench more weight than you are intended to, thus it is important to begin with a moderate load and gradually increase it. If you have never performed a bench press before, start with a weight of roughly 22 pounds and focus on your form. Once you have gained more experience, you will be able to add more weight to your routine.
FAQs
Average Bench Press Weight Chart For Men, Women and Age? ›
The average Bench Press weight for a female lifter is 111 lb (1RM). This makes you Intermediate on Strength Level and is a very impressive lift. What is a good Bench Press? Female beginners should aim to lift 38 lb (1RM) which is still impressive compared to the general population.
How much weight should the average female bench press? ›The average Bench Press weight for a female lifter is 111 lb (1RM). This makes you Intermediate on Strength Level and is a very impressive lift. What is a good Bench Press? Female beginners should aim to lift 38 lb (1RM) which is still impressive compared to the general population.
How much should a 50 year old bench press? ›Or to put it another way, a 200-pound man who could bench press his full body weight in his 20s would be expected to press 180 pounds in his 30s, 160 pounds in his 40s and 150 pounds in his 50s.
How much can the average 20 year old woman bench press? ›The bench press average for a male 20-year-old is 1.4 times body weight. The bench press average for a female 20-year-old is 0.9 times body weight. Depending on the weight class, bench presses will range from 78kg (172lbs) to 159kg (350lbs) for men and 45kg (99lbs) to 74kg (163lbs) for women.
Is 135 a lot for a girl to bench? ›For women however, being able to bench 135 pounds is quite a feat – a clear sign that you have been training properly for a veritable length of time, and are of excellent upper body strength among your peers.
What is a decent bench press for a woman? ›Talking about women, for beginner lifters bench pressing 0.65 times their body weight would be considered pretty decent. For intermediate and advanced women lifters, this number will increase up to 0.70 or 1 times their body weight.
What is a good bench press weight by age? ›On average, men and women between 20 and 29 can bench press 100 percent of their body weight. The number goes down to 90 percent when they enter their 30s.
What is the bench press record for a 70 year old? ›At the World Classic Powerlifting Championships, in Helsingborg, Sweden in June 2019, John Terragni '65 set a new bench press world record for the Masters 4 (age 70+) -74/163 weight class. He benched 111kgs/244 lbs.
How much weight should a 60 year old man lift? ›It's designed to meet the needs of people in their 60s and up. And all you need are some light weights (about 5 to 10 pounds will suffice). The focus of this workout is on building strength, not necessarily bulking up. You'll notice that each exercise asks for six to eight reps, using a lighter dumbbell.
What is the world record bench press for a 60 year old? ›BOYNTON BEACH — At 60 years old, James Walker set a world record in November by bench-pressing 391.3 pounds at an international powerlifting competition in Las Vegas. He's now preparing to try to set another record; this time at the 2019 USA Powerlifting Boynton Barbell Championship in January.
How much can the average 50 year old woman bench press? ›
Age | Total weight |
---|---|
20–29 | 100 percent of your body weight |
30–39 | 90 percent of your body weight |
40–49 | 80 percent of your body weight |
50–59 | 75 percent of your body weight |
On average, a woman of approximately 160 pounds performing a maximal load bench press repetition of 225 would be placed in the elite category – showing that it is possible for a woman to bench press such an amount.
How much can the average woman man bench press? ›What is the average bench press? The average bench press is 220 lb for men and 104 lb for women. This makes you an intermediate lifter and stronger than 50% of StrengthLog's users.
What percentage of females can bench 135? ›According to Strength Level - Weightlifting Calculator (Bench/Squat/Deadlift) a 150 lb. female between ages 24 and 39 who can bench 135 lbs as her 1RM is in the top 24% of female lifters in the same class. It's a calculator so you can play with the weight, age range and reps to get an idea.
How much could a gorilla bench press? ›Fully grown silverbacks are in actually stronger than 20 adult humans combined. A Silverback gorilla can lift 4,000 lb (1,810 kg) on a bench press, while a well-trained man can only lift up to 885 lb (401.5 kg. Research shows that a gorilla can lift up to 27 times their full body weight.
How much should I bench for my weight? ›If you're simply looking to build the strength and fitness to live a healthy, functional life, a 1:1 ratio for bench press is a great place to start. But many elite athletes aim for two times their body weight and more.
How much can a female bench press by age 14? ›The average bench for male 14 year olds is 1.0 times bodyweight. The average bench strength of 14 year old females is 0.7 times bodyweight. Depending on the weight class, bench press will range from 54kg to 96kg for men and 36kg to 56kg for women.
How much should I bench for my weight and height? ›A benchmark for many lifters is hitting their 1:1 mass-to-weight ratio—basically, if you weigh 185 pounds, you can lift 185 pounds—for major lifts like squats, deadlifts, and bench press. The idea is if you can lift your body weight, you should have the functional ability to move and control your body well in space.
How much does a women's bench press bar weigh? ›A typical bench press bar should weigh 45 pounds. There is, though, a difference between male and female bench pressing bars. The male bench press bar is typically 45 pounds, and the female bench press bar weighs roughly 35 pounds.
How much weight can the average woman carry? ›As this shows, a 25 kg load being manually handled is considered to be a safe upper limit for the average man and 16 kg for the average woman.