Endura

Plate Loaded Shoulder Press vs Standing Strict Barbell Overhead Press Strength Standards

Compare your plate loaded shoulder press and standing overhead press against strength standards for your sex and bodyweight. Enter one recent set of 1–12 reps for each lift to see estimated one-rep maxes, strength levels, next targets, and priority.

First lift: weight used and 1–12 strict reps. Second lift: total barbell weight including bar and plates and 1–12 strict reps. Pounds or kilograms. For the first exercise, complete strict plate loaded shoulder press repetitions through full range with a stable setup, controlled weight, and no assistance. For the second exercise, keep the feet planted and torso upright, start at the shoulders, and finish at full elbow lockout. Each lift is compared with its own standards, so the heavier lift is not automatically the stronger one.

Plate Loaded Shoulder Press vs Standing Overhead Press Strength Standards by Bodyweight

The paired standards below show what the plate loaded shoulder press and standing overhead press each require at the same strength level. They are separate exercise targets rather than a prescribed difference between your lifts.

Select the appropriate sex table and nearest bodyweight, then choose a strength-level column. Values are ordered Plate Loaded Shoulder Press / Standing Overhead Press in pounds with kilograms underneath. The calculator above handles exact bodyweight and set inputs.

Men’s Plate Loaded Shoulder Press vs Standing Overhead Press Standards

How to read the table: The first number is Plate Loaded Shoulder Press; the second is Standing Overhead Press. Each number is the lowest estimated one-rep max needed to reach that strength level. Scroll horizontally on smaller screens.

BodyweightNoviceIntermediateAdvancedElite
120 lb
54.4 kg
59 / 76 lb
26.8 / 34.5 kg
87 / 90 lb
39.5 / 40.8 kg
118 / 105 lb
53.5 / 47.6 kg
151 / 132 lb
68.5 / 59.9 kg
130 lb
59 kg
62 / 80 lb
28.1 / 36.3 kg
92 / 95 lb
41.7 / 43.1 kg
124 / 111 lb
56.2 / 50.3 kg
159 / 139 lb
72.1 / 63 kg
140 lb
63.5 kg
65 / 84 lb
29.5 / 38.1 kg
96 / 100 lb
43.5 / 45.4 kg
131 / 117 lb
59.4 / 53.1 kg
167 / 146 lb
75.7 / 66.2 kg
150 lb
68 kg
68 / 88 lb
30.8 / 39.9 kg
101 / 104 lb
45.8 / 47.2 kg
137 / 122 lb
62.1 / 55.3 kg
175 / 153 lb
79.4 / 69.4 kg
160 lb
72.6 kg
71 / 92 lb
32.2 / 41.7 kg
105 / 109 lb
47.6 / 49.4 kg
143 / 128 lb
64.9 / 58.1 kg
183 / 160 lb
83 / 72.6 kg
170 lb
77.1 kg
74 / 96 lb
33.6 / 43.5 kg
110 / 113 lb
49.9 / 51.3 kg
149 / 133 lb
67.6 / 60.3 kg
190 / 166 lb
86.2 / 75.3 kg
180 lb
81.6 kg
77 / 99 lb
34.9 / 44.9 kg
114 / 118 lb
51.7 / 53.5 kg
154 / 138 lb
69.9 / 62.6 kg
198 / 173 lb
89.8 / 78.5 kg
190 lb
86.2 kg
80 / 103 lb
36.3 / 46.7 kg
118 / 122 lb
53.5 / 55.3 kg
160 / 143 lb
72.6 / 64.9 kg
205 / 179 lb
93 / 81.2 kg
200 lb
90.7 kg
83 / 107 lb
37.6 / 48.5 kg
122 / 126 lb
55.3 / 57.2 kg
166 / 148 lb
75.3 / 67.1 kg
212 / 185 lb
96.2 / 83.9 kg
210 lb
95.3 kg
86 / 110 lb
39 / 49.9 kg
126 / 130 lb
57.2 / 59 kg
171 / 153 lb
77.6 / 69.4 kg
219 / 191 lb
99.3 / 86.6 kg
220 lb
99.8 kg
88 / 114 lb
39.9 / 51.7 kg
130 / 135 lb
59 / 61.2 kg
176 / 158 lb
79.8 / 71.7 kg
226 / 197 lb
102.5 / 89.4 kg
230 lb
104.3 kg
91 / 117 lb
41.3 / 53.1 kg
134 / 139 lb
60.8 / 63 kg
182 / 162 lb
82.6 / 73.5 kg
233 / 203 lb
105.7 / 92.1 kg
240 lb
108.9 kg
93 / 120 lb
42.2 / 54.4 kg
138 / 143 lb
62.6 / 64.9 kg
187 / 167 lb
84.8 / 75.7 kg
240 / 209 lb
108.9 / 94.8 kg
250 lb
113.4 kg
96 / 124 lb
43.5 / 56.2 kg
142 / 146 lb
64.4 / 66.2 kg
192 / 172 lb
87.1 / 78 kg
246 / 215 lb
111.6 / 97.5 kg
260 lb
117.9 kg
99 / 127 lb
44.9 / 57.6 kg
145 / 150 lb
65.8 / 68 kg
197 / 176 lb
89.4 / 79.8 kg
253 / 221 lb
114.8 / 100.2 kg
270 lb
122.5 kg
101 / 130 lb
45.8 / 59 kg
149 / 154 lb
67.6 / 69.9 kg
202 / 181 lb
91.6 / 82.1 kg
259 / 226 lb
117.5 / 102.5 kg
280 lb
127 kg
104 / 133 lb
47.2 / 60.3 kg
153 / 158 lb
69.4 / 71.7 kg
207 / 185 lb
93.9 / 83.9 kg
265 / 232 lb
120.2 / 105.2 kg
290 lb
131.5 kg
106 / 137 lb
48.1 / 62.1 kg
156 / 162 lb
70.8 / 73.5 kg
212 / 190 lb
96.2 / 86.2 kg
272 / 237 lb
123.4 / 107.5 kg
300 lb
136.1 kg
108 / 140 lb
49 / 63.5 kg
160 / 165 lb
72.6 / 74.8 kg
217 / 194 lb
98.4 / 88 kg
278 / 243 lb
126.1 / 110.2 kg

Women’s Plate Loaded Shoulder Press vs Standing Overhead Press Standards

How to read the table: The first number is Plate Loaded Shoulder Press; the second is Standing Overhead Press. Each number is the lowest estimated one-rep max needed to reach that strength level. Scroll horizontally on smaller screens.

BodyweightNoviceIntermediateAdvancedElite
100 lb
45.4 kg
27 / 37 lb
12.2 / 16.8 kg
43 / 45 lb
19.5 / 20.4 kg
63 / 55 lb
28.6 / 24.9 kg
85 / 72 lb
38.6 / 32.7 kg
110 lb
49.9 kg
29 / 39 lb
13.2 / 17.7 kg
46 / 48 lb
20.9 / 21.8 kg
67 / 59 lb
30.4 / 26.8 kg
90 / 77 lb
40.8 / 34.9 kg
120 lb
54.4 kg
31 / 41 lb
14.1 / 18.6 kg
49 / 51 lb
22.2 / 23.1 kg
72 / 62 lb
32.7 / 28.1 kg
96 / 82 lb
43.5 / 37.2 kg
130 lb
59 kg
33 / 44 lb
15 / 20 kg
52 / 54 lb
23.6 / 24.5 kg
75 / 65 lb
34 / 29.5 kg
101 / 86 lb
45.8 / 39 kg
140 lb
63.5 kg
34 / 46 lb
15.4 / 20.9 kg
54 / 56 lb
24.5 / 25.4 kg
79 / 69 lb
35.8 / 31.3 kg
106 / 91 lb
48.1 / 41.3 kg
150 lb
68 kg
36 / 48 lb
16.3 / 21.8 kg
57 / 59 lb
25.9 / 26.8 kg
83 / 72 lb
37.6 / 32.7 kg
111 / 95 lb
50.3 / 43.1 kg
160 lb
72.6 kg
38 / 50 lb
17.2 / 22.7 kg
60 / 62 lb
27.2 / 28.1 kg
87 / 75 lb
39.5 / 34 kg
116 / 99 lb
52.6 / 44.9 kg
170 lb
77.1 kg
39 / 52 lb
17.7 / 23.6 kg
62 / 64 lb
28.1 / 29 kg
90 / 78 lb
40.8 / 35.4 kg
121 / 103 lb
54.9 / 46.7 kg
180 lb
81.6 kg
41 / 54 lb
18.6 / 24.5 kg
64 / 67 lb
29 / 30.4 kg
94 / 81 lb
42.6 / 36.7 kg
125 / 107 lb
56.7 / 48.5 kg
190 lb
86.2 kg
42 / 56 lb
19.1 / 25.4 kg
67 / 69 lb
30.4 / 31.3 kg
97 / 84 lb
44 / 38.1 kg
130 / 111 lb
59 / 50.3 kg
200 lb
90.7 kg
44 / 58 lb
20 / 26.3 kg
69 / 71 lb
31.3 / 32.2 kg
101 / 87 lb
45.8 / 39.5 kg
134 / 115 lb
60.8 / 52.2 kg
210 lb
95.3 kg
45 / 60 lb
20.4 / 27.2 kg
71 / 74 lb
32.2 / 33.6 kg
104 / 90 lb
47.2 / 40.8 kg
139 / 119 lb
63 / 54 kg
220 lb
99.8 kg
46 / 62 lb
20.9 / 28.1 kg
74 / 76 lb
33.6 / 34.5 kg
107 / 93 lb
48.5 / 42.2 kg
143 / 123 lb
64.9 / 55.8 kg
230 lb
104.3 kg
48 / 64 lb
21.8 / 29 kg
76 / 78 lb
34.5 / 35.4 kg
110 / 96 lb
49.9 / 43.5 kg
148 / 126 lb
67.1 / 57.2 kg
240 lb
108.9 kg
49 / 66 lb
22.2 / 29.9 kg
78 / 81 lb
35.4 / 36.7 kg
114 / 98 lb
51.7 / 44.5 kg
152 / 130 lb
68.9 / 59 kg

How Your Plate Loaded Shoulder Press vs Standing Overhead Press Result Is Calculated

The calculator estimates both one-rep maxes, rates each one against its exercise and bodyweight standards, and then compares the two ratings.

1. Estimate a one-rep max from each set

When the set contains one rep, the entered load is the estimate. For 2–12 reps, the calculator keeps the less aggressive of the two formula results.

  • Epley: weight × (1 + reps ÷ 30)
  • Brzycki: weight × 36 ÷ (37 − reps)

Set quality matters for this Plate Loaded Shoulder Press vs Standing Overhead Press comparison. Enter technically consistent, challenging sets, and prefer lower-rep results when practical because the estimate extends less far beyond the performed set.

2. Find the plate loaded shoulder press strength level

The plate loaded shoulder press rating uses its sex-specific exercise standards. Reference targets at 190 lb for men and 150 lb for women are scaled to the entered bodyweight by reference target × (user bodyweight ÷ reference bodyweight) to the two-thirds power.

This adjustment expects larger lifters to move more weight, but it does not increase the target pound for pound with bodyweight.

3. Find the standing overhead press strength level

The standing overhead press rating uses its sex-specific exercise standards. Reference targets at 190 lb for men and 150 lb for women are scaled to the entered bodyweight by reference target × (user bodyweight ÷ reference bodyweight) to the two-thirds power.

Two-thirds scaling raises the target as bodyweight rises while limiting the size advantage that a direct one-to-one adjustment would create.

4. Compare the two results

Each max receives a level from Beginner through Elite. The lower-level lift becomes the priority. At matching levels, a priority appears only when one lift is at least 10 points farther from its next level; otherwise the result is Balanced.

Treat the result as a training comparison rather than an explanation of why one lift trails. Set quality, fatigue, skill, and training exposure all matter. Age range is recorded anonymously but does not change these standards.

StageWhat happens
Estimate each maxUse the entered weight for 1 rep; for 2–12 reps, keep the lower formula result.
Rate the plate loaded shoulder pressUse the exercise-specific estimated max and adjust targets to exact bodyweight with the two-thirds scaling rule.
Rate the standing overhead pressAdjust strict standing barbell overhead press targets to exact bodyweight with the two-thirds rule.
Compare different levelsName the lower-level lift as the priority.
Compare matching levelsUse Balanced unless the difference in progress toward the next level reaches 10 points.

Enter both sets above to see the estimated maxes, assigned levels, next-level targets, and comparison result.

How Men’s Plate Loaded Shoulder Press and Standing Overhead Press Standards Differ

How to read both charts: Choose a strength level, find bodyweight along the bottom, and follow that level’s line. Zero means the two standards are equal. Above zero means the standing overhead press standard is higher; below zero means the plate loaded shoulder press standard is higher. On a phone, swipe the chart left and right to inspect the full-size lines and labels. The tables provide the exact pounds and kilograms.

What the men’s data shows:

Novice closest match120 lb

The standards come closest at 120 lb.

Standing Overhead Press target is higher2 strength levels

The higher target remains with Standing Overhead Press for Novice and Intermediate throughout the table.

Elite difference19 → 35 lb

Across 120–300 lb bodyweight, the Elite gap changes from 8.6 to 15.9 kg.

How men’s plate loaded shoulder press and standing overhead press standards differ by bodyweightFour colored lines show the difference in pounds between the standing overhead press and plate loaded shoulder press standards at Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Elite. Zero means the two standards are equal. Above zero means the standing overhead press standard is higher. Below zero means the plate loaded shoulder press standard is higher.NoviceIntermediateAdvancedElite−40−200+20+40120140160180200220240260280300Bodyweight (lb)Difference between standards (lb)

How to read the table: Every number is the standing overhead press standard minus the plate loaded shoulder press standard. A plus sign means the standing overhead press standard is higher. A minus sign means the plate loaded shoulder press standard is higher.

BodyweightNoviceIntermediateAdvancedElite
120 lb
54.4 kg
+17 lb
+7.7 kg
+3 lb
+1.3 kg
−13 lb
−5.9 kg
−19 lb
−8.6 kg
130 lb
59 kg
+18 lb
+8.2 kg
+3 lb
+1.4 kg
−13 lb
−5.9 kg
−20 lb
−9.1 kg
140 lb
63.5 kg
+19 lb
+8.6 kg
+4 lb
+1.9 kg
−14 lb
−6.3 kg
−21 lb
−9.5 kg
150 lb
68 kg
+20 lb
+9.1 kg
+3 lb
+1.4 kg
−15 lb
−6.8 kg
−22 lb
−10 kg
160 lb
72.6 kg
+21 lb
+9.5 kg
+4 lb
+1.8 kg
−15 lb
−6.8 kg
−23 lb
−10.4 kg
170 lb
77.1 kg
+22 lb
+9.9 kg
+3 lb
+1.4 kg
−16 lb
−7.3 kg
−24 lb
−10.9 kg
180 lb
81.6 kg
+22 lb
+10 kg
+4 lb
+1.8 kg
−16 lb
−7.3 kg
−25 lb
−11.3 kg
190 lb
86.2 kg
+23 lb
+10.4 kg
+4 lb
+1.8 kg
−17 lb
−7.7 kg
−26 lb
−11.8 kg
200 lb
90.7 kg
+24 lb
+10.9 kg
+4 lb
+1.9 kg
−18 lb
−8.2 kg
−27 lb
−12.3 kg
210 lb
95.3 kg
+24 lb
+10.9 kg
+4 lb
+1.8 kg
−18 lb
−8.2 kg
−28 lb
−12.7 kg
220 lb
99.8 kg
+26 lb
+11.8 kg
+5 lb
+2.2 kg
−18 lb
−8.1 kg
−29 lb
−13.1 kg
230 lb
104.3 kg
+26 lb
+11.8 kg
+5 lb
+2.2 kg
−20 lb
−9.1 kg
−30 lb
−13.6 kg
240 lb
108.9 kg
+27 lb
+12.2 kg
+5 lb
+2.3 kg
−20 lb
−9.1 kg
−31 lb
−14.1 kg
250 lb
113.4 kg
+28 lb
+12.7 kg
+4 lb
+1.8 kg
−20 lb
−9.1 kg
−31 lb
−14.1 kg
260 lb
117.9 kg
+28 lb
+12.7 kg
+5 lb
+2.2 kg
−21 lb
−9.6 kg
−32 lb
−14.6 kg
270 lb
122.5 kg
+29 lb
+13.2 kg
+5 lb
+2.3 kg
−21 lb
−9.5 kg
−33 lb
−15 kg
280 lb
127 kg
+29 lb
+13.1 kg
+5 lb
+2.3 kg
−22 lb
−10 kg
−33 lb
−15 kg
290 lb
131.5 kg
+31 lb
+14 kg
+6 lb
+2.7 kg
−22 lb
−10 kg
−35 lb
−15.9 kg
300 lb
136.1 kg
+32 lb
+14.5 kg
+5 lb
+2.2 kg
−23 lb
−10.4 kg
−35 lb
−15.9 kg

How Women’s Plate Loaded Shoulder Press and Standing Overhead Press Standards Differ

What the women’s data shows:

Novice closest match100 lb

The standards come closest at 100 lb.

Standing Overhead Press target is higher2 strength levels

Novice and Intermediate at every displayed bodyweight.

Elite difference13 → 22 lb

At Elite, the difference is 5.9 kg at 100 lb and 9.9 kg at 240 lb.

How women’s plate loaded shoulder press and standing overhead press standards differ by bodyweightFour colored lines show the difference in pounds between the standing overhead press and plate loaded shoulder press standards at Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Elite. Zero means the two standards are equal. Above zero means the standing overhead press standard is higher. Below zero means the plate loaded shoulder press standard is higher.NoviceIntermediateAdvancedElite−30−20−100+10+20100120140160180200220240Bodyweight (lb)Difference between standards (lb)

How to read the table: Every number is the standing overhead press standard minus the plate loaded shoulder press standard. A plus sign means the standing overhead press standard is higher. A minus sign means the plate loaded shoulder press standard is higher.

BodyweightNoviceIntermediateAdvancedElite
100 lb
45.4 kg
+10 lb
+4.6 kg
+2 lb
+0.9 kg
−8 lb
−3.7 kg
−13 lb
−5.9 kg
110 lb
49.9 kg
+10 lb
+4.5 kg
+2 lb
+0.9 kg
−8 lb
−3.6 kg
−13 lb
−5.9 kg
120 lb
54.4 kg
+10 lb
+4.5 kg
+2 lb
+0.9 kg
−10 lb
−4.6 kg
−14 lb
−6.3 kg
130 lb
59 kg
+11 lb
+5 kg
+2 lb
+0.9 kg
−10 lb
−4.5 kg
−15 lb
−6.8 kg
140 lb
63.5 kg
+12 lb
+5.5 kg
+2 lb
+0.9 kg
−10 lb
−4.5 kg
−15 lb
−6.8 kg
150 lb
68 kg
+12 lb
+5.5 kg
+2 lb
+0.9 kg
−11 lb
−4.9 kg
−16 lb
−7.2 kg
160 lb
72.6 kg
+12 lb
+5.5 kg
+2 lb
+0.9 kg
−12 lb
−5.5 kg
−17 lb
−7.7 kg
170 lb
77.1 kg
+13 lb
+5.9 kg
+2 lb
+0.9 kg
−12 lb
−5.4 kg
−18 lb
−8.2 kg
180 lb
81.6 kg
+13 lb
+5.9 kg
+3 lb
+1.4 kg
−13 lb
−5.9 kg
−18 lb
−8.2 kg
190 lb
86.2 kg
+14 lb
+6.3 kg
+2 lb
+0.9 kg
−13 lb
−5.9 kg
−19 lb
−8.7 kg
200 lb
90.7 kg
+14 lb
+6.3 kg
+2 lb
+0.9 kg
−14 lb
−6.3 kg
−19 lb
−8.6 kg
210 lb
95.3 kg
+15 lb
+6.8 kg
+3 lb
+1.4 kg
−14 lb
−6.4 kg
−20 lb
−9 kg
220 lb
99.8 kg
+16 lb
+7.2 kg
+2 lb
+0.9 kg
−14 lb
−6.3 kg
−20 lb
−9.1 kg
230 lb
104.3 kg
+16 lb
+7.2 kg
+2 lb
+0.9 kg
−14 lb
−6.4 kg
−22 lb
−9.9 kg
240 lb
108.9 kg
+17 lb
+7.7 kg
+3 lb
+1.3 kg
−16 lb
−7.2 kg
−22 lb
−9.9 kg

Plate Loaded Shoulder Press and Standing Overhead Press Exercises Used by This Calculator

For a useful comparison, perform a strict plate loaded shoulder press and a strict standing overhead press using the setup and load rules below. Use strict, repeatable Plate Loaded Shoulder Press and Standing Overhead Press tests that follow each exercise’s setup, range of motion, equipment, and load rules. Do not mix variations, assistance, partial range, momentum, or different load conventions.

Use the Plate Loaded Shoulder Press setup and load convention

The total active plate-loaded machine resistance used for the overhead press. Valid bilateral machine shoulder press reps. Press the machine handles overhead without leg drive, partial lockout, per-side entry errors, chest-press substitution, seat drift, or bounced returns. Consistent setup, range, and finish quality across the entered set. No substituted exercise or assisted reps.

Use the Standing Strict Barbell Overhead Press setup and load convention

Standing strict barbell overhead press only. No knee dip or leg drive; press from shoulders to full elbow lockout. Keep torso upright and feet planted; head may move to clear the bar path. No push press, split press, seated press, or dumbbell/kettlebell variants. If reps > 1 are entered, 1RM is estimated from reps and load.

Enter one recent Plate Loaded Shoulder Press result and one recent Standing Overhead Press result

Use the correct input for each exercise: Weight used and a whole number from 1 to 12 reps for Plate Loaded Shoulder Press and Total barbell weight including bar and plates and a whole number from 1 to 12 reps for Standing Overhead Press.

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