Larsen Press vs Push Press Strength Standards

Larsen Press vs Push Press Strength Standards

The paired standards below show what the Larsen press and push 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 Larsen Press / Push Press in pounds with kilograms underneath. The calculator above handles exact bodyweight and set inputs.

Men’s Larsen Press vs Push Press Standards

How to read the table: Find the closest bodyweight, then use the labeled exercise row. Every strength-level entry shows one target with pounds first and kilograms beneath it.

Women’s Larsen Press vs Push Press Standards

How to read the table: Find the closest bodyweight, then use the labeled exercise row. Every strength-level entry shows one target with pounds first and kilograms beneath it.

How Your Larsen Press vs Push Press Result Is Calculated

Both lifts are scored independently first: estimated max, bodyweight-adjusted strength level, and progress toward the next level. Those ratings drive the comparison.

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 Larsen Press vs Push 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 Larsen press strength level

The Larsen 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.

3. Find the push press strength level

The standards use the sex-specific thresholds from the individual Push Press tool. Targets begin at 190 lb for men and 150 lb for women, then adjust to exact bodyweight with 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.

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

How Men’s Larsen Press and Push Press Standards Differ

How to read this chart: Choose a strength level and follow its line across bodyweight. Values show the Push Press standard minus the Larsen Press standard: zero means equal, above zero means the Push Press standard is higher, and below zero means the Larsen Press standard is higher. Swipe horizontally on mobile. Use the standards table for exact lb/kg targets.

How Women’s Larsen Press and Push Press Standards Differ

How to read this chart: Choose a strength level and follow its line across bodyweight. Values show the Push Press standard minus the Larsen Press standard: zero means equal, above zero means the Push Press standard is higher, and below zero means the Larsen Press standard is higher. Swipe horizontally on mobile. Use the standards table for exact lb/kg targets.

Larsen Press and Push Press Exercises Used by This Calculator

Compare like-for-like attempts by keeping the Larsen press and push press setup consistent with their individual rules. Use strict, repeatable Larsen Press and Push 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.

Keep both legs off the floor for every rep

Enter total straight-bar weight including bar and plates. Keep the upper back, shoulders, and hips controlled on a flat bench while both legs remain elevated or held off the floor. Lower to a consistent chest touch and press to full elbow lockout. Do not use foot contact, leg drive, hip bridge, bounce, boards, pins, partial reps, assistance, or a standard, paused, Spoto, floor, Smith-machine, dumbbell, or machine press substitution.

Use the exercise-specific Push Press setup and load convention

Barbell starts in the front rack position at the shoulders. A controlled dip is performed using the legs and hips before driving the bar upward. Leg drive initiates the bar path and the arms finish the lockout overhead. Each rep counts only when the bar is fully locked out overhead with elbows fully extended. The bar must remain under control throughout the full range of motion. Dip depth and technique must stay consistent across tests. Raw lifting only. Allowed equipment: barbell, rack, belt (optional), wrist wraps (optional), lifting shoes (optional). Excluded variations: strict overhead press (no leg drive), push jerk, split jerk, partial lockout reps, Smith machine pressing, and machine shoulder press variations. Estimated 1RM is calculated from the entered load and reps.

Enter one recent Larsen Press result and one recent Push Press result

First lift: total straight-bar weight and 1–12 strict reps. Second lift: total barbell load and 1–12 strict reps. Pounds or kilograms.

Related Tools

• Larsen Press — View the individual Larsen Press standards and next strength-level target.
• Barbell Push Press — View the individual Push Press standards and next strength-level target.
• Paused Barbell Bench Press — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Spoto Press — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Barbell Close-Grip Bench Press — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Barbell Floor Press — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.