Larsen Press vs Machine Chest Press Strength Standards
Compare your Larsen press and machine chest press against strength standards for your sex and bodyweight. Enter one recent set of 1–12 reps for each lift to see your estimated one-rep maxes, strength levels, next targets, and which lift you should prioritize.
Enter the canonical working weight and a whole number of strict repetitions for each exercise. Pounds and kilograms can be mixed. Use a strict flat-bench Larsen press from controlled chest touch to full elbow lockout with no foot contact or leg drive and a selectorized horizontal chest press with the handles aligned near mid-chest, controlled chest-depth movement, and full elbow extension. You can enter either lift in pounds or kilograms. Each lift is compared with its own standards, so the heavier lift is not automatically the stronger one.
Larsen Press vs Machine Chest Press Strength Standards by Bodyweight
Use these tables to compare the estimated one-rep max required for the Larsen press and machine chest press to reach the same strength level at each listed bodyweight. They show the targets used by the calculator—not a required difference between your Larsen press and machine chest press.
Choose the men’s or women’s table, find your bodyweight or the closest listed row, then read across to Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, or Elite. Every entry shows Larsen Press / Machine Chest Press, with pounds first and kilograms underneath. For a result based on your exact bodyweight and recent sets, use the calculator above; you do not need to test either true one-rep max.
Men’s Larsen Press vs Machine Chest Press Standards
How to read the table: The first number is Larsen Press; the second is Machine Chest Press. Each number is the lowest estimated one-rep max needed to reach that strength level. Scroll horizontally on smaller screens.
| Bodyweight | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | 77 / 109 lb 34.9 / 49.4 kg | 109 / 151 lb 49.4 / 68.5 kg | 143 / 200 lb 64.9 / 90.7 kg | 177 / 259 lb 80.3 / 117.5 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | 82 / 115 lb 37.2 / 52.2 kg | 115 / 159 lb 52.2 / 72.1 kg | 151 / 211 lb 68.5 / 95.7 kg | 187 / 273 lb 84.8 / 123.8 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | 86 / 121 lb 39 / 54.9 kg | 121 / 167 lb 54.9 / 75.7 kg | 158 / 222 lb 71.7 / 100.7 kg | 197 / 287 lb 89.4 / 130.2 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | 90 / 126 lb 40.8 / 57.2 kg | 126 / 175 lb 57.2 / 79.4 kg | 166 / 232 lb 75.3 / 105.2 kg | 206 / 301 lb 93.4 / 136.5 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | 94 / 132 lb 42.6 / 59.9 kg | 132 / 183 lb 59.9 / 83 kg | 173 / 243 lb 78.5 / 110.2 kg | 215 / 314 lb 97.5 / 142.4 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | 97 / 137 lb 44 / 62.1 kg | 137 / 190 lb 62.1 / 86.2 kg | 180 / 253 lb 81.6 / 114.8 kg | 224 / 327 lb 101.6 / 148.3 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | 101 / 143 lb 45.8 / 64.9 kg | 143 / 198 lb 64.9 / 89.8 kg | 187 / 262 lb 84.8 / 118.8 kg | 232 / 340 lb 105.2 / 154.2 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | 105 / 148 lb 47.6 / 67.1 kg | 148 / 205 lb 67.1 / 93 kg | 194 / 272 lb 88 / 123.4 kg | 241 / 352 lb 109.3 / 159.7 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | 109 / 153 lb 49.4 / 69.4 kg | 153 / 212 lb 69.4 / 96.2 kg | 201 / 281 lb 91.2 / 127.5 kg | 249 / 364 lb 112.9 / 165.1 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | 112 / 158 lb 50.8 / 71.7 kg | 158 / 219 lb 71.7 / 99.3 kg | 207 / 291 lb 93.9 / 132 kg | 258 / 376 lb 117 / 170.6 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | 116 / 163 lb 52.6 / 73.9 kg | 163 / 226 lb 73.9 / 102.5 kg | 214 / 300 lb 97.1 / 136.1 kg | 266 / 388 lb 120.7 / 176 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | 119 / 168 lb 54 / 76.2 kg | 168 / 233 lb 76.2 / 105.7 kg | 220 / 309 lb 99.8 / 140.2 kg | 274 / 400 lb 124.3 / 181.4 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | 123 / 173 lb 55.8 / 78.5 kg | 173 / 240 lb 78.5 / 108.9 kg | 227 / 318 lb 103 / 144.2 kg | 282 / 411 lb 127.9 / 186.4 kg |
| 250 lb 113.4 kg | 126 / 178 lb 57.2 / 80.7 kg | 178 / 246 lb 80.7 / 111.6 kg | 233 / 327 lb 105.7 / 148.3 kg | 289 / 423 lb 131.1 / 191.9 kg |
| 260 lb 117.9 kg | 129 / 182 lb 58.5 / 82.6 kg | 182 / 253 lb 82.6 / 114.8 kg | 239 / 335 lb 108.4 / 152 kg | 297 / 434 lb 134.7 / 196.9 kg |
| 270 lb 122.5 kg | 133 / 187 lb 60.3 / 84.8 kg | 187 / 259 lb 84.8 / 117.5 kg | 245 / 344 lb 111.1 / 156 kg | 305 / 445 lb 138.3 / 201.8 kg |
| 280 lb 127 kg | 136 / 192 lb 61.7 / 87.1 kg | 192 / 265 lb 87.1 / 120.2 kg | 251 / 352 lb 113.9 / 159.7 kg | 312 / 456 lb 141.5 / 206.8 kg |
| 290 lb 131.5 kg | 139 / 196 lb 63 / 88.9 kg | 196 / 272 lb 88.9 / 123.4 kg | 257 / 361 lb 116.6 / 163.7 kg | 319 / 467 lb 144.7 / 211.8 kg |
| 300 lb 136.1 kg | 142 / 201 lb 64.4 / 91.2 kg | 201 / 278 lb 91.2 / 126.1 kg | 263 / 369 lb 119.3 / 167.4 kg | 327 / 477 lb 148.3 / 216.4 kg |
Women’s Larsen Press vs Machine Chest Press Standards
How to read the table: The first number is Larsen Press; the second is Machine Chest Press. Each number is the lowest estimated one-rep max needed to reach that strength level. Scroll horizontally on smaller screens.
| Bodyweight | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 lb 45.4 kg | 39 / 60 lb 17.7 / 27.2 kg | 57 / 82 lb 25.9 / 37.2 kg | 78 / 112 lb 35.4 / 50.8 kg | 98 / 147 lb 44.5 / 66.7 kg |
| 110 lb 49.9 kg | 41 / 63 lb 18.6 / 28.6 kg | 61 / 88 lb 27.7 / 39.9 kg | 83 / 120 lb 37.6 / 54.4 kg | 105 / 156 lb 47.6 / 70.8 kg |
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | 44 / 67 lb 20 / 30.4 kg | 65 / 93 lb 29.5 / 42.2 kg | 88 / 127 lb 39.9 / 57.6 kg | 111 / 165 lb 50.3 / 74.8 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | 46 / 71 lb 20.9 / 32.2 kg | 68 / 98 lb 30.8 / 44.5 kg | 93 / 134 lb 42.2 / 60.8 kg | 117 / 175 lb 53.1 / 79.4 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | 49 / 74 lb 22.2 / 33.6 kg | 72 / 103 lb 32.7 / 46.7 kg | 97 / 140 lb 44 / 63.5 kg | 123 / 183 lb 55.8 / 83 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | 51 / 78 lb 23.1 / 35.4 kg | 75 / 108 lb 34 / 49 kg | 102 / 147 lb 46.3 / 66.7 kg | 129 / 192 lb 58.5 / 87.1 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | 53 / 81 lb 24 / 36.7 kg | 78 / 113 lb 35.4 / 51.3 kg | 106 / 153 lb 48.1 / 69.4 kg | 135 / 200 lb 61.2 / 90.7 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | 55 / 85 lb 24.9 / 38.6 kg | 82 / 117 lb 37.2 / 53.1 kg | 111 / 160 lb 50.3 / 72.6 kg | 140 / 209 lb 63.5 / 94.8 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | 58 / 88 lb 26.3 / 39.9 kg | 85 / 122 lb 38.6 / 55.3 kg | 115 / 166 lb 52.2 / 75.3 kg | 146 / 217 lb 66.2 / 98.4 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | 60 / 91 lb 27.2 / 41.3 kg | 88 / 126 lb 39.9 / 57.2 kg | 119 / 172 lb 54 / 78 kg | 151 / 225 lb 68.5 / 102.1 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | 62 / 94 lb 28.1 / 42.6 kg | 91 / 131 lb 41.3 / 59.4 kg | 124 / 178 lb 56.2 / 80.7 kg | 156 / 233 lb 70.8 / 105.7 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | 64 / 98 lb 29 / 44.5 kg | 94 / 135 lb 42.6 / 61.2 kg | 128 / 184 lb 58.1 / 83.5 kg | 161 / 240 lb 73 / 108.9 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | 66 / 101 lb 29.9 / 45.8 kg | 97 / 139 lb 44 / 63 kg | 132 / 190 lb 59.9 / 86.2 kg | 167 / 248 lb 75.7 / 112.5 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | 68 / 104 lb 30.8 / 47.2 kg | 100 / 144 lb 45.4 / 65.3 kg | 136 / 195 lb 61.7 / 88.5 kg | 172 / 255 lb 78 / 115.7 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | 70 / 107 lb 31.8 / 48.5 kg | 103 / 148 lb 46.7 / 67.1 kg | 140 / 201 lb 63.5 / 91.2 kg | 176 / 263 lb 79.8 / 119.3 kg |
How Your Larsen Press vs Machine Chest Press Result Is Calculated
The calculator estimates each max, rates it against the standards for that exercise and bodyweight, then compares the two ratings. Here is the complete process.
1. Estimate a one-rep max from each set
For one rep, it uses the weight entered. For 2–12 reps, it runs both formulas and keeps the lower, less aggressive estimate.
- Epley: weight × (1 + reps ÷ 30)
- Brzycki: weight × 36 ÷ (37 − reps)
A published back-squat study supports estimated-max prediction under its study conditions. It does not independently validate every exercise or population used by this comparison. Estimates are more dependable from clean, difficult, lower-rep sets. See the Back-squat formula validation study and Published discussion of back-squat one-rep-max prediction research.
2. Find the Larsen press strength level
The standards use the sex-specific strength levels from the individual Larsen Press tool. Targets begin at 190 lb for men and 150 lb for women, then adjust to your exact bodyweight: reference target × (user bodyweight ÷ reference bodyweight) to the two-thirds power.
The target rises more slowly than bodyweight so heavier lifters are expected to press more without requiring strength to increase pound for pound.
3. Find the machine chest press strength level
The machine chest press standards use the sex-specific standards from the individual Chest Press Machine tool. Targets begin at 190 lb for men and 150 lb for women, then adjust to your exact bodyweight: reference target × (user bodyweight ÷ reference bodyweight) to the two-thirds power.
The target rises more slowly than bodyweight so heavier lifters are expected to press more displayed resistance without requiring strength to increase pound for pound.
4. Compare the two results
Each max receives a level from Beginner through Elite. The lower-level lift is the priority. If the levels match, a priority appears only when one lift is at least 10 points farther from its next level. Otherwise, the result is Balanced.
The result shows which lift ranks lower, not why. Technique, fatigue, training history, and set quality can affect it. Age range is recorded anonymously but does not change the standards.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Estimate each max | Use the entered weight for 1 rep; for 2–12 reps, keep the lower formula result. |
| Rate the Larsen press | Adjust Larsen press targets to exact bodyweight with the two-thirds rule. |
| Rate the machine chest press | Adjust machine chest press targets to exact bodyweight with the two-thirds rule. |
| Compare different levels | Name the lower-level lift as the priority. |
| Compare matching levels | Use Balanced unless the difference in progress toward the next level reaches 10 points. |
Use the calculator above to see both estimated maxes, strength levels, the priority or Balanced result, and both next-level targets.
How Men’s Larsen Press and Machine Chest 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 machine chest press standard is higher; below zero means the Larsen 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:
The standards come closest at 120 lb.
Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Elite at every displayed bodyweight.
37.2 → 68.1 kg from 120 to 300 lb bodyweight.
How to read the table: Every number is the machine chest press standard minus the Larsen press standard. A plus sign means the machine chest press standard is higher. A minus sign means the Larsen press standard is higher.
| Bodyweight | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | +32 lb +14.5 kg | +42 lb +19.1 kg | +57 lb +25.8 kg | +82 lb +37.2 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | +33 lb +15 kg | +44 lb +19.9 kg | +60 lb +27.2 kg | +86 lb +39 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | +35 lb +15.9 kg | +46 lb +20.8 kg | +64 lb +29 kg | +90 lb +40.8 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | +36 lb +16.4 kg | +49 lb +22.2 kg | +66 lb +29.9 kg | +95 lb +43.1 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | +38 lb +17.3 kg | +51 lb +23.1 kg | +70 lb +31.7 kg | +99 lb +44.9 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | +40 lb +18.1 kg | +53 lb +24.1 kg | +73 lb +33.2 kg | +103 lb +46.7 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | +42 lb +19.1 kg | +55 lb +24.9 kg | +75 lb +34 kg | +108 lb +49 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | +43 lb +19.5 kg | +57 lb +25.9 kg | +78 lb +35.4 kg | +111 lb +50.4 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | +44 lb +20 kg | +59 lb +26.8 kg | +80 lb +36.3 kg | +115 lb +52.2 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | +46 lb +20.9 kg | +61 lb +27.6 kg | +84 lb +38.1 kg | +118 lb +53.6 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | +47 lb +21.3 kg | +63 lb +28.6 kg | +86 lb +39 kg | +122 lb +55.3 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | +49 lb +22.2 kg | +65 lb +29.5 kg | +89 lb +40.4 kg | +126 lb +57.1 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | +50 lb +22.7 kg | +67 lb +30.4 kg | +91 lb +41.2 kg | +129 lb +58.5 kg |
| 250 lb 113.4 kg | +52 lb +23.5 kg | +68 lb +30.9 kg | +94 lb +42.6 kg | +134 lb +60.8 kg |
| 260 lb 117.9 kg | +53 lb +24.1 kg | +71 lb +32.2 kg | +96 lb +43.6 kg | +137 lb +62.2 kg |
| 270 lb 122.5 kg | +54 lb +24.5 kg | +72 lb +32.7 kg | +99 lb +44.9 kg | +140 lb +63.5 kg |
| 280 lb 127 kg | +56 lb +25.4 kg | +73 lb +33.1 kg | +101 lb +45.8 kg | +144 lb +65.3 kg |
| 290 lb 131.5 kg | +57 lb +25.9 kg | +76 lb +34.5 kg | +104 lb +47.1 kg | +148 lb +67.1 kg |
| 300 lb 136.1 kg | +59 lb +26.8 kg | +77 lb +34.9 kg | +106 lb +48.1 kg | +150 lb +68.1 kg |
How Women’s Larsen Press and Machine Chest Press Standards Differ
What the women’s data shows:
The standards come closest at 100 lb.
Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Elite at every displayed bodyweight.
22.2 → 39.5 kg from 100 to 240 lb bodyweight.
How to read the table: Every number is the machine chest press standard minus the Larsen press standard. A plus sign means the machine chest press standard is higher. A minus sign means the Larsen press standard is higher.
| Bodyweight | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 lb 45.4 kg | +21 lb +9.5 kg | +25 lb +11.3 kg | +34 lb +15.4 kg | +49 lb +22.2 kg |
| 110 lb 49.9 kg | +22 lb +10 kg | +27 lb +12.2 kg | +37 lb +16.8 kg | +51 lb +23.2 kg |
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | +23 lb +10.4 kg | +28 lb +12.7 kg | +39 lb +17.7 kg | +54 lb +24.5 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | +25 lb +11.3 kg | +30 lb +13.7 kg | +41 lb +18.6 kg | +58 lb +26.3 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | +25 lb +11.4 kg | +31 lb +14 kg | +43 lb +19.5 kg | +60 lb +27.2 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | +27 lb +12.3 kg | +33 lb +15 kg | +45 lb +20.4 kg | +63 lb +28.6 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | +28 lb +12.7 kg | +35 lb +15.9 kg | +47 lb +21.3 kg | +65 lb +29.5 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | +30 lb +13.7 kg | +35 lb +15.9 kg | +49 lb +22.3 kg | +69 lb +31.3 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | +30 lb +13.6 kg | +37 lb +16.7 kg | +51 lb +23.1 kg | +71 lb +32.2 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | +31 lb +14.1 kg | +38 lb +17.3 kg | +53 lb +24 kg | +74 lb +33.6 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | +32 lb +14.5 kg | +40 lb +18.1 kg | +54 lb +24.5 kg | +77 lb +34.9 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | +34 lb +15.5 kg | +41 lb +18.6 kg | +56 lb +25.4 kg | +79 lb +35.9 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | +35 lb +15.9 kg | +42 lb +19 kg | +58 lb +26.3 kg | +81 lb +36.8 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | +36 lb +16.4 kg | +44 lb +19.9 kg | +59 lb +26.8 kg | +83 lb +37.7 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | +37 lb +16.7 kg | +45 lb +20.4 kg | +61 lb +27.7 kg | +87 lb +39.5 kg |
Larsen Press and Machine Chest Press Exercises Used by This Calculator
This calculator uses a strict Larsen press and a selectorized chest press machine set. Use strict canonical Larsen Press and Machine Chest Press tests. 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 a selectorized horizontal chest press
Set the seat so the handles align near mid-chest. Keep the torso and head against the pad and feet planted, lower both handles under control to chest-depth equivalent, and press to full elbow extension. Do not enter a plate-loaded, iso-lateral, Smith-machine, incline, decline, or partial press.
Enter one recent Larsen Press result and one recent Machine Chest Press result
Enter the canonical working weight and a whole number of strict repetitions for each exercise. Pounds and kilograms can be mixed.
Related Tools
- Larsen Press — View the individual Larsen Press standards and next strength-level target.
- Chest Press Machine — View the individual Machine Chest Press standards and next strength-level target.
- Paused Barbell Bench Press — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Spoto Press — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Barbell Close-Grip Bench Press — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Barbell Floor Press — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.