Arnold Press vs Seated Barbell Overhead Press Strength Standards
Compare your arnold press and seated barbell overhead 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.
Use each exercise's canonical input: Weight per dumbbell for Arnold Press and Total barbell load for Seated Barbell Overhead Press. Use a strict, repeatable arnold press set that follows the canonical setup, range, and lockout rules and Barbell starts at the upper chest/clavicle with lifter seated upright on a bench.. 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.
Arnold Press vs Seated Barbell Overhead Press Strength Standards by Bodyweight
Use these tables to compare the estimated one-rep max required for the arnold press and seated barbell overhead 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 arnold press and seated barbell overhead 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 Arnold Press / Seated Barbell Overhead 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 Arnold Press vs Seated Barbell Overhead Press Standards
How to read the table: The first number is Arnold Press; the second is Seated Barbell Overhead 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 | 38 / 56 lb 17.2 / 25.4 kg | 50 / 81 lb 22.7 / 36.7 kg | 64 / 98 lb 29 / 44.5 kg | 87 / 116 lb 39.5 / 52.6 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | 40 / 59 lb 18.1 / 26.8 kg | 53 / 85 lb 24 / 38.6 kg | 68 / 103 lb 30.8 / 46.7 kg | 92 / 123 lb 41.7 / 55.8 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | 42 / 62 lb 19.1 / 28.1 kg | 55 / 90 lb 24.9 / 40.8 kg | 71 / 109 lb 32.2 / 49.4 kg | 96 / 129 lb 43.5 / 58.5 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | 44 / 65 lb 20 / 29.5 kg | 58 / 94 lb 26.3 / 42.6 kg | 74 / 114 lb 33.6 / 51.7 kg | 101 / 135 lb 45.8 / 61.2 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | 45 / 68 lb 20.4 / 30.8 kg | 61 / 98 lb 27.7 / 44.5 kg | 78 / 119 lb 35.4 / 54 kg | 105 / 141 lb 47.6 / 64 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | 47 / 71 lb 21.3 / 32.2 kg | 63 / 102 lb 28.6 / 46.3 kg | 81 / 123 lb 36.7 / 55.8 kg | 110 / 147 lb 49.9 / 66.7 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | 49 / 73 lb 22.2 / 33.1 kg | 66 / 106 lb 29.9 / 48.1 kg | 84 / 128 lb 38.1 / 58.1 kg | 114 / 152 lb 51.7 / 68.9 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | 51 / 76 lb 23.1 / 34.5 kg | 68 / 110 lb 30.8 / 49.9 kg | 87 / 133 lb 39.5 / 60.3 kg | 118 / 158 lb 53.5 / 71.7 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | 53 / 79 lb 24 / 35.8 kg | 70 / 114 lb 31.8 / 51.7 kg | 90 / 138 lb 40.8 / 62.6 kg | 122 / 163 lb 55.3 / 73.9 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | 55 / 81 lb 24.9 / 36.7 kg | 73 / 118 lb 33.1 / 53.5 kg | 93 / 142 lb 42.2 / 64.4 kg | 126 / 169 lb 57.2 / 76.7 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | 56 / 84 lb 25.4 / 38.1 kg | 75 / 121 lb 34 / 54.9 kg | 96 / 147 lb 43.5 / 66.7 kg | 130 / 174 lb 59 / 78.9 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | 58 / 86 lb 26.3 / 39 kg | 77 / 125 lb 34.9 / 56.7 kg | 99 / 151 lb 44.9 / 68.5 kg | 134 / 179 lb 60.8 / 81.2 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | 60 / 89 lb 27.2 / 40.4 kg | 79 / 129 lb 35.8 / 58.5 kg | 102 / 155 lb 46.3 / 70.3 kg | 138 / 185 lb 62.6 / 83.9 kg |
| 250 lb 113.4 kg | 61 / 91 lb 27.7 / 41.3 kg | 82 / 132 lb 37.2 / 59.9 kg | 104 / 160 lb 47.2 / 72.6 kg | 142 / 190 lb 64.4 / 86.2 kg |
| 260 lb 117.9 kg | 63 / 94 lb 28.6 / 42.6 kg | 84 / 136 lb 38.1 / 61.7 kg | 107 / 164 lb 48.5 / 74.4 kg | 145 / 195 lb 65.8 / 88.5 kg |
| 270 lb 122.5 kg | 64 / 96 lb 29 / 43.5 kg | 86 / 139 lb 39 / 63 kg | 110 / 168 lb 49.9 / 76.2 kg | 149 / 200 lb 67.6 / 90.7 kg |
| 280 lb 127 kg | 66 / 98 lb 29.9 / 44.5 kg | 88 / 142 lb 39.9 / 64.4 kg | 113 / 172 lb 51.3 / 78 kg | 153 / 205 lb 69.4 / 93 kg |
| 290 lb 131.5 kg | 68 / 101 lb 30.8 / 45.8 kg | 90 / 146 lb 40.8 / 66.2 kg | 115 / 176 lb 52.2 / 79.8 kg | 156 / 209 lb 70.8 / 94.8 kg |
| 300 lb 136.1 kg | 69 / 103 lb 31.3 / 46.7 kg | 92 / 149 lb 41.7 / 67.6 kg | 118 / 180 lb 53.5 / 81.6 kg | 160 / 214 lb 72.6 / 97.1 kg |
Women’s Arnold Press vs Seated Barbell Overhead Press Standards
How to read the table: The first number is Arnold Press; the second is Seated Barbell Overhead 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 | 16 / 24 lb 7.3 / 10.9 kg | 25 / 39 lb 11.3 / 17.7 kg | 32 / 50 lb 14.5 / 22.7 kg | 46 / 61 lb 20.9 / 27.7 kg |
| 110 lb 49.9 kg | 17 / 26 lb 7.7 / 11.8 kg | 27 / 41 lb 12.2 / 18.6 kg | 34 / 53 lb 15.4 / 24 kg | 49 / 65 lb 22.2 / 29.5 kg |
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | 18 / 28 lb 8.2 / 12.7 kg | 28 / 44 lb 12.7 / 20 kg | 36 / 56 lb 16.3 / 25.4 kg | 52 / 69 lb 23.6 / 31.3 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | 19 / 29 lb 8.6 / 13.2 kg | 30 / 46 lb 13.6 / 20.9 kg | 38 / 59 lb 17.2 / 26.8 kg | 55 / 73 lb 24.9 / 33.1 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | 20 / 31 lb 9.1 / 14.1 kg | 32 / 49 lb 14.5 / 22.2 kg | 40 / 62 lb 18.1 / 28.1 kg | 57 / 76 lb 25.9 / 34.5 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | 21 / 32 lb 9.5 / 14.5 kg | 33 / 51 lb 15 / 23.1 kg | 42 / 65 lb 19.1 / 29.5 kg | 60 / 80 lb 27.2 / 36.3 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | 22 / 33 lb 10 / 15 kg | 34 / 53 lb 15.4 / 24 kg | 44 / 68 lb 20 / 30.8 kg | 63 / 84 lb 28.6 / 38.1 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | 23 / 35 lb 10.4 / 15.9 kg | 36 / 55 lb 16.3 / 24.9 kg | 46 / 71 lb 20.9 / 32.2 kg | 65 / 87 lb 29.5 / 39.5 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | 24 / 36 lb 10.9 / 16.3 kg | 37 / 58 lb 16.8 / 26.3 kg | 47 / 73 lb 21.3 / 33.1 kg | 68 / 90 lb 30.8 / 40.8 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | 25 / 37 lb 11.3 / 16.8 kg | 39 / 60 lb 17.7 / 27.2 kg | 49 / 76 lb 22.2 / 34.5 kg | 70 / 94 lb 31.8 / 42.6 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | 25 / 39 lb 11.3 / 17.7 kg | 40 / 62 lb 18.1 / 28.1 kg | 51 / 79 lb 23.1 / 35.8 kg | 73 / 97 lb 33.1 / 44 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | 26 / 40 lb 11.8 / 18.1 kg | 41 / 64 lb 18.6 / 29 kg | 53 / 81 lb 24 / 36.7 kg | 75 / 100 lb 34 / 45.4 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | 27 / 41 lb 12.2 / 18.6 kg | 43 / 66 lb 19.5 / 29.9 kg | 54 / 84 lb 24.5 / 38.1 kg | 77 / 103 lb 34.9 / 46.7 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | 28 / 43 lb 12.7 / 19.5 kg | 44 / 68 lb 20 / 30.8 kg | 56 / 86 lb 25.4 / 39 kg | 80 / 106 lb 36.3 / 48.1 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | 29 / 44 lb 13.2 / 20 kg | 45 / 70 lb 20.4 / 31.8 kg | 57 / 89 lb 25.9 / 40.4 kg | 82 / 109 lb 37.2 / 49.4 kg |
How Your Arnold Press vs Seated Barbell Overhead 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 arnold press strength level
The standards use the sex-specific targets from the individual Arnold 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 lift more without requiring strength to increase pound for pound.
3. Find the seated barbell overhead press strength level
The standards use the sex-specific thresholds from the individual Seated Barbell Overhead 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 larger lifters are expected to lift more 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 arnold press | Adjust arnold press targets to exact bodyweight with the two-thirds rule. |
| Rate the seated barbell overhead press | Use the canonical estimated max and adjust targets to exact bodyweight with the approved 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 Arnold Press and Seated Barbell 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 seated barbell overhead press standard is higher; below zero means the arnold 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.
13.1 → 24.5 kg from 120 to 300 lb bodyweight.
How to read the table: Every number is the seated barbell overhead press standard minus the arnold press standard. A plus sign means the seated barbell overhead press standard is higher. A minus sign means the arnold press standard is higher.
| Bodyweight | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | +18 lb +8.2 kg | +31 lb +14 kg | +34 lb +15.5 kg | +29 lb +13.1 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | +19 lb +8.7 kg | +32 lb +14.6 kg | +35 lb +15.9 kg | +31 lb +14.1 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | +20 lb +9 kg | +35 lb +15.9 kg | +38 lb +17.2 kg | +33 lb +15 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | +21 lb +9.5 kg | +36 lb +16.3 kg | +40 lb +18.1 kg | +34 lb +15.4 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | +23 lb +10.4 kg | +37 lb +16.8 kg | +41 lb +18.6 kg | +36 lb +16.4 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | +24 lb +10.9 kg | +39 lb +17.7 kg | +42 lb +19.1 kg | +37 lb +16.8 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | +24 lb +10.9 kg | +40 lb +18.2 kg | +44 lb +20 kg | +38 lb +17.2 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | +25 lb +11.4 kg | +42 lb +19.1 kg | +46 lb +20.8 kg | +40 lb +18.2 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | +26 lb +11.8 kg | +44 lb +19.9 kg | +48 lb +21.8 kg | +41 lb +18.6 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | +26 lb +11.8 kg | +45 lb +20.4 kg | +49 lb +22.2 kg | +43 lb +19.5 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | +28 lb +12.7 kg | +46 lb +20.9 kg | +51 lb +23.2 kg | +44 lb +19.9 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | +28 lb +12.7 kg | +48 lb +21.8 kg | +52 lb +23.6 kg | +45 lb +20.4 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | +29 lb +13.2 kg | +50 lb +22.7 kg | +53 lb +24 kg | +47 lb +21.3 kg |
| 250 lb 113.4 kg | +30 lb +13.6 kg | +50 lb +22.7 kg | +56 lb +25.4 kg | +48 lb +21.8 kg |
| 260 lb 117.9 kg | +31 lb +14 kg | +52 lb +23.6 kg | +57 lb +25.9 kg | +50 lb +22.7 kg |
| 270 lb 122.5 kg | +32 lb +14.5 kg | +53 lb +24 kg | +58 lb +26.3 kg | +51 lb +23.1 kg |
| 280 lb 127 kg | +32 lb +14.6 kg | +54 lb +24.5 kg | +59 lb +26.7 kg | +52 lb +23.6 kg |
| 290 lb 131.5 kg | +33 lb +15 kg | +56 lb +25.4 kg | +61 lb +27.6 kg | +53 lb +24 kg |
| 300 lb 136.1 kg | +34 lb +15.4 kg | +57 lb +25.9 kg | +62 lb +28.1 kg | +54 lb +24.5 kg |
How Women’s Arnold Press and Seated Barbell Overhead 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.
6.8 → 12.2 kg from 100 to 240 lb bodyweight.
How to read the table: Every number is the seated barbell overhead press standard minus the arnold press standard. A plus sign means the seated barbell overhead press standard is higher. A minus sign means the arnold press standard is higher.
| Bodyweight | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 lb 45.4 kg | +8 lb +3.6 kg | +14 lb +6.4 kg | +18 lb +8.2 kg | +15 lb +6.8 kg |
| 110 lb 49.9 kg | +9 lb +4.1 kg | +14 lb +6.4 kg | +19 lb +8.6 kg | +16 lb +7.3 kg |
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | +10 lb +4.5 kg | +16 lb +7.3 kg | +20 lb +9.1 kg | +17 lb +7.7 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | +10 lb +4.6 kg | +16 lb +7.3 kg | +21 lb +9.6 kg | +18 lb +8.2 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | +11 lb +5 kg | +17 lb +7.7 kg | +22 lb +10 kg | +19 lb +8.6 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | +11 lb +5 kg | +18 lb +8.1 kg | +23 lb +10.4 kg | +20 lb +9.1 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | +11 lb +5 kg | +19 lb +8.6 kg | +24 lb +10.8 kg | +21 lb +9.5 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | +12 lb +5.5 kg | +19 lb +8.6 kg | +25 lb +11.3 kg | +22 lb +10 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | +12 lb +5.4 kg | +21 lb +9.5 kg | +26 lb +11.8 kg | +22 lb +10 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | +12 lb +5.5 kg | +21 lb +9.5 kg | +27 lb +12.3 kg | +24 lb +10.8 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | +14 lb +6.4 kg | +22 lb +10 kg | +28 lb +12.7 kg | +24 lb +10.9 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | +14 lb +6.3 kg | +23 lb +10.4 kg | +28 lb +12.7 kg | +25 lb +11.4 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | +14 lb +6.4 kg | +23 lb +10.4 kg | +30 lb +13.6 kg | +26 lb +11.8 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | +15 lb +6.8 kg | +24 lb +10.8 kg | +30 lb +13.6 kg | +26 lb +11.8 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | +15 lb +6.8 kg | +25 lb +11.4 kg | +32 lb +14.5 kg | +27 lb +12.2 kg |
Arnold Press and Seated Barbell Overhead Press Exercises Used by This Calculator
This calculator uses a strict arnold press and a strict seated barbell overhead press test. Use strict canonical Arnold Press and Seated Barbell Overhead Press tests. Do not mix variations, assistance, partial range, momentum, or different load conventions.
Use a strict, repeatable Arnold Press
Strict seated bilateral Arnold Press Enter the weight of one dumbbell, not the combined pair Matched dumbbells move together through every counted rep Start in front of the shoulders or upper chest with palms facing the lifter or mostly inward Press and rotate through a visible Arnold Press path Reach controlled overhead lockout with both elbows extended Enter weight per dumbbell. Keep the same equipment and setup when retesting.
Use the canonical Seated Barbell Overhead Press setup and load convention
Barbell starts at the upper chest/clavicle with lifter seated upright on a bench. Feet stay flat on the floor with torso supported and no excessive bench recline. Bar is pressed vertically overhead until elbows are fully extended at lockout. Each rep must reach full lockout directly over the shoulders. Bar is lowered under control back to the upper chest each rep. No leg drive or hip extension is allowed. Consistent bench angle and setup must be used across all tests. Raw barbell lifting only. Push press, any standing overhead press variation, Smith machine or machine shoulder press, partial lockout reps, excessive back arch that turns the lift into an incline press, and equipped lifting are excluded. Estimated 1RM is calculated from the entered load and reps.
Enter one recent Arnold Press result and one recent Seated Barbell Overhead Press result
Use each exercise’s canonical input: Weight per dumbbell for Arnold Press and Total barbell load for Seated Barbell Overhead Press.
Related Tools
- Arnold Press — View the individual Arnold Press standards and next strength-level target.
- Seated Barbell Overhead Press — View the individual Seated Barbell Overhead Press standards and next strength-level target.
- Seated Dumbbell Overhead Press — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Standing Dumbbell Overhead Press — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Standing Strict Barbell Overhead Press — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Clean And Press (Dumbbell) — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.