Barbell Bench Press vs Circus Dumbbell Press Strength Standards
Compare your bench press and circus dumbbell press against strength standards for your sex and bodyweight. Use one clean 1–12-rep set per lift to review estimated one-rep maxes, strength levels, next targets, and priority.
First lift: total barbell weight and 1–12 strict reps. Second lift: weight used and 1–12 strict reps. Pounds or kilograms. For the first exercise, lower the bar under control to the chest, pause without bouncing, and press to full elbow lockout with no spotter assistance. For the second exercise, press or drive the dumbbell overhead according to the chosen press convention while keeping the implement controlled. Each lift is compared with its own standards, so the heavier lift is not automatically the stronger one.
Barbell Bench Press vs Circus Dumbbell Press Strength Standards
Use these tables to compare the estimated one-rep max required for the bench press and circus dumbbell press to reach the same strength level at each listed bodyweight. The numbers are calculator targets, not a required gap between the two lifts.
Choose the men’s or women’s table, find the closest bodyweight row, and read across to Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, or Elite. Each entry shows Bench Press / Circus Dumbbell Press, with pounds above kilograms. Use the calculator for your exact bodyweight and recent sets.
Men’s Bench Press vs Circus Dumbbell 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.
| Bodyweight | Exercise | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 lb54.4 kg | Bench Press | 151 lb68.5 kg | 188 lb85.3 kg | 225 lb102.1 kg | 261 lb118.4 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 45 lb20.4 kg | 64 lb29 kg | 88 lb39.9 kg | 116 lb52.6 kg | |
| 130 lb59 kg | Bench Press | 159 lb72.1 kg | 198 lb89.8 kg | 237 lb107.5 kg | 276 lb125.2 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 47 lb21.3 kg | 68 lb30.8 kg | 92 lb41.7 kg | 122 lb55.3 kg | |
| 140 lb63.5 kg | Bench Press | 167 lb75.7 kg | 208 lb94.3 kg | 249 lb112.9 kg | 290 lb131.5 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 50 lb22.7 kg | 71 lb32.2 kg | 97 lb44 kg | 128 lb58.1 kg | |
| 150 lb68 kg | Bench Press | 175 lb79.4 kg | 218 lb98.9 kg | 261 lb118.4 kg | 303 lb137.4 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 52 lb23.6 kg | 74 lb33.6 kg | 102 lb46.3 kg | 134 lb60.8 kg | |
| 160 lb72.6 kg | Bench Press | 183 lb83 kg | 227 lb103 kg | 272 lb123.4 kg | 317 lb143.8 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 54 lb24.5 kg | 78 lb35.4 kg | 106 lb48.1 kg | 140 lb63.5 kg | |
| 170 lb77.1 kg | Bench Press | 190 lb86.2 kg | 237 lb107.5 kg | 283 lb128.4 kg | 330 lb149.7 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 57 lb25.9 kg | 81 lb36.7 kg | 110 lb49.9 kg | 146 lb66.2 kg | |
| 180 lb81.6 kg | Bench Press | 198 lb89.8 kg | 246 lb111.6 kg | 294 lb133.4 kg | 342 lb155.1 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 59 lb26.8 kg | 84 lb38.1 kg | 115 lb52.2 kg | 151 lb68.5 kg | |
| 190 lb86.2 kg | Bench Press | 205 lb93 kg | 255 lb115.7 kg | 305 lb138.3 kg | 355 lb161 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 61 lb27.7 kg | 87 lb39.5 kg | 119 lb54 kg | 157 lb71.2 kg | |
| 200 lb90.7 kg | Bench Press | 212 lb96.2 kg | 264 lb119.7 kg | 316 lb143.3 kg | 367 lb166.5 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 63 lb28.6 kg | 90 lb40.8 kg | 123 lb55.8 kg | 162 lb73.5 kg | |
| 210 lb95.3 kg | Bench Press | 219 lb99.3 kg | 273 lb123.8 kg | 326 lb147.9 kg | 379 lb171.9 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 65 lb29.5 kg | 93 lb42.2 kg | 127 lb57.6 kg | 168 lb76.2 kg | |
| 220 lb99.8 kg | Bench Press | 226 lb102.5 kg | 281 lb127.5 kg | 336 lb152.4 kg | 391 lb177.4 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 67 lb30.4 kg | 96 lb43.5 kg | 131 lb59.4 kg | 173 lb78.5 kg | |
| 230 lb104.3 kg | Bench Press | 233 lb105.7 kg | 290 lb131.5 kg | 346 lb156.9 kg | 403 lb182.8 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 69 lb31.3 kg | 99 lb44.9 kg | 135 lb61.2 kg | 178 lb80.7 kg | |
| 240 lb108.9 kg | Bench Press | 240 lb108.9 kg | 298 lb135.2 kg | 356 lb161.5 kg | 415 lb188.2 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 71 lb32.2 kg | 102 lb46.3 kg | 139 lb63 kg | 183 lb83 kg | |
| 250 lb113.4 kg | Bench Press | 246 lb111.6 kg | 306 lb138.8 kg | 366 lb166 kg | 426 lb193.2 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 73 lb33.1 kg | 104 lb47.2 kg | 143 lb64.9 kg | 189 lb85.7 kg | |
| 260 lb117.9 kg | Bench Press | 253 lb114.8 kg | 314 lb142.4 kg | 376 lb170.6 kg | 438 lb198.7 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 75 lb34 kg | 107 lb48.5 kg | 147 lb66.7 kg | 194 lb88 kg | |
| 270 lb122.5 kg | Bench Press | 259 lb117.5 kg | 322 lb146.1 kg | 386 lb175.1 kg | 449 lb203.7 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 77 lb34.9 kg | 110 lb49.9 kg | 150 lb68 kg | 198 lb89.8 kg | |
| 280 lb127 kg | Bench Press | 265 lb120.2 kg | 330 lb149.7 kg | 395 lb179.2 kg | 460 lb208.7 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 79 lb35.8 kg | 113 lb51.3 kg | 154 lb69.9 kg | 203 lb92.1 kg | |
| 290 lb131.5 kg | Bench Press | 272 lb123.4 kg | 338 lb153.3 kg | 404 lb183.3 kg | 471 lb213.6 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 81 lb36.7 kg | 115 lb52.2 kg | 158 lb71.7 kg | 208 lb94.3 kg | |
| 300 lb136.1 kg | Bench Press | 278 lb126.1 kg | 346 lb156.9 kg | 414 lb187.8 kg | 481 lb218.2 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 83 lb37.6 kg | 118 lb53.5 kg | 161 lb73 kg | 213 lb96.6 kg |
Women’s Bench Press vs Circus Dumbbell 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.
| Bodyweight | Exercise | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 lb45.4 kg | Bench Press | 69 lb31.3 kg | 88 lb39.9 kg | 114 lb51.7 kg | 145 lb65.8 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 22 lb10 kg | 34 lb15.4 kg | 47 lb21.3 kg | 65 lb29.5 kg | |
| 110 lb49.9 kg | Bench Press | 73 lb33.1 kg | 94 lb42.6 kg | 122 lb55.3 kg | 155 lb70.3 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 24 lb10.9 kg | 37 lb16.8 kg | 50 lb22.7 kg | 69 lb31.3 kg | |
| 120 lb54.4 kg | Bench Press | 78 lb35.4 kg | 99 lb44.9 kg | 129 lb58.5 kg | 164 lb74.4 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 25 lb11.3 kg | 39 lb17.7 kg | 53 lb24 kg | 73 lb33.1 kg | |
| 130 lb59 kg | Bench Press | 82 lb37.2 kg | 105 lb47.6 kg | 136 lb61.7 kg | 173 lb78.5 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 26 lb11.8 kg | 41 lb18.6 kg | 56 lb25.4 kg | 77 lb34.9 kg | |
| 140 lb63.5 kg | Bench Press | 86 lb39 kg | 110 lb49.9 kg | 143 lb64.9 kg | 181 lb82.1 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 28 lb12.7 kg | 43 lb19.5 kg | 59 lb26.8 kg | 81 lb36.7 kg | |
| 150 lb68 kg | Bench Press | 90 lb40.8 kg | 115 lb52.2 kg | 150 lb68 kg | 190 lb86.2 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 29 lb13.2 kg | 45 lb20.4 kg | 62 lb28.1 kg | 85 lb38.6 kg | |
| 160 lb72.6 kg | Bench Press | 94 lb42.6 kg | 120 lb54.4 kg | 157 lb71.2 kg | 198 lb89.8 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 30 lb13.6 kg | 47 lb21.3 kg | 65 lb29.5 kg | 89 lb40.4 kg | |
| 170 lb77.1 kg | Bench Press | 98 lb44.5 kg | 125 lb56.7 kg | 163 lb73.9 kg | 207 lb93.9 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 32 lb14.5 kg | 49 lb22.2 kg | 67 lb30.4 kg | 92 lb41.7 kg | |
| 180 lb81.6 kg | Bench Press | 102 lb46.3 kg | 130 lb59 kg | 169 lb76.7 kg | 215 lb97.5 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 33 lb15 kg | 51 lb23.1 kg | 70 lb31.8 kg | 96 lb43.5 kg | |
| 190 lb86.2 kg | Bench Press | 105 lb47.6 kg | 135 lb61.2 kg | 176 lb79.8 kg | 222 lb100.7 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 34 lb15.4 kg | 53 lb24 kg | 73 lb33.1 kg | 100 lb45.4 kg | |
| 200 lb90.7 kg | Bench Press | 109 lb49.4 kg | 139 lb63 kg | 182 lb82.6 kg | 230 lb104.3 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 35 lb15.9 kg | 55 lb24.9 kg | 75 lb34 kg | 103 lb46.7 kg | |
| 210 lb95.3 kg | Bench Press | 113 lb51.3 kg | 144 lb65.3 kg | 188 lb85.3 kg | 238 lb108 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 36 lb16.3 kg | 56 lb25.4 kg | 78 lb35.4 kg | 106 lb48.1 kg | |
| 220 lb99.8 kg | Bench Press | 116 lb52.6 kg | 148 lb67.1 kg | 194 lb88 kg | 245 lb111.1 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 37 lb16.8 kg | 58 lb26.3 kg | 80 lb36.3 kg | 110 lb49.9 kg | |
| 230 lb104.3 kg | Bench Press | 120 lb54.4 kg | 153 lb69.4 kg | 199 lb90.3 kg | 253 lb114.8 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 39 lb17.7 kg | 60 lb27.2 kg | 82 lb37.2 kg | 113 lb51.3 kg | |
| 240 lb108.9 kg | Bench Press | 123 lb55.8 kg | 157 lb71.2 kg | 205 lb93 kg | 260 lb117.9 kg |
| Circus Dumbbell Press | 40 lb18.1 kg | 62 lb28.1 kg | 85 lb38.6 kg | 116 lb52.6 kg |
How Your Barbell Bench Press vs Circus Dumbbell 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
A one-rep set uses the entered weight. For 2–12 reps, both formulas are calculated and the lower estimate is retained.
- Epley: weight × (1 + reps ÷ 30)
- Brzycki: weight × 36 ÷ (37 − reps)
Set quality matters for this Barbell Bench Press vs Circus Dumbbell 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 bench press strength level
The bench 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 circus dumbbell press strength level
For circus dumbbell press, the individual exercise thresholds start from reference bodyweights of 190 lb for men and 150 lb for women. Exact-bodyweight targets use 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.
4. Compare the two results
Strength level decides the comparison first. Matching levels remain Balanced unless progress toward the next target differs by at least 10 points.
The result identifies the lower standards rating, not its cause. Technique, fatigue, training history, and set quality can all affect the comparison. Age range is recorded anonymously but does not change these 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 bench press | Adjust bench press targets to exact bodyweight with the two-thirds rule. |
| Rate the circus dumbbell press | Use the exercise-specific estimated max and adjust targets to exact bodyweight with the two-thirds scaling 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 view both estimated maxes, strength levels, next targets, and the resulting priority or Balanced verdict.
How Men’s Barbell Bench Press and Circus Dumbbell Press Standards Differ
What the men’s data shows:
The standards come closest at 120 lb.
The higher target remains with Bench Press for Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Elite throughout the table.
65.8 → 121.6 kg from 120 to 300 lb bodyweight.
How to read this chart: Choose a strength level and follow its line across bodyweight. Values show the Circus Dumbbell Press standard minus the Bench Press standard: zero means equal, above zero means the Circus Dumbbell Press standard is higher, and below zero means the Bench Press standard is higher. Swipe horizontally on mobile. Use the standards table for exact lb/kg targets.
Line chart loading. The standards tables above contain the exact pounds and kilograms.
How Women’s Barbell Bench Press and Circus Dumbbell Press Standards Differ
What the women’s data shows:
The standards come closest at 100 lb.
Across all listed bodyweights, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Elite keep the same higher-target direction.
36.3 → 65.3 kg from 100 to 240 lb bodyweight.
How to read this chart: Choose a strength level and follow its line across bodyweight. Values show the Circus Dumbbell Press standard minus the Bench Press standard: zero means equal, above zero means the Circus Dumbbell Press standard is higher, and below zero means the Bench Press standard is higher. Swipe horizontally on mobile. Use the standards table for exact lb/kg targets.
Line chart loading. The standards tables above contain the exact pounds and kilograms.
Barbell Bench Press and Circus Dumbbell Press Exercises Used by This Calculator
Valid results depend on using the specified bench press and circus dumbbell press technique and load convention. Use strict, repeatable Barbell Bench Press and Circus Dumbbell 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 a paused competition-style barbell bench press
Lower the bar under control to the chest, pause without bouncing, and press to full elbow lockout with no spotter assistance. Enter the total barbell weight. Do not enter a touch-and-go, assisted, partial, Smith-machine, dumbbell, incline, decline, equipped, or bench-shirt result.
Use the Circus Dumbbell Press setup and load convention
The entered weight for strict Circus Dumbbell Press. Valid Circus Dumbbell Press reps. Press or drive the dumbbell overhead according to the chosen press convention while keeping the implement controlled. A valid finish requires one-arm overhead lockout, stable body position, and control before lowering. Consistent setup, range, and finish quality across the entered set. No substituted exercise or assisted reps.
Enter one recent Barbell Bench Press result and one recent Circus Dumbbell Press result
First lift: total barbell weight and 1–12 strict reps. Second lift: weight used and 1–12 strict reps. Pounds or kilograms.
Related Tools
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