Bench vs Push Press Strength Standards

Barbell Bench Press vs Push Press Strength Standards

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

Men’s Bench 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 Bench 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 Barbell Bench 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)

For the most useful Barbell Bench Press vs Push Press comparison, enter clean, difficult sets performed with the same technique and range of motion you use in training. Lower-rep sets usually require less extrapolation.

2. Find the bench press strength level

For bench 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.

3. Find the push press strength level

For push 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

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.

The calculator above applies these steps to your exact entries and reports both lift ratings, both next targets, and the final comparison.

How Men’s Barbell Bench 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 Bench Press standard: zero means equal, above zero means the Push 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.

How Women’s Barbell Bench 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 Bench Press standard: zero means equal, above zero means the Push 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.

Barbell Bench Press and Push Press Exercises Used by This Calculator

The calculator expects repeatable bench press and push press results. Follow each exercise definition below so the two ratings are based on valid tests. Use strict, repeatable Barbell Bench 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.

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 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 Barbell Bench Press result and one recent Push Press result

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

Related Tools

• Barbell Push Press — View the individual Push Press standards and next strength-level target.
• Arnold Press — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Barbell Clean And Jerk — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Barbell Push Jerk — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Barbell Split Jerk — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Barbell Z Press — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.