Cable Chest Press vs Push Press Strength Standards
Compare your cable chest press and push press against strength standards for your sex and bodyweight. Add a recent 1–12-rep result for each lift to compare estimated one-rep maxes, strength levels, next targets, and priority.
First lift: displayed machine or stack weight and 1–12 strict reps. Second lift: total barbell load and 1–12 strict reps. Pounds or kilograms. For the first exercise, press both handles from chest level to a controlled forward finish and return along the same cable path without trunk heave, stack bounce, or fly substitution. For the second exercise, leg drive initiates the bar path and the arms finish the lockout overhead. Each lift is compared with its own standards, so the heavier lift is not automatically the stronger one.
Cable Chest Press vs Push Press Strength Standards
Use these tables to compare the estimated one-rep max required for the cable chest press and push 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 Cable Chest Press / Push Press, with pounds above kilograms. Use the calculator for your exact bodyweight and recent sets.
Men’s Cable Chest 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.
| Bodyweight | Exercise | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 lb54.4 kg | Cable Chest Press | 59 lb26.8 kg | 87 lb39.5 kg | 118 lb53.5 kg | 151 lb68.5 kg |
| Push Press | 91 lb41.3 kg | 107 lb48.5 kg | 126 lb57.2 kg | 158 lb71.7 kg | |
| 130 lb59 kg | Cable Chest Press | 62 lb28.1 kg | 92 lb41.7 kg | 124 lb56.2 kg | 159 lb72.1 kg |
| Push Press | 96 lb43.5 kg | 113 lb51.3 kg | 133 lb60.3 kg | 167 lb75.7 kg | |
| 140 lb63.5 kg | Cable Chest Press | 65 lb29.5 kg | 96 lb43.5 kg | 131 lb59.4 kg | 167 lb75.7 kg |
| Push Press | 101 lb45.8 kg | 119 lb54 kg | 140 lb63.5 kg | 175 lb79.4 kg | |
| 150 lb68 kg | Cable Chest Press | 68 lb30.8 kg | 101 lb45.8 kg | 137 lb62.1 kg | 175 lb79.4 kg |
| Push Press | 106 lb48.1 kg | 125 lb56.7 kg | 146 lb66.2 kg | 184 lb83.5 kg | |
| 160 lb72.6 kg | Cable Chest Press | 71 lb32.2 kg | 105 lb47.6 kg | 143 lb64.9 kg | 183 lb83 kg |
| Push Press | 111 lb50.3 kg | 130 lb59 kg | 152 lb68.9 kg | 192 lb87.1 kg | |
| 170 lb77.1 kg | Cable Chest Press | 74 lb33.6 kg | 110 lb49.9 kg | 149 lb67.6 kg | 190 lb86.2 kg |
| Push Press | 115 lb52.2 kg | 136 lb61.7 kg | 159 lb72.1 kg | 200 lb90.7 kg | |
| 180 lb81.6 kg | Cable Chest Press | 77 lb34.9 kg | 114 lb51.7 kg | 154 lb69.9 kg | 198 lb89.8 kg |
| Push Press | 120 lb54.4 kg | 141 lb64 kg | 165 lb74.8 kg | 207 lb93.9 kg | |
| 190 lb86.2 kg | Cable Chest Press | 80 lb36.3 kg | 118 lb53.5 kg | 160 lb72.6 kg | 205 lb93 kg |
| Push Press | 124 lb56.2 kg | 146 lb66.2 kg | 171 lb77.6 kg | 215 lb97.5 kg | |
| 200 lb90.7 kg | Cable Chest Press | 83 lb37.6 kg | 122 lb55.3 kg | 166 lb75.3 kg | 212 lb96.2 kg |
| Push Press | 128 lb58.1 kg | 151 lb68.5 kg | 177 lb80.3 kg | 222 lb100.7 kg | |
| 210 lb95.3 kg | Cable Chest Press | 86 lb39 kg | 126 lb57.2 kg | 171 lb77.6 kg | 219 lb99.3 kg |
| Push Press | 133 lb60.3 kg | 156 lb70.8 kg | 183 lb83 kg | 230 lb104.3 kg | |
| 220 lb99.8 kg | Cable Chest Press | 88 lb39.9 kg | 130 lb59 kg | 176 lb79.8 kg | 226 lb102.5 kg |
| Push Press | 137 lb62.1 kg | 161 lb73 kg | 189 lb85.7 kg | 237 lb107.5 kg | |
| 230 lb104.3 kg | Cable Chest Press | 91 lb41.3 kg | 134 lb60.8 kg | 182 lb82.6 kg | 233 lb105.7 kg |
| Push Press | 141 lb64 kg | 166 lb75.3 kg | 194 lb88 kg | 244 lb110.7 kg | |
| 240 lb108.9 kg | Cable Chest Press | 93 lb42.2 kg | 138 lb62.6 kg | 187 lb84.8 kg | 240 lb108.9 kg |
| Push Press | 145 lb65.8 kg | 171 lb77.6 kg | 200 lb90.7 kg | 251 lb113.9 kg | |
| 250 lb113.4 kg | Cable Chest Press | 96 lb43.5 kg | 142 lb64.4 kg | 192 lb87.1 kg | 246 lb111.6 kg |
| Push Press | 149 lb67.6 kg | 175 lb79.4 kg | 205 lb93 kg | 258 lb117 kg | |
| 260 lb117.9 kg | Cable Chest Press | 99 lb44.9 kg | 145 lb65.8 kg | 197 lb89.4 kg | 253 lb114.8 kg |
| Push Press | 153 lb69.4 kg | 180 lb81.6 kg | 211 lb95.7 kg | 265 lb120.2 kg | |
| 270 lb122.5 kg | Cable Chest Press | 101 lb45.8 kg | 149 lb67.6 kg | 202 lb91.6 kg | 259 lb117.5 kg |
| Push Press | 157 lb71.2 kg | 185 lb83.9 kg | 216 lb98 kg | 272 lb123.4 kg | |
| 280 lb127 kg | Cable Chest Press | 104 lb47.2 kg | 153 lb69.4 kg | 207 lb93.9 kg | 265 lb120.2 kg |
| Push Press | 161 lb73 kg | 189 lb85.7 kg | 221 lb100.2 kg | 278 lb126.1 kg | |
| 290 lb131.5 kg | Cable Chest Press | 106 lb48.1 kg | 156 lb70.8 kg | 212 lb96.2 kg | 272 lb123.4 kg |
| Push Press | 164 lb74.4 kg | 194 lb88 kg | 227 lb103 kg | 285 lb129.3 kg | |
| 300 lb136.1 kg | Cable Chest Press | 108 lb49 kg | 160 lb72.6 kg | 217 lb98.4 kg | 278 lb126.1 kg |
| Push Press | 168 lb76.2 kg | 198 lb89.8 kg | 232 lb105.2 kg | 292 lb132.4 kg |
Women’s Cable Chest 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.
| Bodyweight | Exercise | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 lb45.4 kg | Cable Chest Press | 30 lb13.6 kg | 46 lb20.9 kg | 66 lb29.9 kg | 87 lb39.5 kg |
| Push Press | 43 lb19.5 kg | 54 lb24.5 kg | 66 lb29.9 kg | 87 lb39.5 kg | |
| 110 lb49.9 kg | Cable Chest Press | 32 lb14.5 kg | 49 lb22.2 kg | 71 lb32.2 kg | 93 lb42.2 kg |
| Push Press | 46 lb20.9 kg | 58 lb26.3 kg | 71 lb32.2 kg | 93 lb42.2 kg | |
| 120 lb54.4 kg | Cable Chest Press | 34 lb15.4 kg | 52 lb23.6 kg | 75 lb34 kg | 98 lb44.5 kg |
| Push Press | 49 lb22.2 kg | 61 lb27.7 kg | 75 lb34 kg | 98 lb44.5 kg | |
| 130 lb59 kg | Cable Chest Press | 35 lb15.9 kg | 55 lb24.9 kg | 79 lb35.8 kg | 104 lb47.2 kg |
| Push Press | 52 lb23.6 kg | 65 lb29.5 kg | 79 lb35.8 kg | 104 lb47.2 kg | |
| 140 lb63.5 kg | Cable Chest Press | 37 lb16.8 kg | 57 lb25.9 kg | 83 lb37.6 kg | 109 lb49.4 kg |
| Push Press | 54 lb24.5 kg | 68 lb30.8 kg | 83 lb37.6 kg | 109 lb49.4 kg | |
| 150 lb68 kg | Cable Chest Press | 39 lb17.7 kg | 60 lb27.2 kg | 87 lb39.5 kg | 114 lb51.7 kg |
| Push Press | 57 lb25.9 kg | 71 lb32.2 kg | 87 lb39.5 kg | 114 lb51.7 kg | |
| 160 lb72.6 kg | Cable Chest Press | 41 lb18.6 kg | 63 lb28.6 kg | 91 lb41.3 kg | 119 lb54 kg |
| Push Press | 60 lb27.2 kg | 74 lb33.6 kg | 91 lb41.3 kg | 119 lb54 kg | |
| 170 lb77.1 kg | Cable Chest Press | 42 lb19.1 kg | 65 lb29.5 kg | 95 lb43.1 kg | 124 lb56.2 kg |
| Push Press | 62 lb28.1 kg | 77 lb34.9 kg | 95 lb43.1 kg | 124 lb56.2 kg | |
| 180 lb81.6 kg | Cable Chest Press | 44 lb20 kg | 68 lb30.8 kg | 98 lb44.5 kg | 129 lb58.5 kg |
| Push Press | 64 lb29 kg | 80 lb36.3 kg | 98 lb44.5 kg | 129 lb58.5 kg | |
| 190 lb86.2 kg | Cable Chest Press | 46 lb20.9 kg | 70 lb31.8 kg | 102 lb46.3 kg | 133 lb60.3 kg |
| Push Press | 67 lb30.4 kg | 83 lb37.6 kg | 102 lb46.3 kg | 133 lb60.3 kg | |
| 200 lb90.7 kg | Cable Chest Press | 47 lb21.3 kg | 73 lb33.1 kg | 105 lb47.6 kg | 138 lb62.6 kg |
| Push Press | 69 lb31.3 kg | 86 lb39 kg | 105 lb47.6 kg | 138 lb62.6 kg | |
| 210 lb95.3 kg | Cable Chest Press | 49 lb22.2 kg | 75 lb34 kg | 109 lb49.4 kg | 143 lb64.9 kg |
| Push Press | 71 lb32.2 kg | 89 lb40.4 kg | 109 lb49.4 kg | 143 lb64.9 kg | |
| 220 lb99.8 kg | Cable Chest Press | 50 lb22.7 kg | 77 lb34.9 kg | 112 lb50.8 kg | 147 lb66.7 kg |
| Push Press | 74 lb33.6 kg | 92 lb41.7 kg | 112 lb50.8 kg | 147 lb66.7 kg | |
| 230 lb104.3 kg | Cable Chest Press | 52 lb23.6 kg | 80 lb36.3 kg | 116 lb52.6 kg | 152 lb68.9 kg |
| Push Press | 76 lb34.5 kg | 94 lb42.6 kg | 116 lb52.6 kg | 152 lb68.9 kg | |
| 240 lb108.9 kg | Cable Chest Press | 53 lb24 kg | 82 lb37.2 kg | 119 lb54 kg | 156 lb70.8 kg |
| Push Press | 78 lb35.4 kg | 97 lb44 kg | 119 lb54 kg | 156 lb70.8 kg |
How Your Cable Chest Press vs Push Press Result Is Calculated
The calculator estimates both one-rep maxes, rates each one against its exercise and bodyweight standards, and then compares the two ratings.
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)
Use recent Cable Chest Press and Push Press sets with consistent technique and full intended range of motion. Difficult lower-rep sets generally make the estimated max less dependent on extrapolation.
2. Find the cable chest press strength level
The cable chest 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.
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 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.
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
The lift with the lower Beginner-to-Elite rating is the priority. If both ratings match, the calculator requires a 10-point difference in next-level progress before naming a priority; otherwise it reports Balanced.
A priority result is a standards comparison, not a diagnosis. Differences in technique, fatigue, practice, or set effort may influence it. Age range is recorded anonymously and does not alter 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 cable chest press | Adjust cable chest press targets to exact bodyweight with the two-thirds rule. |
| Rate the push 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. |
Enter both sets above to see the estimated maxes, assigned levels, next-level targets, and comparison result.
How Men’s Cable Chest Press and Push Press Standards Differ
What the men’s data shows:
The standards come closest at 120 lb.
Across all listed bodyweights, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Elite keep the same higher-target direction.
3.2 → 6.3 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 Push Press standard minus the Cable Chest Press standard: zero means equal, above zero means the Push Press standard is higher, and below zero means the Cable Chest 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 Cable Chest Press and Push Press Standards Differ
What the women’s data shows:
The standards come closest at 100 lb.
Novice and Intermediate at every displayed bodyweight.
At Elite, the difference is 0 kg at 100 lb and 0 kg at 240 lb.
How to read this chart: Choose a strength level and follow its line across bodyweight. Values show the Push Press standard minus the Cable Chest Press standard: zero means equal, above zero means the Push Press standard is higher, and below zero means the Cable Chest 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.
Cable Chest Press and Push Press Exercises Used by This Calculator
For a useful comparison, perform a strict cable chest press and a strict push press using the setup and load rules below. Use strict, repeatable Cable Chest 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 the Cable Chest Press setup and load convention
The total selected cable resistance for the two-handle press, using the sum of both sides on matched dual stacks. Valid Cable Chest Press reps. Press both handles from chest level to a controlled forward finish and return along the same cable path without trunk heave, stack bounce, or fly substitution. Consistent setup, range, and finish quality across the entered set. No substituted exercise or assisted reps.
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 Cable Chest Press result and one recent Push Press result
First lift: displayed machine or stack weight and 1–12 strict reps. Second lift: total barbell load and 1–12 strict reps. Pounds or kilograms.
Related Tools
- Cable Chest Press — View the individual Cable Chest Press standards and next strength-level target.
- Barbell Push Press — View the individual Push Press standards and next strength-level target.
- Chest Press Machine — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Dumbbell Bench Press — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Cable Fly — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Machine Incline Chest Press — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.