Incline Bench Press vs Machine Incline Chest Press Strength Standards
Compare your incline bench press and machine incline chest press against strength standards for your sex and bodyweight. Enter 1–12 reps for estimated one-rep maxes, strength levels, next targets, and priority.
Enter the canonical working weight and a whole number of strict repetitions for each exercise. Pounds and kilograms can be mixed. Testing: a raw barbell incline bench press at approximately 30–45 degrees with the bar lowered to the upper chest and every rep locked out; a strict bilateral incline chest press using total selected or loaded machine resistance and a repeatable seat, range, and press path. Pounds or kilograms. Heavier lift is not automatically the stronger one.
Incline Bench Press vs Machine Incline Chest Press Strength Standards by Bodyweight
Use these tables to compare the estimated one-rep max required for the incline bench press and machine incline 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 incline bench press and machine incline 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 Incline Bench Press / Machine Incline 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 Incline Bench Press vs Machine Incline Press Standards
How to read the table: The first number is Incline Bench Press; the second is Machine Incline 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 | 98 / 67 lb 44.5 / 30.4 kg | 133 / 95 lb 60.3 / 43.1 kg | 168 / 129 lb 76.2 / 58.5 kg | 203 / 165 lb 92.1 / 74.8 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | 103 / 71 lb 46.7 / 32.2 kg | 141 / 100 lb 64 / 45.4 kg | 177 / 136 lb 80.3 / 61.7 kg | 214 / 174 lb 97.1 / 78.9 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | 109 / 74 lb 49.4 / 33.6 kg | 148 / 105 lb 67.1 / 47.6 kg | 186 / 143 lb 84.4 / 64.9 kg | 225 / 183 lb 102.1 / 83 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | 114 / 78 lb 51.7 / 35.4 kg | 155 / 110 lb 70.3 / 49.9 kg | 195 / 149 lb 88.5 / 67.6 kg | 236 / 191 lb 107 / 86.6 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | 119 / 81 lb 54 / 36.7 kg | 161 / 115 lb 73 / 52.2 kg | 203 / 156 lb 92.1 / 70.8 kg | 246 / 200 lb 111.6 / 90.7 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | 123 / 84 lb 55.8 / 38.1 kg | 168 / 120 lb 76.2 / 54.4 kg | 212 / 162 lb 96.2 / 73.5 kg | 256 / 208 lb 116.1 / 94.3 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | 128 / 88 lb 58.1 / 39.9 kg | 175 / 124 lb 79.4 / 56.2 kg | 220 / 169 lb 99.8 / 76.7 kg | 266 / 216 lb 120.7 / 98 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | 133 / 91 lb 60.3 / 41.3 kg | 181 / 129 lb 82.1 / 58.5 kg | 228 / 175 lb 103.4 / 79.4 kg | 276 / 224 lb 125.2 / 101.6 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | 138 / 94 lb 62.6 / 42.6 kg | 187 / 133 lb 84.8 / 60.3 kg | 236 / 181 lb 107 / 82.1 kg | 286 / 232 lb 129.7 / 105.2 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | 142 / 97 lb 64.4 / 44 kg | 193 / 138 lb 87.5 / 62.6 kg | 244 / 187 lb 110.7 / 84.8 kg | 295 / 239 lb 133.8 / 108.4 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | 147 / 100 lb 66.7 / 45.4 kg | 200 / 142 lb 90.7 / 64.4 kg | 251 / 193 lb 113.9 / 87.5 kg | 304 / 247 lb 137.9 / 112 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | 151 / 103 lb 68.5 / 46.7 kg | 206 / 147 lb 93.4 / 66.7 kg | 259 / 199 lb 117.5 / 90.3 kg | 313 / 254 lb 142 / 115.2 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | 155 / 106 lb 70.3 / 48.1 kg | 212 / 151 lb 96.2 / 68.5 kg | 266 / 204 lb 120.7 / 92.5 kg | 323 / 262 lb 146.5 / 118.8 kg |
| 250 lb 113.4 kg | 160 / 109 lb 72.6 / 49.4 kg | 217 / 155 lb 98.4 / 70.3 kg | 274 / 210 lb 124.3 / 95.3 kg | 331 / 269 lb 150.1 / 122 kg |
| 260 lb 117.9 kg | 164 / 112 lb 74.4 / 50.8 kg | 223 / 159 lb 101.2 / 72.1 kg | 281 / 216 lb 127.5 / 98 kg | 340 / 276 lb 154.2 / 125.2 kg |
| 270 lb 122.5 kg | 168 / 115 lb 76.2 / 52.2 kg | 229 / 163 lb 103.9 / 73.9 kg | 288 / 221 lb 130.6 / 100.2 kg | 349 / 283 lb 158.3 / 128.4 kg |
| 280 lb 127 kg | 172 / 118 lb 78 / 53.5 kg | 234 / 167 lb 106.1 / 75.7 kg | 295 / 227 lb 133.8 / 103 kg | 357 / 290 lb 161.9 / 131.5 kg |
| 290 lb 131.5 kg | 176 / 121 lb 79.8 / 54.9 kg | 240 / 171 lb 108.9 / 77.6 kg | 302 / 232 lb 137 / 105.2 kg | 366 / 297 lb 166 / 134.7 kg |
| 300 lb 136.1 kg | 180 / 123 lb 81.6 / 55.8 kg | 245 / 175 lb 111.1 / 79.4 kg | 309 / 237 lb 140.2 / 107.5 kg | 374 / 304 lb 169.6 / 137.9 kg |
Women’s Incline Bench Press vs Machine Incline Press Standards
How to read the table: The first number is Incline Bench Press; the second is Machine Incline 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 | 46 / 34 lb 20.9 / 15.4 kg | 63 / 50 lb 28.6 / 22.7 kg | 80 / 71 lb 36.3 / 32.2 kg | 103 / 94 lb 46.7 / 42.6 kg |
| 110 lb 49.9 kg | 49 / 37 lb 22.2 / 16.8 kg | 67 / 54 lb 30.4 / 24.5 kg | 85 / 76 lb 38.6 / 34.5 kg | 110 / 100 lb 49.9 / 45.4 kg |
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | 52 / 39 lb 23.6 / 17.7 kg | 72 / 57 lb 32.7 / 25.9 kg | 90 / 80 lb 40.8 / 36.3 kg | 116 / 106 lb 52.6 / 48.1 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | 55 / 41 lb 24.9 / 18.6 kg | 75 / 60 lb 34 / 27.2 kg | 95 / 85 lb 43.1 / 38.6 kg | 123 / 112 lb 55.8 / 50.8 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | 57 / 43 lb 25.9 / 19.5 kg | 79 / 63 lb 35.8 / 28.6 kg | 100 / 89 lb 45.4 / 40.4 kg | 129 / 117 lb 58.5 / 53.1 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | 60 / 45 lb 27.2 / 20.4 kg | 83 / 66 lb 37.6 / 29.9 kg | 105 / 93 lb 47.6 / 42.2 kg | 135 / 123 lb 61.2 / 55.8 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | 63 / 47 lb 28.6 / 21.3 kg | 87 / 69 lb 39.5 / 31.3 kg | 110 / 97 lb 49.9 / 44 kg | 141 / 128 lb 64 / 58.1 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | 65 / 49 lb 29.5 / 22.2 kg | 90 / 72 lb 40.8 / 32.7 kg | 114 / 101 lb 51.7 / 45.8 kg | 147 / 134 lb 66.7 / 60.8 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | 68 / 51 lb 30.8 / 23.1 kg | 94 / 75 lb 42.6 / 34 kg | 119 / 105 lb 54 / 47.6 kg | 152 / 139 lb 68.9 / 63 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | 70 / 53 lb 31.8 / 24 kg | 97 / 77 lb 44 / 34.9 kg | 123 / 109 lb 55.8 / 49.4 kg | 158 / 144 lb 71.7 / 65.3 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | 73 / 55 lb 33.1 / 24.9 kg | 101 / 80 lb 45.8 / 36.3 kg | 127 / 113 lb 57.6 / 51.3 kg | 164 / 149 lb 74.4 / 67.6 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | 75 / 56 lb 34 / 25.4 kg | 104 / 83 lb 47.2 / 37.6 kg | 131 / 116 lb 59.4 / 52.6 kg | 169 / 154 lb 76.7 / 69.9 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | 77 / 58 lb 34.9 / 26.3 kg | 107 / 85 lb 48.5 / 38.6 kg | 136 / 120 lb 61.7 / 54.4 kg | 174 / 159 lb 78.9 / 72.1 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | 80 / 60 lb 36.3 / 27.2 kg | 110 / 88 lb 49.9 / 39.9 kg | 140 / 124 lb 63.5 / 56.2 kg | 180 / 164 lb 81.6 / 74.4 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | 82 / 62 lb 37.2 / 28.1 kg | 114 / 90 lb 51.7 / 40.8 kg | 144 / 127 lb 65.3 / 57.6 kg | 185 / 168 lb 83.9 / 76.2 kg |
How Your Incline Bench Press vs Machine Incline 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 incline bench press strength level
The incline bench press standards use the sex-specific standards from the individual incline bench 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 total weight without requiring strength to increase pound for pound.
3. Find the machine incline chest press strength level
The standards use the sex-specific strength levels from the individual Machine Incline Chest 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 machine 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 incline bench press | Adjust incline bench press targets to exact bodyweight with the two-thirds rule. |
| Rate the machine incline chest press | Adjust machine incline 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 Incline Bench Press and Machine Incline 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 incline chest press standard is higher; below zero means the incline bench 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.
17.3 → 31.7 kg from 120 to 300 lb bodyweight.
How to read the table: Every number is the machine incline chest press standard minus the incline bench press standard. A plus sign means the machine incline chest press standard is higher. A minus sign means the incline bench press standard is higher.
| Bodyweight | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | −31 lb −14.1 kg | −38 lb −17.2 kg | −39 lb −17.7 kg | −38 lb −17.3 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | −32 lb −14.5 kg | −41 lb −18.6 kg | −41 lb −18.6 kg | −40 lb −18.2 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | −35 lb −15.8 kg | −43 lb −19.5 kg | −43 lb −19.5 kg | −42 lb −19.1 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | −36 lb −16.3 kg | −45 lb −20.4 kg | −46 lb −20.9 kg | −45 lb −20.4 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | −38 lb −17.3 kg | −46 lb −20.8 kg | −47 lb −21.3 kg | −46 lb −20.9 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | −39 lb −17.7 kg | −48 lb −21.8 kg | −50 lb −22.7 kg | −48 lb −21.8 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | −40 lb −18.2 kg | −51 lb −23.2 kg | −51 lb −23.1 kg | −50 lb −22.7 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | −42 lb −19 kg | −52 lb −23.6 kg | −53 lb −24 kg | −52 lb −23.6 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | −44 lb −20 kg | −54 lb −24.5 kg | −55 lb −24.9 kg | −54 lb −24.5 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | −45 lb −20.4 kg | −55 lb −24.9 kg | −57 lb −25.9 kg | −56 lb −25.4 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | −47 lb −21.3 kg | −58 lb −26.3 kg | −58 lb −26.4 kg | −57 lb −25.9 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | −48 lb −21.8 kg | −59 lb −26.7 kg | −60 lb −27.2 kg | −59 lb −26.8 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | −49 lb −22.2 kg | −61 lb −27.7 kg | −62 lb −28.2 kg | −61 lb −27.7 kg |
| 250 lb 113.4 kg | −51 lb −23.2 kg | −62 lb −28.1 kg | −64 lb −29 kg | −62 lb −28.1 kg |
| 260 lb 117.9 kg | −52 lb −23.6 kg | −64 lb −29.1 kg | −65 lb −29.5 kg | −64 lb −29 kg |
| 270 lb 122.5 kg | −53 lb −24 kg | −66 lb −30 kg | −67 lb −30.4 kg | −66 lb −29.9 kg |
| 280 lb 127 kg | −54 lb −24.5 kg | −67 lb −30.4 kg | −68 lb −30.8 kg | −67 lb −30.4 kg |
| 290 lb 131.5 kg | −55 lb −24.9 kg | −69 lb −31.3 kg | −70 lb −31.8 kg | −69 lb −31.3 kg |
| 300 lb 136.1 kg | −57 lb −25.8 kg | −70 lb −31.7 kg | −72 lb −32.7 kg | −70 lb −31.7 kg |
How Women’s Incline Bench Press and Machine Incline 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.
4.1 → 7.7 kg from 100 to 240 lb bodyweight.
How to read the table: Every number is the machine incline chest press standard minus the incline bench press standard. A plus sign means the machine incline chest press standard is higher. A minus sign means the incline bench press standard is higher.
| Bodyweight | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 lb 45.4 kg | −12 lb −5.5 kg | −13 lb −5.9 kg | −9 lb −4.1 kg | −9 lb −4.1 kg |
| 110 lb 49.9 kg | −12 lb −5.4 kg | −13 lb −5.9 kg | −9 lb −4.1 kg | −10 lb −4.5 kg |
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | −13 lb −5.9 kg | −15 lb −6.8 kg | −10 lb −4.5 kg | −10 lb −4.5 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | −14 lb −6.3 kg | −15 lb −6.8 kg | −10 lb −4.5 kg | −11 lb −5 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | −14 lb −6.4 kg | −16 lb −7.2 kg | −11 lb −5 kg | −12 lb −5.4 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | −15 lb −6.8 kg | −17 lb −7.7 kg | −12 lb −5.4 kg | −12 lb −5.4 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | −16 lb −7.3 kg | −18 lb −8.2 kg | −13 lb −5.9 kg | −13 lb −5.9 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | −16 lb −7.3 kg | −18 lb −8.1 kg | −13 lb −5.9 kg | −13 lb −5.9 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | −17 lb −7.7 kg | −19 lb −8.6 kg | −14 lb −6.4 kg | −13 lb −5.9 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | −17 lb −7.8 kg | −20 lb −9.1 kg | −14 lb −6.4 kg | −14 lb −6.4 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | −18 lb −8.2 kg | −21 lb −9.5 kg | −14 lb −6.3 kg | −15 lb −6.8 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | −19 lb −8.6 kg | −21 lb −9.6 kg | −15 lb −6.8 kg | −15 lb −6.8 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | −19 lb −8.6 kg | −22 lb −9.9 kg | −16 lb −7.3 kg | −15 lb −6.8 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | −20 lb −9.1 kg | −22 lb −10 kg | −16 lb −7.3 kg | −16 lb −7.2 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | −20 lb −9.1 kg | −24 lb −10.9 kg | −17 lb −7.7 kg | −17 lb −7.7 kg |
Incline Bench Press and Machine Incline Chest Press Exercises Used by This Calculator
This calculator uses a barbell incline bench press and a strict bilateral machine incline chest press. Use strict canonical Incline Bench Press and Machine Incline Chest Press tests. Do not mix variations, assistance, partial range, momentum, or different load conventions.
Use a raw 30–45 degree barbell incline bench press
Lower the bar to the upper chest or clavicle with the feet planted and shoulders against the bench, then press to full elbow lockout. Do not enter a flat press, dumbbell press, Smith-machine press, machine press, partial rep, or equipped lift.
Enter total incline-machine resistance
Use the same incline chest press machine, seat, back pad, handles, and range. Enter total selected or loaded bilateral resistance, not per-side load. Lower under control and press through the incline path to full controlled extension. Do not count flat presses, shoulder presses, free-weight presses, shortened reps, stack bounce, changed settings, or assisted reps.
Enter one recent Incline Bench Press result and one recent Machine Incline 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
- Barbell Incline Bench Press — View the individual Incline Bench Press standards and next strength-level target.
- Machine Incline Chest Press — View the individual Machine Incline Press standards and next strength-level target.
- Close Grip Incline Bench Press — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Machine Shoulder Press — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Machine Chest Fly — 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.