Knowing how your bench press compares to others at your age and weight is great motivation to improve.
However, to get an accurate comparison, you'll want to see the bench presses of a large enough population.
That's why we compiled the data from all 13- to 18-year-old lifters who have competed in the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF). The data from these lifters was used to provide the average bench press strength for lifters at each age and across all IPF weight classes.
Bench Press Standards for Young Men
Age (yrs) | Weight Class | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
53kg (116lbs) | 59kg (129lbs) | 66kg (145lbs) | 74kg (163lbs) | 83kg (183lbs) | 93kg (205lbs) | 105kg (233lbs) | 120kg (264lbs) | +120kg (+264lbs) | |||||||||
13 | 50kg (110lb) | 61kg (134lb) | 62kg (137lb) | 72kg (159lb) | 71kg (157lb) | 69kg (152lb) | 77kg (170lb) | 88kg (194lb) | 87kg (192lb) | ||||||||
14 | 54kg (119lb) | 66kg (146lb) | 69kg (152lb) | 77kg (170lb) | 83kg (183lb) | 86kg (190lb) | 88kg (194lb) | 95kg (209lb) | 96kg (212lb) | ||||||||
15 | 58kg (128lb) | 67kg (148lb) | 74kg (163lb) | 81kg (179lb) | 92kg (lb) | 91kg (203lb) | 93kg (205lb) | 108kg (238lb) | 107kg (236lb) | ||||||||
16 | 67kg (148lb) | 77kg (170lb) | 87kg (192lb) | 95kg (209lb) | 101kg (223lb) | 108kg (238lb) | 112kg (247lb) | 118kg (260lb) | 119kg (262lb) | ||||||||
17 | 70kg (154lb) | 77kg (170lb) | 85kg (187lb) | 96kg (212lb) | 106kg (234lb) | 110kg (243lb) | 128kg (282lb) | 116kg (256lb) | 128kg (282lb) | ||||||||
18 | 76kg (168lb) | 88kg (194lb) | 97kg (214lb) | 107kg (236lb) | 114kg (251lb) | 123kg (271lb) | 131kg (289lb) | 136kg (300lb) | 136kg (300lb) |
Bench Press Standards for Young Women
Age | Weight Class | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
43kg (94lbs) | 47kg (103lbs) | 52kg (114lbs) | 57kg (125lbs) | 63kg (139lbs) | 69kg (152lbs) | 76kg (167lbs) | 84kg (185lbs) | +84kg (+185lbs) | |||||||||
13 | 35kg (77lb) | 39kg (86lb) | 41kg (90lb) | 42kg (93lb) | 41kg (90lb) | 44kg (97lb) | 46kg (101lb) | 49kg (108lb) | 49kg (108lb) | ||||||||
14 | 36kg (79lb) | 40kg (88lb) | 43kg (95lb) | 45kg (99lb) | 46kg (101lb) | 47kg (104lb) | 50kg (110lb) | 53kg (117lb) | 56kg (123lb) | ||||||||
15 | 35kg (77lb) | 42kg (93lb) | 43kg (95lb) | 45kg (99lb) | 46kg (101lb) | 49kg (108lb) | 48kg (106lb) | 54kg (119lb) | 60kg (132lb) | ||||||||
16 | 38kg (84lb) | 42kg (93lb) | 47kg (104lb) | 48kg (106lb) | 51kg (112lb) | 53kg (117lb) | 56kg (123lb) | 58kg (128lb) | 61kg (134lb) | ||||||||
17 | 35kg (77lb) | 43kg (95lb) | 46kg (101lb) | 49kg (108lb) | 51kg (112lb) | 52kg (115lb) | 52kg (115lb) | 59kg (130lb) | 63kg (139lb) | ||||||||
18 | 42kg (93lb) | 44kg (97lb) | 49kg (108lb) | 53kg (117lb) | 55kg (121lb) | 58kg (128lb) | 62kg (137lb) | 62kg (137lb) | 68kg (150lb) |
This data is intended to be used as a reference point for teenage lifters to determine if their bench press is above or below the average. The data also provides insight into how relative strength changes across age groups and weight classes.
Make sure to check out our other strength guides and standards:
- What Is The Average Squat Strength For 13-18 Yr Olds?
- What Is The Average Deadlift Strength For 13-18 Yr Olds?
- Squat To Bench Press Ratios: How Much More Should You Squat?
- Squat To Deadlift Ratios: Should You Squat or Deadlift More?
- How Much Should You Squat?
- How Much Should You Bench Press?
- How Much Should You Be Able To Deadlift (By Age & Weight)
Table of Contents
What Is The Average Bench Press Of A 13 Year Old?
The average bench for a male 13-year-old is 0.8 times bodyweight. The average bench for a female 13-year-old is 0.7 times bodyweight. Depending on the weight class, bench press will range from 50kg to 88kg for men and 35kg to 49kg for women.
Male 13 Year Olds
53kg
The average bench for this weight class is 50kg.
59kg
The average bench for this weight class is 61kg.
66kg
The average bench for this weight class is 62kg.
74kg
The average bench for this weight class is 72kg.
83kg
The average bench for this weight class is 71kg.
93kg
The average bench for this weight class is 69kg.
105kg
The average bench for this weight class is 77kg.
120kg
The average bench for this weight class is 88kg.
120+kg:
The average bench for this weight class is 87kg.
The trend for 13-year-old male’s strength in the bench press is a decrease in relative strength as the weight classes increase. The strongest weight class for the bench press is the 59kg class, who bench their bodyweight. The weakest class seems to be the 120+kg lifters who bench 0.7 times their bodyweight.
Female 13 Year Olds
43kg
The average bench for this weight class is 35kg.
47kg
The average bench for this weight class is 39kg.
52kg
The average bench for this weight class is 41kg.
57kg
The average bench for this weight class is 42kg.
63kg
The average bench for this weight class is 41kg.
69kg
The average bench for this weight class is 44kg.
76kg
The average bench for this weight class is 46kg.
84kg
The average bench for this weight class is 49kg.
84+kg:
The average bench for this weight class is 49kg.
Female 13-year-olds bench presses decrease on average as the weight classes increase. The strongest class is the 47kg class who bench on average 0.8 times their bodyweight. The weakest class according to the data is the 84+kg class who bench 0.5 times their bodyweight.
What Is The Average Bench For A 14 Year Old?
The average bench for male 14 year olds is 1.0 times bodyweight. The average bench strength of 14 year old females is 0.7 times bodyweight. Depending on the weight class, bench press will range from 54kg to 96kg for men and 36kg to 56kg for women.
Male 14 Year Olds
53kg
The average bench for this weight class is 54kg.
59kg
The average bench for this weight class is 66kg.
66kg
The average bench for this weight class is 69kg.
74kg
The average bench for this weight class is 77kg.
83kg
The average bench for this weight class is 83kg.
93kg
The average bench for this weight class is 86kg.
105kg
The average bench for this weight class is 88kg.
120kg
The average bench for this weight class is 95kg.
120+kg
The average bench for this weight class is 96kg.
The average bench press for 14-year-old male’s decreases as the weight classes increase. The 66kg weight class is the strongest on average with a 1.1 times bodyweight bench press. The 120+kg class is the weakest on average with a 0.7 times bodyweight bench press.
Female 14 Year Olds
43kg
The average bench for this weight class is 36kg.
47kg
The average bench for this weight class is 40kg.
52kg
The average bench for this weight class is 43kg.
57kg
The average bench for this weight class is 45kg.
63kg
The average bench for this weight class is 46kg.
69kg
The average bench for this weight class is 47kg.
76kg
The average bench for this weight class is 50kg.
84kg
The average bench for this weight class is 53kg.
84+kg
The average bench for this weight class is 56kg.
The lighter the lifters for female 14-year-olds, the more relative strength in the bench press on average. The data tells us that the strongest classes are the 43kg and 47kg classes who bench 0.8 times their bodyweight. The weakest class seems to be the 84+kg class who bench 0.6 times their bodyweight.
Are you struggling to get into the proper positions for your bench press? Check out these 13 Bench Press Cues For Max Strength
What Is The Average Bench Press For A 15 Year Old?
The average bench for a male 15-year-old is 1.0 times bodyweight. The average bench for a female 15-year-old is 0.8 times bodyweight. Depending on the weight class, bench press will range from 58kg to 108kg for men and 35kg to 60kg for women.
Male 15 Year Olds
53kg
The average bench for this weight class is 58kg.
59kg
The average bench for this weight class is 67kg.
66kg
The average bench for this weight class is 74kg.
74kg
The average bench for this weight class is 81kg.
83kg
The average bench for this weight class is 92kg.
93kg
The average bench for this weight class is 91kg.
105kg
The average bench for this weight class is 93kg.
120kg
The average bench for this weight class is 108kg
120+kg
The average bench for this weight class is 107kg.
The data tells us that the strongest weight class on average for 15-year-old males in the bench press is the 59kg class who bench 1.1 times their bodyweight. The weakest class on average is the 120+kg class who bench on average 0.8 times their bodyweight.
Female 15 Year Olds
43kg
The average bench for this weight class is 35kg
47kg
The average bench for this weight class is 42kg.
52kg
The average bench for this weight class is 43kg.
57kg
The average bench for this weight class is 45kg.
63kg
The average bench for this weight class is 46kg.
69kg
The average bench for this weight class is 49kg.
76kg
The average bench for this weight class is 48kg.
84kg
The average bench for this weight class is 54kg.
84+kg
The average bench for this weight class is 60kg.
The data tells us that the strongest average bench presses for 15-year-old females are from the 47kg class who bench 0.9 times their bodyweight. The classes who bench the least on average for this age group are the 76kg and 84kg classes who bench 0.8 times their bodyweight.
Experiencing a stall in progress with your bench press? Try these 9 Tips To Break Through A Bench Press Plateau
What Is The Average Bench Press For A 16 Year Old?
The average bench for a male 16-year-old is 1.2 times bodyweight. The average bench for a female 16-year-old is 0.8 times bodyweight. Depending on the weight class, bench press will range from 67kg to 119kg for men and 38kg to 61kg for women.
Male 16 Year Olds
53kg
The average bench for this weight class is 67kg.
59kg
The average bench for this weight class is 77kg.
66kg
The average bench for this weight class is 87kg.
74kg
The average bench for this weight class is 95kg.
83kg
The average bench for this weight class is 101kg.
93kg
The average bench for this weight class is 108kg.
105kg
The average bench for this weight class is 112kg.
120kg
The average bench for this weight class is 118kg.
120+kg
The average bench for this weight class is 119kg.
The relative strength for the 16-year-old male’s bench presses tends to decrease as the weight classes increase. The strongest weight classes according to the data are the 59kg and 66kg classes who bench 1.3 times their bodyweight. The weakest class on average seems to be the 120+kg who bench 0.9 times their bodyweight.
Female 16 Year Olds
43kg
The average bench for this weight class is 38kg.
47kg
The average bench for this weight class is 42kg.
52kg
The average bench for this weight class is 47kg.
57kg
The average bench for this weight class is 48kg.
63kg
The average bench for this weight class is 51kg.
69kg
The average bench for this weight class is 53kg.
76kg
The average bench for this weight class is 56kg.
84kg
The average bench for this weight class is 58kg.
84+kg
The average bench for this weight class is 61kg.
The strongest weight class for the 16-year-old females on average is the 47kg class who bench 0.9 times their bodyweight. The class with the least amount of relative strength for the bench press is the 84+kg class who bench 0.7 times their bodyweight.
Are you maximizing your bench press progress with the right accessories? Check out these 10 Bench Press Accessories to increase strength and technique
What Is The Average Bench Press For A 17 Year Old?
The average bench for a male 17-year-old is 1.2 times bodyweight. The average bench for a female 17-year-old is 0.8 times bodyweight. Depending on the weight class, bench press will range from 70kg to 128kg for men and 35kg to 63kg for women.
Male 17 Year Olds
53kg
The average bench for this weight class is 70kg.
59kg
The average bench for this weight class is 77kg.
66kg
The average bench for this weight class is 85kg.
74kg
The average bench for this weight class is 96kg.
83kg
The average bench for this weight class is 106kg.
93kg
The average bench for this weight class is 110kg.
105kg
The average bench for this weight class is 128kg.
120kg
The average bench for this weight class is 116kg.
120+kg
The average bench for this weight class is 128kg.
The data tells us that all male 17-year-olds can bench their bodyweight on average, except for the lifters in the 120kg and 120+kg classes. The class with the most relative strength in the bench press is the 53kg class who benches 1.3 times their bodyweight.
Female 17 Year Olds
43kg
The average bench for this weight class is 35kg.
47kg
The average bench for this weight class is 43kg.
52kg
The average bench for this weight class is 46kg.
57kg
The average bench for this weight class is 49kg.
63kg
The average bench for this weight class is 51kg.
69kg
The average bench for this weight class is 52kg.
76kg
The average bench for this weight class is 52kg.
84kg
The average bench for this weight class is 59kg.
84+kg
The average bench for this weight class is 63kg.
The data suggests that for 17-year-old females, the 57kg lifters have the strongest bench presses on average at 0.9 times their bodyweight. The class with the least amount of relative strength for the bench press is the 76kg class, that benches on average 0.7 times their body weight.
Do you know which weight class is the best for you? Check out our article on How To Pick Your Powerlifting Weight Class
What Is The Average Bench Press For An 18 Year Old?
The average bench for a male 18-year-old is 1.3 times bodyweight. The average bench for a female 18-year-old is 0.9 times bodyweight. Depending on the weight class, bench press will range from 76kg to 136kg for men and 42kg to 68kg for women.
Male 18 Year Olds
53kg
The average bench for this weight class is 76kg.
59kg
The average bench for this weight class is 88kg.
66kg
The average bench for this weight class is 97kg.
74kg
The average bench for this weight class is 107kg.
83kg
The average bench for this weight class is 114kg.
93kg
The average bench for this weight class is 123kg.
105kg
The average bench for this weight class is 131kg.
120kg
The average bench for this weight class is 136kg.
120+kg
The average bench for this weight class is 136kg.
The relative strength of the bench press for 18-year-old males is a downward trend as the weight classes increase. The strongest class according to the data is the 59kg class who benches on average 1.5 times their bodyweight. The weakest class seems to be the 120+kg class who benches approximately 1.0 times their bodyweight.
Read also: What Percent Of People Can Bench 225?
Female 18 Year Olds
43kg
The average bench for this weight class is 42kg.
47kg
The average bench for this weight class is 44kg.
52kg
The average bench for this weight class is 49kg.
57kg
The average bench for this weight class is 53kg.
63kg
The average bench for this weight class is 55kg.
69kg
The average bench for this weight class is 58kg.
76kg
The average bench for this weight class is 62kg.
84kg
The average bench for this weight class is 62kg.
84+kg
The average bench for this weight class is 68kg.
The 43kg class has the strongest relative strength in the bench press for female 18-year-old lifters at roughly 1.0 times bodyweight. The 84kg class has the weakest relative strength in the bench press, at 0.7 times bodyweight.
Are you strong enough to do your first powerlifting meet? Check out How Strong You Need To Be For Your First Powerlifting Meet
How Does Bench Press Strength Vary Among 13 to 18 Year Olds?
The data confirms that relative strength in the bench press increases as we age. This increase in strength can be attributed to the development of muscle mass, refinement of technique, and neuromuscular adaptations that occur over time with training.
The average bench press strength for male lifters increased from 0.8 times bodyweight to 1.3 times bodyweight across ages 13 to 18 respectively. The average bench press for female lifters increased from 0.7 times bodyweight to 0.9 times bodyweight from age 13 to 18.
The data also reveals that the lower weight classes in each weight class tended to have more relative strength than the higher weight classes. This is most likely attributed to the lighter weight classes having more lean muscle mass reflected in their total bodyweight – meaning they fill out their weight class with more lean muscle and have limited fat mass.
The limited amount of training experience for lifters at this age, would limit the amount of muscle that these age groups would be able to build. Therefore, the higher weight classes of these age groups are more likely to be filled out with fat mass rather than lean mass. Fat mass is not a contractile tissue, and therefore will not help lifters with increased body fat percentage to lift heavier weights, limiting their relative strength capacity.
Is there a benefit to being fat for powerlifting? Check out our article Will Powerlifting Make You Fat?
Final Thoughts
The data presented can help us to identify whether teenage lifters are average, below average, or above average in the bench press. This information can be useful to identify areas for improvement for those looking to compete in powerlifting, or simply present a measure for total upper body strength for those competing in other sports.
About The Author
Amanda Parker has a passion for competing and coaching in both powerlifting and weightlifting. She uses her knowledge from her Kinesiology Degree, CSCS, and Precision Nutrition certification to coach athletes and lifestyle clients for performance in training and nutrition. Connect with her on Instagram.