For a 15-year-old, the average is around 85 pounds. For a 16-year-old, the average is around 100 pounds. For a 17-year-old, the average is around 115 pounds. And for an 18-year-old, the average is around 130 pounds.
The average male beginner might aim to bench press 135 lbs. A beginner female, on the other hand, might start with a 65 lbs lift. Remember, these are just averages—individual capabilities vary significantly.
A good rule of thumb is to start with a weight you can easily lift 10 times, with the last two repetitions being increasingly difficult. For some teens, this might be 1 pound to 2 pounds. If you are strong and fit, you might start at 15 pounds to 20 pounds.
After a year of lifting weights, 56% of guys could bench more than 135 pounds, but only 5% could bench 225. A third of guys were still benching less than 135 pounds. In your second year, I would aim to get past 135 pounds. You might even be able to bench 135 for sets of 6–12 reps.
That's your one rep max (1RM) – the peak weight you can handle for a single lift, be it a squat, bench press, deadlift, or any other exercise.
For men, a good starting point is to bench press your own bodyweight. The average American male weighs about 200 pounds. An untrained 198-pound man can usually lift around 135 pounds. Women should aim to bench press 50-75% of their bodyweight.
If someone says they lifted a “one-plate bench,” this means that they lifted a bar with one 45-pound plate on each side, for a total lift of 135 pounds. Likewise, a “two-plate” lift would mean two 45-pound plates on each side, for a total lift of 225 pounds, and so on.
What Percentage of Men Can Bench 225? A two-plate bench is relatively uncommon. Only 17% of men who completed my survey had ever benched 225 pounds, and only 1% had reached the next milestone of 315 pounds.
For a 15-year-old, the average is around 85 pounds. For a 16-year-old, the average is around 100 pounds. For a 17-year-old, the average is around 115 pounds. And for an 18-year-old, the average is around 130 pounds.
After three to four years of consistent training, the average guy should be able to lift the following weight on the four main barbell lifts: Squat: 2x bodyweight. Deadlift: 2.5x bodyweight. Press: 1x bodyweight.
Strength-training programs are generally safe. When done properly, strength training won't hurt growing bones. Teens with some medical conditions — such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, seizures, or heart problems — will need to be cleared by their doctors before starting a strength-training program.
Fully grown silverbacks are in actually stronger than 20 adult humans combined. How strong is a Mountain Gorilla? – A Silverback gorilla can lift 4,000 lb (1,810 kg) on a bench press, while a well-trained man can only lift up to 885 lb.
The current world record (equipped, with shirt) is held by American Jimmy Kolb established on July 29th, 2023, at the 2023 IPA Tristar Bash meet, when he successfully locked out 635 kg (1,401 lb), beating the previous record by 23 kg (51 lb).
So if somebody says "I can bench two plates," they mean two on each side, or 225 pounds. Here are the common numbers in that scheme: 135 pounds: one 45-pound plate on each side. 225 pounds: two 45-pound plates on each side.
If you're using gym math to calculate the weight of a barbell holding 90 pounds on each side, though, you might say that the sum of 90 and 90 is 225. That's because the barbell is 45 pounds, making the calculation 90 pounds + 90 pounds + 45 pounds, which is 225 pounds.
Most barbells weigh 45 lbs (20 kg), these will be the ones you see at your gym. They are made of steel with smooth 'sleeves' at each end to slide weight plates onto and are 7 ft in length. However there are many other different types.
FOR AS LONG as men have clanked platters of iron onto barbells, the bench press has been a strength benchmark. Some guys swear that you're nothing unless you can push two plates, minimum.
The National Strength and Conditioning Association discovered that the typical adult male can bench press 135 lbs, squat 125 lbs, and deadlift 155 lbs. For the average adult female, these numbers are 64 lbs for the bench press, 72 lbs for the squat, and 93 lbs for the deadlift.
After a decade of lifting weights, almost everyone can squat with more than 135 pounds on the bar, and most guys can squat at least two plates for at least a few repetitions. As before, only around 1 in 6 lifetime lifters have ever squatted 315 pounds, but now 1 in 17 can squat 405.
I've been consistent by several years and I'm still lifting around 190-200 lbs. Giuseppe Dedomenico he asked how rare it was, not how hard is it. Studies say only about 0.4% of the population can bench 225. So the answer is very rare.
Generally, a 315 squat means you're no longer intermediate and you've entered the world of advanced lifters. It's a substantial weight, to say the least, and for many people, it's a big milestone.
The 5×5 workout has been popular since the 1970s for a reason—it works. Because you're training compound exercises that work multiple muscle groups at the same time, you'll gain strength and size with three workouts per week. It's important to start light and get your form correct.
Rest between set durations should be based on sets/exercise (volume), and not load or training goal. General recommendations include moderate (2 min) rest between sets if performing 2 sets/exercise, long rest (3 min) if performing 3 sets/exercise, and very long rest (> 4 min) if performing 4 sets or more/exercise.