Overhead Press Standards
How does your overhead press stack up? These are the beginner / novice / experienced / intermediate / advanced / elite tiers (higher is better), by sex.
| Tier | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 40 kg | 25 kg |
| Novice | 50 kg | 30 kg |
| Experienced | 60 kg | 35 kg |
| Intermediate | 70 kg | 40 kg |
| Advanced | 85 kg | 50 kg |
| Elite | 95 kg | 55 kg |
These are Take Point Fitness's own standards, checked against openly licensed research or public test tables where one exists. Each tier is a point on the 0–100 score (50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100), not a population percentile.
Counts toward the HABS score of: Gym-Goer · Hybrid Athlete · CrossFit · HYROX · Powerlifter · Bodybuilder
How to improve your Overhead Press
- Train the lift 2–3×/week with progressive overload — add a little load or a rep most sessions.
- Keep most volume in the 3–6 rep range for strength, with lighter back-off sets for size.
- Fix the limiting position (depth, lockout, bracing) before chasing a bigger number.
FAQ
What is a good Overhead Press?
"Experienced" is the middle of Take Point Fitness's six tiers and a solid Overhead Press for a trained athlete — see the table above for the exact figure for your sex. "Advanced" is a high standard, and "Elite" is our top tier. These are our own standards, not population percentiles.
How is the Overhead Press scored?
Your result is placed on a 0–100 curve anchored at the beginner / novice / experienced / intermediate / advanced / elite tiers, adjusted for sex. A higher number scores higher.
How can I improve my Overhead Press?
Train the lift 2–3×/week with progressive overload — add a little load or a rep most sessions. Keep most volume in the 3–6 rep range for strength, with lighter back-off sets for size. Fix the limiting position (depth, lockout, bracing) before chasing a bigger number.
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