Welcome! In this post, you will learn about some of the most incredible senior bench press records. They are higher than you might think!
The bench press is probably the most well-known gym exercise you can perform. In one word it’s iconic.
There is a reason people all over the world include the bench press in their gym routines.
There is also a reason why the exercise is a part of the powerlifting main events.
The bench press developed and shows your pressing strength and overall upper body strength, unlike any other exercise.
While most seniors don’t compete in powerlifting, the bench press is still a very beneficial exercise for you.
You might think that people over 60 can’t bench press heavyweights due to aging but you’re in for a surprise!
Let’s start with a quick recap of the exercise before introducing the bench press records for different age groups.
What Is The Bench Press
It’s likely you know what the bench press is if you wound up here through a search engine. But in case you don’t know what the bench press is here’s a quick recap.
The bench press is a pressing exercise that involves pressing a barbell up from your chest while laying on a special bench press bench.
Your back is supported by the bench and arms, shoulder muscles, and pectorals do the major work in lifting.
The bench press is a good gauge for your upper body strength because of the fixed position. You can’t effectively use the legs and hips to drive the bar upward.
A heavy bench press is still a full-body movement. The legs and hips do actually participate a bit in driving the bar up for most lifters. But it’s more of a stabilizing effect than an actual forceful drive.
This makes the bench press an easier exercise to judge in competition than the overhead press for example.
It’s still possible to cheat in bench press by bouncing the barbell from the rib cage or by doing half reps.
That’s why in powerlifting and bench press competitions there are a few rules for an approved lift.
The lift has to start from a full lockout and it needs to pause on the chest until a judge gives the press command. The lift finishes in full lockout as well.
The lockouts and the pause make the bench press a relatively easy lift to compete and judge. They take out the guesswork off the lift.
You can read more about powerlifting rules in the article Powerlifting For Seniors.
Raw Vs Equipped
Before we talk about the records for different age groups it’s important you understand the difference between raw and equipped lifting.
These days there are so many federations, clubs, and leagues of powerlifting and bench pressing that not all results are directly comparable.
The main lifting rules tend to be the same with most federations but one key difference is between the allowed equipment.
Raw lifting means that any equipment that helps to directly lift more weight is not allowed. This means that only accepted lifting belts, wrist rapes, chalk, and singlets are allowed.
In equipped bench pressing the typical equipment are a special bench press shirt that has a strong elastic pull over the chest. This adds a significant amount of force to the bottom movement of the lift and can increase the lift by over 100 lbs.
On an equipped bench press, also heavier wrist wraps and elbow sleeves can be used. I’m not going to go into detail about the equipment here.
Besides equipment, it’s important to understand that your sex and body weight affects your strength significantly. Especially in the bench press.
So an equipped, super-heavy male bench press record is going to be drastically heavier than a raw, lightweight female.
Senior Bench Press Records For Over 50
I want to start the records from the over 50 class. I realize that no one over 50 is generally considered a senior. But if you think about athletes it’s a different thing.
Just think about how many professional football or hockey players, gymnasts, or runners are there over 50.
It’s clear that when you are past 50, aging will have an effect on your athletic performance. No matter how good genetics you have.
So for powerlifting and bench pressing someone over 50 can already be considered a senior lifter.
The current raw bench press record in the Master 50-59 series is 562 lbs. It’s set by Kole Carter (USA) on 04/21/18 in the super heavyweight class.
Senior Bench Press Records For Over 60
Ovver 60 is generally considered a seniors even if you are not an athlete.
The interesting thing about powerlifting is that there are plenty of very strong people in their sixties.
If you’ve been lifting for decades and stayed healthy, at sixty the age-related physical decline might not be that significant. I talked more about this in the article Weight Training For Men Over 60.
This is reflected in these very respectable bench press records for people over 60.
The current raw bench press record in the Master 60+ series is 501 lbs. It’s set by Jim Ray (USA) on 04/19/18 in the super heavyweight class.
You can see the incredible lift on Jim Ray’s YouTube channel (YouTube Embed, content not owned or created by ElderStrength.com)
Senior Bench Press Records For Over 70 and 80
While you might be surprised at the amount of weight being lifted in the 60+ category, it doesn’t end there.
There are plenty of people over 70 or even 80 competing in powerlifting that can still put up significant numbers.
At this age general health and genetics really start to affect your physical performance drastically. But with years of training and avoiding serious injuries, you can maintain a good amount of strength even after 80.
There aren’t official categories for people over 70 and 80 in many competitions since they are usually included in the 60+ category. But here are a couple of impressive lifts in these age groups:
Ash Sinclairs 135 kg bench press world record for the up to 82,5 kg class. That’s about 298 lbs with a bodyweight of about 180. At that weight at the age of 71 that’s pretty incredible.
Phil Poppinos 330 lbs bench press at the age of 80 is even more incredible.
Conclusion
I hope you found this article about senior bench press records useful and interesting. If you have any comments feel free to leave them below.
The bench press is an exercise that aging doesn’t necessarily affect that much. You can do it slowly compared to Olympic weightlifting and is generally easier on the back than the squat and deadlift.
So there are plenty of seniors that bench presses respectable weight in competition. When looking at these records it’s very important to realize that they don’t reflect average or realistic strength standards for regular people in any way.
All these records have been done by athletes that have honed their skills for decades in most cases.
It’s also important to realize that many strength athletes might use performance-enhancing drugs even if they are in tested federations.
Aging reduces many key hormones but especially testosterone. So especially many senior men competitors might be on testosterone replacement therapy that’s allowed in the rules.
It still gives a significant edge over regular seniors, even if they have been doing strength training all their life.
So if you are seniors that like bench pressing it’s important to focus on your own results and health over anything.
I do understand that it’s fun to see what other people are capable of course.
Thanks for reading and see you next time!
I am 72 and want to compete in the bench press, what do I need to do. I live in Columbus Ohio. I can press 220 now and that’s going up.
First of all, that’s a great lift Clayton! Congratulations on the progress. I think the best course of action would be to find a local powerlifting association and see if they have competitions just for the bench. I’m sure the local enthusiasts will at least be able to help you find the correct people and associations for competing in masters series bench pressing. It’s always a good idea to start in local small competitions to get a feel for the setting and to really get your competition routine down. The last thing you want is to miss a great lift due to technical errors in a big competition. Hope this helps and let me know how it goes!
Ohio has plenty of Powerlifting gyms you could join. Next find a Federation that sponsors competitions near you and join. If you only want to Bench press for competition. bench press programs are on the internet and are free. Get one that you can do twice a week.
What is the world record for bench press for a man of 85 yrs old , weigh 145 pds ?
Sorry for the long wait in response Luiggi! I looked up the IPF world records for masters 4 age category (70+). 145 lbs would be just below 66 kg which is the next weight category from 59 kg. If the weight holds in weigh in, they could compete in the 59 kg class in my understanding.
The current IPF record in bench press in the 59 kg category for men is 95.5 kg. Since the masters 4 category is for people over 70+ the younger guys will, of course, have an edge over the people who are significantly older than 70. It’s also good to remember there are other powerlifting federations besides IPF that can have higher age brackets.
Hope this helps and don’t hesitate to ask if more questions pop into your mind!
check out (openpowerlifting.org) they have a list of current records.
I am 74 years old and recently maxed at 330 on the bench at a body weight of 180.
That’s pretty incredible weight at your age Ron! Congratulations. If you can hit that with competition rules, you should definitely start competing. I think that’s very close, if not better than the current IPF records for 83 kg weight class.
Next time I do try a max I will have someone video it. 298 is an easy lift for me.
Good idea Ron. Feel free to report back with the results! And good luck with the training and be careful.
Is there a way I can send you a video of my 315 bench or my 325 bench?
Ron
Sorry for the late reply Ron. If you want, you can send it to elderstrength0@gmail.com and I will check it out!
looking for a 65 year old bench meet? Raw
Hi James! I would check online for local powerlifting associations and contact them. They usually organize meets and even if they don’t have a bench meet for masters, they will likely know who organizes them. I will leave your comment here for everyone to see, in case one of my readers can help you out. Feel free to answer back with your location or region!
Is there any ONE PLACE someone can go for definitive answers to questions about records?
I am 71
165-170lbs
bench press only, no assistive devices-clean
I look around and everything is jumbled and confusing
thanks
Hi Paul! Unfortunately not. I stumbled into this same issue while looking for world records in different age and right categories. Like you said, it’s jumbled and confusing. I think it’s because bench press is just one part of powerlifting and there are so many federations. Powerlifting is also not an olympic sport and there are no “master” world series, even though there are many federations.
Hi, new to your forum. I currently have the national bench press record for UPA masters 4 ,125 kilo weight class at 330.7. I’m competing 9/23/23 at Nightmare Muscle Bash in Sacramento,Ca. Training is going well and 165 kilos + is my goal. My name is Rick Lebleu. Stay strong.
Great to have you on board Rick! Good luck with the competition and keep us updated with your comp lifts!
Interesting article. I’m pushing 70 and my bench is 225. One time in my early fifties I benched 300 one time. The past several yrs. I have been walking and jump roping more and have been less committed to lifting. I’m hoping to bench more, but I don’t think if it is realistic to think I can get to 300 again. Opinions welcome
In all honesty Dayton, 225 at 70 is great. It’s beyond that actually. You have all the upper body strength and muscle mass you could ever need for optimal health. I agree that 300 would likely not be realistic goal, unless you are very large and/or dedicated. I’m not saying it’s impossible, definitely not. Just beware that it might not be worth the risk. You’ve hit that number when younger, now it’s time to enjoy the benefits of the work you put in back then. Oh, and definitely keep lifting!
I used to be able to bench 370 weighing 155 lbs and use to rep 225 for 26 reps , I was doing this into my 40’s , now I’m 62 and I could barely max 260 and only get 7 reps at 225
Is there anyway I can get strong like I once was without using any enhancing drugs , I’ve always been clean and never used anything , I just feel so weak now
370 lbs is a very respectable bench but 225 for 26 reps at 155 lbs is on a whole different level! The reality is that you were in peak performance for a natural – especially relative to weight – so it’s going to be near impossible to achieve the same results at your current age without PEDs. You are still very strong for your age and weight. I would personally focus on maintaining strength and avoiding injuries. But if you train intelligently I’m sure you could easily gain back some of the lost strength. I would recommend checking out the 5/3/1 program.
Senior Powerlifting competitions are in every state. A competitor can go full powerlifting, (Squat, Bench Deadlift) Bench and Deadlift or Just Bench Press. You have Raw and Equipped. These are all held in powerlifting federations. See which one’s are in your area. See the rules of each federation. Know how to properly execute each lift. The Bench Press rules are. Feet flat on the floor, Head on the bench, pause the bar on the chest until the judge tells you to press. Lock out the bar at the top. and rack the bar when told too. Most gym bench presser’s bounce the bar off their chest, Arch their but off the bench. practice the list above and see if you still want to compete.
Hi my name is George I hold two world records amateur and pro I set in New Hampshire in April 2023 my bench was 320 pounds raw classic I weigh in at 174 pounds at 66 years old do you know if they is a bigger bench then mind in the world drug free
Hi George! I do not know of a higher bench. If you have officially set a world record you better believe it. Congratulations! For example in the USPA federation raw bench record for your age and weight category is 125 kg or 275 lbs.
Hello this is George Again just wanted to know why Im not being noticed for my world records I set them in Epping New Hampshire April 2022 Revolution Power Lifting you can look it up George Morgan raw classic 181 pound class Amateur and pro the day of the meet I weigh 174 pounds 66 years old
Hi George! I did not mention the records of every weight class and age group and every federation in the article. That’s why your record was not included. But don’t worry, people can find you record here in the comments. I’ll see if I find the time to update the article and include a few other weight classes, your included. Merry Christmas!
My name is David I am 63 years will turn 64 in March I can bench 315 for ten reps have hit 405 for three and maxed out at 440 this year you think it is worth going after a record with proper training and nutrition
Definitely Dave! You don’t mention your bodyweight but I would be very surprised if you are not in the heavy weight or super heavyweight class. Either way that’s a very respectable max and I think you have a shot in making a record!
At our local club, on Jan-25-2024 I celebrated my 79th birthday with my 225# body weight. That day I was filmed at the Fitness Project (Conroe Tx) and the club manager me member of the month. My target was to bench 134 lbs 79x non-stop reps (2x 45# plates and a 20kg bar=134#). That day I benched the 134# 75x non-stop reps twice with a 20-minute break between my 2-sets. Two weeks later I achieved my 79 rep target. On my birthday my arm stroking distance got understandably shorter-n-shorter as I increased my reps up and got washed out at my 75th rep. Check out the video on FACEBOOK for “Fitness Project Conroe Texas”. I’ll try 80-reps next year on my 80th birthday.
That’s some serious stamina Don! Many people don’t know how hard it is to do long sets like these. While I personally prefer lower reps with heavier weights, these types of longer sets are actually great for general health and building work capacity. Would love to know what kind of weights you can lift for say 5 to 10 reps? If you never do heavier sets don’t mind the questions, keep on doing what works for you. Good luck with the training!