What does the average Joe bench?

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Guy off the street. Not a gym rat. Basic corp america worker.

135?

160?

What do you think? Opinions?

 

[jackangel]

160? No way.

135? On average? Less.

 

[perkele]

Depends how big the average Joe is....

150-220lbs

 

[tuc biscuit]

135 at most, at my gym I see most doing less than this

 

[jerkbox]

2 blocks in the nautilis chest press machine

 

[IvanOffelitch]

How many reps?

For a 1-rep max, I'd say "av'g Joe" (normal 160-180lb guy, no injuries, good health) would probably be around 165-185....essentially BP their own body weight.

FWIW, I've trained with a few "little" guys (and girls) who could put up some suprising #'s considering their size (or lack thereof lol)

1) a 24 y.o. kid who's 6'3", and maybe 160 lbs soaking wet...was putting up 135 for 4-5 reps...not too bad.

2) 28 y.o girl who's 5'7" and weighs around 105 did 95 lbs for reps....again, I was impressed. (she squatted 135 for reps until I made her quit!!! lol)

On the other hand, back in HS (1982-ish) I trained with a friend who was 1 of the stars of our HS gymnastics team...5'6", 170-ish lb tank...he was putting up 355+ for reps with ease (yes, he had...ahem..."help"...if you know what I mean)

 

[Becoming]

I would say most don't even hit 135... see WAY too many dudes in the gym doing less than that.....

A bodyweight bench would be most optomistic

 

[THeMaCHinE]

The average untrained schmoe can't bench their own bodyweight. I'd guess that *maybe* they'd hit 75% of bodyweight on average, on a good day.

 

[ConstantChange]

I'd say the average guy could put up around 170 for a rep.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

It ultiamtely depends on the persons bw imo.