How Rare Is a 225 Bench

Rarity of a 225-pound bench press

Global population statistics

• Less than 1% of the global population can perform a 225-pound bench press, emphasizing how rare a 225 bench is
• Only about 0.075% of people worldwide, which is less than 1 in every 1,000 people, can bench 225 pounds, showcasing the 225 bench press rarity
• Approximately 581 million people worldwide can bench press 225 pounds, indicating the percentage of people who can bench 225

Gym-goer statistics

• About 3% of gym-goers, or 3 in every 100 people, can bench press 225 pounds, illustrating how rare a 225 bench is among fitness enthusiasts
• An estimated 2% of gym-goers can perform a 225-pound bench press, though this number may be inaccurate, further highlighting the 225 bench press rarity

United States statistics

• In the US, an estimated 0.075-2% of the population can bench press 225 pounds, which is about 17,000-34,000 people, demonstrating how rare a 225 bench is in the country
• According to data from the past 70 years, approximately 1.3 million Americans can bench press 225 pounds, which is about 4% of the total population, providing insight into the percentage of people who can bench 225

Factors influencing the rarity

Physical attributes

• Weighing at least 220 lbs is an advantage in reaching a bench press of 225 pounds, contributing to the 225 bench press rarity
• Those who weigh 132-181 lbs are most likely to be able to bench 225 pounds, while those under 114 lbs need much more training and experience, affecting how rare a 225 bench is

Age and gender

• 18-34 year olds have the highest number of individuals who can bench 225 pounds, with 2.4 million in this demographic, influencing the percentage of people who can bench 225
• Only elite female lifters can bench 225 pounds, while for men, it's limited to intermediate lifters who need to lift for a couple of years, contributing to the 225 bench press rarity

Training and experience

• Reaching a 225-pound bench press can take anywhere from 6 months to 1 year for a novice lifter, depending on factors such as previous resistance training and bodyweight-to-lift ratio, affecting how rare a 225 bench is
• To achieve a 225-pound bench press, focus on building lat and tricep strength through exercises like weighted pull-ups and chain bench press, which can impact the percentage of people who can bench 225

Training recommendations

Frequency and volume

• 2-3 times per week with lower percentage/RPE (70-80%) and lots of volume helps learn the movement and build comfort for beginners aiming to achieve the rare 225 bench
• Volume is the #1 thing to get right for bench press; 2 times per week with high volume leads to big gains, potentially increasing the percentage of people who can bench 225
• Some advanced lifters have achieved significant strength gains with lower frequency, such as 1 time per week or 3 times every 4 weeks, which may contribute to the 225 bench press rarity

Techniques and exercises

• Incorporate close grip bench into your weekly routine to improve lockout strength and work towards the rare 225 bench
• Use board press, weighted dips, weighted chins, and flat dumbbell press as effective accessory exercises to increase your chances of achieving the 225 bench press
• Focus on proper bar path and form when attempting 225 pounds to ensure proper lift execution and potentially join the small percentage of people who can bench 225

Progressive overload

• To reach a bench press of 225 pounds in 3-24 months, lift heavy, practice good form, and progressively add weight or reps each week, which can help overcome the 225 bench press rarity
• Increase reps at 215 pounds for a few weeks before attempting 225 pounds, a strategy that may contribute to increasing how rare a 225 bench is

FAQ

How rare is a 225 bench press?

A 225-pound bench press is quite rare, with only about 0.075-2% of the global population able to perform this feat. In the general population, less than 1 in 1,000 people can bench 225 pounds, highlighting its rarity.

What percentage of people can bench 225 pounds?

Approximately 0.075-2% of the global population can bench 225 pounds. Among gym-goers, the percentage is slightly higher, with about 2-3% able to perform this lift.

How does the 225 bench press rarity compare between men and women?

The 225 bench press is significantly rarer among women. Only elite female lifters can achieve this feat, while for men, it's attainable by intermediate lifters who have trained for a couple of years.

How long does it typically take to achieve a 225-pound bench press?

For a novice lifter, reaching a 225-pound bench press can take anywhere from 6 months to 1 year, depending on factors such as previous resistance training experience and bodyweight-to-lift ratio.

What factors contribute to the 225 bench press rarity?

Several factors contribute to the rarity of a 225 bench press, including physical attributes (such as body weight), age, gender, training experience, and dedication to proper form and progressive overload in weightlifting routines.