What is a good overhead press?
Roughly 0.7× bodyweight is intermediate for men and 0.5× for women; advanced is about 1× for men and 0.75× for women.
These ratios assume a strict standing press with a barbell: no push from the legs and no lean back. A push press or a seated machine press will move more.
Like every bodyweight ratio, they are slightly generous to heavier lifters, because absolute strength does not rise in step with bodyweight. Treat them as a range, not a grade.
Run the numbers
Sources
2
- Kilgore, L. & Rippetoe, M. (2006). Practical Programming for Strength Training. The Aasgaard Company. Book. Origin of the training-level framework.
- Santos Junior, E.R.T. et al. (2021). Classification and determination model of resistance training status. Strength Cond J 43(5). Argues training status is better judged by years trained and technique than by a single ratio.