A 180 lb male with an Intermediate-level Bodyweight Squat of 56 lbs ranks at the 50th percentile (FVCP), stronger than ~50% of lifters. An Advanced lifter at this weight lifts 107 lbs (0.59x bodyweight).
FitnessVolt Competition Percentile (FVCP), based on 2.5M+ verified competition results
How strong is your Bodyweight Squat? Compare your 1RM against standards for 21 bodyweight categories, from Beginner to Elite.
How Strong Is Your Bodyweight Squat?
How Much Should You Bodyweight Squat?
1RM weight (lbs) you should be able to lift at each standard, based on your bodyweight.
| BW (lbs) | Beginner | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110 | < 1 | 12 | 62 | 131 | 215 |
| 120 | < 1 | 13 | 61 | 127 | 206 |
| 130 | < 1 | 15 | 61 | 123 | 198 |
| 140 | < 1 | 15 | 60 | 120 | 191 |
| 150 | < 1 | 16 | 59 | 116 | 184 |
| 160 | < 1 | 16 | 58 | 113 | 178 |
| 170 | < 1 | 17 | 57 | 110 | 172 |
| 180 | < 1 | 17 | 56 | 107 | 167 |
| 190 | < 1 | 17 | 55 | 104 | 162 |
| 200 | < 1 | 17 | 54 | 101 | 157 |
| 210 | < 1 | 17 | 53 | 99 | 152 |
| 220 | < 1 | 17 | 52 | 96 | 148 |
| 230 | < 1 | 17 | 51 | 94 | 144 |
| 240 | < 1 | 17 | 50 | 92 | 140 |
| 250 | < 1 | 17 | 49 | 90 | 137 |
| 260 | < 1 | 16 | 48 | 88 | 133 |
| 270 | < 1 | 16 | 47 | 86 | 130 |
| 280 | < 1 | 16 | 46 | 84 | 127 |
| 290 | < 1 | 16 | 45 | 82 | 124 |
| 300 | < 1 | 16 | 44 | 80 | 121 |
| 310 | < 1 | 15 | 44 | 79 | 119 |
| 90 | < 1 | 7 | 46 | 100 | 165 |
| 100 | < 1 | 8 | 44 | 95 | 156 |
| 110 | < 1 | 8 | 43 | 91 | 148 |
| 120 | < 1 | 8 | 42 | 87 | 140 |
| 130 | < 1 | 9 | 40 | 83 | 133 |
| 140 | < 1 | 9 | 39 | 80 | 127 |
| 150 | < 1 | 9 | 38 | 77 | 122 |
| 160 | < 1 | 8 | 37 | 74 | 117 |
| 170 | < 1 | 8 | 35 | 71 | 112 |
| 180 | < 1 | 8 | 34 | 68 | 108 |
| 190 | < 1 | 8 | 33 | 66 | 104 |
| 200 | < 1 | 8 | 32 | 64 | 100 |
| 210 | < 1 | 7 | 31 | 61 | 96 |
| 220 | < 1 | 7 | 30 | 59 | 93 |
| 230 | < 1 | 7 | 29 | 57 | 90 |
| 240 | < 1 | 7 | 28 | 56 | 87 |
| 250 | < 1 | 6 | 27 | 54 | 85 |
| 260 | < 1 | 6 | 26 | 52 | 82 |
How Does Age Affect Bodyweight Squat Strength?
How Bodyweight Squat standards change across different age groups. Values represent a 1RM in lbs.
| Age | Beginner | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | < 1 | 9 | 44 | 91 | 147 |
| 20 | < 1 | 14 | 55 | 109 | 173 |
| 25 | < 1 | 16 | 57 | 113 | 178 |
| 30 | < 1 | 16 | 57 | 113 | 178 |
| 35 | < 1 | 16 | 57 | 113 | 178 |
| 40 | < 1 | 16 | 57 | 113 | 178 |
| 45 | < 1 | 13 | 53 | 105 | 167 |
| 50 | < 1 | 11 | 48 | 97 | 155 |
| 55 | < 1 | 8 | 42 | 87 | 141 |
| 60 | < 1 | 6 | 36 | 77 | 126 |
| 65 | < 1 | 2 | 29 | 67 | 111 |
| 70 | < 1 | < 1 | 23 | 57 | 97 |
| 75 | < 1 | < 1 | 18 | 48 | 84 |
| 80 | < 1 | < 1 | 13 | 40 | 72 |
| 85 | < 1 | < 1 | 9 | 33 | 61 |
| 90 | < 1 | < 1 | 6 | 26 | 52 |
| 15 | < 1 | 3 | 29 | 65 | 107 |
| 20 | < 1 | 7 | 37 | 78 | 126 |
| 25 | < 1 | 8 | 39 | 81 | 131 |
| 30 | < 1 | 8 | 39 | 81 | 131 |
| 35 | < 1 | 8 | 39 | 81 | 131 |
| 40 | < 1 | 8 | 39 | 81 | 131 |
| 45 | < 1 | 6 | 35 | 75 | 122 |
| 50 | < 1 | 4 | 31 | 69 | 113 |
| 55 | < 1 | 1 | 27 | 61 | 102 |
| 60 | < 1 | < 1 | 22 | 54 | 91 |
| 65 | < 1 | < 1 | 17 | 46 | 79 |
| 70 | < 1 | < 1 | 12 | 38 | 68 |
| 75 | < 1 | < 1 | 9 | 31 | 58 |
| 80 | < 1 | < 1 | 5 | 24 | 48 |
| 85 | < 1 | < 1 | 1 | 19 | 40 |
| 90 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | 14 | 33 |
What Do Bodyweight Squat Strength Standards Mean?
Stronger than 5% of lifters. You are learning to hit proper depth on the Bodyweight Squat, building ankle and hip mobility, and developing the bracing pattern needed to keep your torso upright under load.
Stronger than 20% of lifters. You can execute the Bodyweight Squat with consistent depth and bracing. You are adding weight session to session using linear progression and building foundational leg strength.
Stronger than 50% of lifters. Your Bodyweight Squat technique is solid through heavy loads. You use periodized programming, understand RPE-based autoregulation, and can grind through sticking points without form breakdown.
Stronger than 80% of lifters. You have refined your Bodyweight Squat stance, bar position, and breathing to maximize leverage. You train with block periodization, manage fatigue across training cycles, and likely compete or train at a competitive level.
Stronger than 95% of lifters. Your Bodyweight Squat is at a regional or national competitive standard. You have years of structured peaking cycles behind you and have optimized every technical detail from walkout to lockout.
How to Progress Your Bodyweight Squat
Tier-specific training recommendations to move your Bodyweight Squat to the next level.
- Train the Bodyweight Squat 2x per week, focusing on hitting consistent depth every rep.
- Use linear progression: add 5 lbs each session as long as form stays solid.
- Record sets at RPE 6-7 to build volume without excessive fatigue.
- Prioritize ankle and hip mobility work before each session.
- Switch from linear to weekly periodization (e.g., light/medium/heavy days).
- Add a Bodyweight Squat variation (pause squats, tempo squats) for weak-point work.
- Keep most working sets at RPE 7-8, with occasional top singles at RPE 9.
- Start tracking your training volume (sets x reps x load) week to week.
- Run 4-6 week training blocks with planned intensity peaks and deloads.
- Use RPE 8-9 for primary sets, RPE 7 for backoff volume.
- Address specific sticking points with targeted accessory work.
- Manage fatigue: total weekly sets of 12-20 for the Bodyweight Squat movement pattern.
- Run structured peaking cycles (8-12 weeks) leading to maximal attempts.
- Fine-tune technique details: walkout, descent speed, breath timing.
- Use the RPE chart to hit precise percentages during peaking blocks.
- Consider competing to test your Bodyweight Squat under meet conditions.
How to Perform Bodyweight Squat
- Start standing with feet shoulder-width apart and toes slightly pointed out.
- Engage your core and keep your chest up and back straight.
- Lower your body by bending your knees and hips, as if sitting back into a chair.
- Keep your weight on your heels and ensure your knees track over your toes.
- Lower until your thighs are parallel to the ground or as far as comfortable.
- Push through your heels to return to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Tips for Bodyweight Squat
- Keep your chest up and back straight to avoid rounding your spine.
- Ensure your knees do not collapse inward; they should track over your toes.
- Go as low as your flexibility allows, aiming for thighs parallel to the ground.
- Use a mirror or record yourself to check for proper form.
- For added difficulty, perform slower repetitions or pause at the bottom of the squat.
Where Do These Bodyweight Squat Standards Come From?
These Bodyweight Squat standards are based on 2.5M+ verified competition results from powerlifting, weightlifting, and strongman federations worldwide. Every number comes from a sanctioned meet with certified judges - not self-reported gym lifts. Data is sourced from OpenPowerlifting and other verified competition databases, ensuring accuracy you can trust.
Last Updated: March 30, 2026
Reviewed by the Fitness Volt Editorial Team, certified strength training analysts.
Is Your Bodyweight Squat Good for Your Weight?
Strength standards help you objectively measure your Bodyweight Squat performance relative to other lifters of the same bodyweight and sex. Here is how to interpret them:
- Find your bodyweight in the left column of the table above.
- Look across the row to find which strength level your 1RM falls into.
- Use the age tab to see how your strength compares within your age group.
- Switch between Male and Female standards using the toggle - each has its own dataset.
If you do not know your 1RM, use the E1RM Calculator to estimate it from any rep set. For example, if you can Bodyweight Squat 185 lbs for 5 reps, the calculator will estimate your max.
These standards are derived from 2.5M+ competition results across powerlifting, weightlifting, and strongman federations worldwide, combined with community training data.