A 180 lb male with an Intermediate-level Muscle Ups of 7 lbs ranks at the 50th percentile (FVCP), stronger than ~50% of lifters. An Advanced lifter at this weight lifts 11 lbs (0.06x bodyweight).
FitnessVolt Competition Percentile (FVCP), based on 2.5M+ verified competition results
How strong is your Muscle Ups? Compare your 1RM against standards for 21 bodyweight categories, from Beginner to Elite.
How Strong Is Your Muscle Ups?
How Much Should You Muscle Ups?
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 | < 1 | 5 | 11 | 18 |
| 120 | < 1 | < 1 | 6 | 11 | 18 |
| 130 | < 1 | < 1 | 6 | 12 | 18 |
| 140 | < 1 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 18 |
| 150 | < 1 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 18 |
| 160 | < 1 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 18 |
| 170 | < 1 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 17 |
| 180 | < 1 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 17 |
| 190 | < 1 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 17 |
| 200 | < 1 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 16 |
| 210 | < 1 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 16 |
| 220 | < 1 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 15 |
| 230 | < 1 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 15 |
| 240 | < 1 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 15 |
| 250 | < 1 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 14 |
| 260 | < 1 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 14 |
| 270 | < 1 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 13 |
| 280 | < 1 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 13 |
| 290 | < 1 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 12 |
| 300 | < 1 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 12 |
| 310 | < 1 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 12 |
| 90 | < 1 | < 1 | 2 | 8 | 14 |
| 100 | < 1 | < 1 | 3 | 9 | 14 |
| 110 | < 1 | < 1 | 4 | 9 | 14 |
| 120 | < 1 | < 1 | 4 | 9 | 14 |
| 130 | < 1 | < 1 | 5 | 9 | 14 |
| 140 | < 1 | < 1 | 5 | 9 | 14 |
| 150 | < 1 | < 1 | 5 | 9 | 14 |
| 160 | < 1 | < 1 | 5 | 9 | 14 |
| 170 | < 1 | < 1 | 5 | 9 | 13 |
| 180 | < 1 | < 1 | 5 | 9 | 13 |
| 190 | < 1 | < 1 | 5 | 9 | 12 |
| 200 | < 1 | < 1 | 5 | 8 | 12 |
| 210 | < 1 | < 1 | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| 220 | < 1 | < 1 | 4 | 8 | 11 |
| 230 | < 1 | < 1 | 4 | 8 | 11 |
| 240 | < 1 | < 1 | 4 | 7 | 10 |
| 250 | < 1 | < 1 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| 260 | < 1 | < 1 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
How Does Age Affect Muscle Ups Strength?
How Muscle Ups standards change across different age groups. Values represent a 1RM in lbs.
| Age | Beginner | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | < 1 | < 1 | 2 | 8 | 15 |
| 20 | < 1 | < 1 | 6 | 13 | 21 |
| 25 | < 1 | < 1 | 7 | 14 | 22 |
| 30 | < 1 | < 1 | 7 | 14 | 22 |
| 35 | < 1 | < 1 | 7 | 14 | 22 |
| 40 | < 1 | < 1 | 7 | 14 | 22 |
| 45 | < 1 | < 1 | 5 | 12 | 20 |
| 50 | < 1 | < 1 | 3 | 10 | 17 |
| 55 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | 7 | 13 |
| 60 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | 4 | 10 |
| 65 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | 1 | 7 |
| 70 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | 3 |
| 75 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 |
| 80 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 |
| 85 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 |
| 90 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 |
| 15 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | 6 | 12 |
| 20 | < 1 | < 1 | 4 | 10 | 18 |
| 25 | < 1 | < 1 | 5 | 11 | 19 |
| 30 | < 1 | < 1 | 5 | 11 | 19 |
| 35 | < 1 | < 1 | 5 | 11 | 19 |
| 40 | < 1 | < 1 | 5 | 11 | 19 |
| 45 | < 1 | < 1 | 3 | 9 | 17 |
| 50 | < 1 | < 1 | 1 | 8 | 14 |
| 55 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | 5 | 11 |
| 60 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | 2 | 8 |
| 65 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | 5 |
| 70 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | 1 |
| 75 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 |
| 80 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 |
| 85 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 |
| 90 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 |
What Do Muscle Ups Strength Standards Mean?
Stronger than 5% of lifters. You are learning the movement on the Muscle Ups, building the shoulder stability and pressing coordination needed to handle heavier loads safely.
Stronger than 20% of lifters. You can press with a consistent path and controlled tempo on the Muscle Ups. You are progressing linearly and building the chest, shoulder, and tricep base needed for intermediate strength.
Stronger than 50% of lifters. Your Muscle Ups technique is efficient under heavy loads. You use programmed variations, understand how to manage pressing fatigue, and can grind through the mid-range sticking point.
Stronger than 80% of lifters. You have optimized your Muscle Ups setup for maximal force production - arch, leg drive, and grip width are dialed in. You train with periodized intensity blocks and accessory work targeting weak points.
Stronger than 95% of lifters. Your Muscle Ups is at a competitive standard. You have refined every aspect of the lift through years of structured peaking and can produce maximal force with technical precision.
How to Progress Your Muscle Ups
Tier-specific training recommendations to move your Muscle Ups to the next level.
- Train the Muscle Ups 2-3x per week to build pressing strength and shoulder stability.
- Use linear progression: add 2.5-5 lbs per session.
- Practice controlled eccentrics (3-second lowering) to build tendon strength.
- Keep working sets at RPE 6-7 to accumulate quality volume.
- Add a pressing variation (close-grip, incline, or paused) for weak-point development.
- Increase frequency to 2-3 sessions per week with varied rep ranges.
- Program most sets at RPE 7-8 with one heavy session including RPE 9 work.
- Build tricep and shoulder accessory volume to support the Muscle Ups.
- Run 4-6 week blocks with planned volume and intensity progression.
- Use RPE 8-9 for competition-style sets, RPE 7 for volume backoffs.
- Target your sticking point with specific accessory work (board press, pin press, bands).
- Manage total weekly pressing volume (12-20 sets) across all push movements.
- Peak with structured 8-12 week cycles targeting a competition or max attempt.
- Refine your setup: arch, leg drive, grip width, and bar path for maximal efficiency.
- Use the RPE chart for precise percentage work during peaking phases.
- Test your Muscle Ups under competition-style commands and judging.
How to Perform Muscle Ups
- Start by hanging from a pull-up bar with a shoulder-width grip, palms facing away.
- Engage your core and pull your chest towards the bar explosively.
- As your chest reaches the bar, transition by pushing your elbows over the bar, using a quick, smooth motion.
- Push down on the bar to extend your arms fully, bringing your torso above the bar.
- Slowly lower yourself back to the starting hanging position to complete one rep.
- Maintain a controlled, steady pace throughout the movement and avoid swinging your legs.
Tips for Muscle Ups
- Ensure your grip is secure before starting.
- Engage your core to maintain body control.
- Use a kip (swinging motion) if you're a beginner to help with the transition.
- Avoid excessive swinging or jerking to prevent injury.
- Focus on a smooth transition from the pull-up to the dip phase.
Where Do These Muscle Ups Standards Come From?
These Muscle Ups 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 Muscle Ups Good for Your Weight?
Strength standards help you objectively measure your Muscle Ups 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 Muscle Ups 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.