Powerlifting Records An archive of strength

All-time · across all federations

All-Time Bench Records

Maximum weight pressed off the chest in a sanctioned meet.

3,403,981 sanctioned bench presses from 913,696 lifters across 26 parent federations are on file. The 25 heaviest by sex sit below, with each lifter appearing once on their heaviest qualifying attempt. Use the filter to narrow by class, age, equipment, or tested status.

Pick any filter above to see matching records. Otherwise, scroll down for the default top records by lift.

Top 25 Men's Bench Presses

The 25 heaviest men's bench presses on file span 2008 to 2026, drawn from 12 federations and 4 weight classes. Jimmy Kolb leads at 659.0 kg1453 lb, set at Sonny Comly 3rd Annual Memorial Meet in 2025. All 25 were lifted in a single-ply, multi-ply, or unlimited suit.

Men's bench presses record progression from 1964 to 2025. 28 progression points, rising from 213 kg (Terence Todd) to 659 kg (Jimmy Kolb).2004413006624008825001,1036001,3237001,543kglb197419841994200420142026213 kg · 1964 · Terence Todd · The Powerlifting Tournament Of America219 kg · 1965 · James Robertson · Senior Nationals228 kg · 1966 · Terry Perdue · British Men's Powerlifting Championships238 kg · 1967 · Mel Hennessy · Senior Nationals273 kg · 1969 · Jim Williams · Senior Nationals299 kg · 1971 · Jim Williams · Men's World Powerlifting Championships306 kg · 1972 · Jim Williams · Men's World Powerlifting Championships308 kg · 1985 · Ted Arcidi · Hawaii Invitational380 kg · 1985 · Bill Caton · MCI Bench Press408 kg · 2003 · Gene Rychlak · Senior Nationals438 kg · 2004 · Gene Rychlak · World Championships456 kg · 2004 · Gene Rychlak · Senior Nationals458 kg · 2006 · Gene Rychlak · Metal Militia Memorial460 kg · 2007 · Ryan Kennelly · Power Stars Tournament476 kg · 2007 · Ryan Kennelly · Northwest Open485 kg · 2008 · Ryan Kennelly · Northwest Open Iron War488 kg · 2008 · Ryan Kennelly · Bench Bash for Cash489 kg · 2013 · Tiny Meeker · Texas State Powerlifting Championship500 kg · 2013 · Tiny Meeker · Lady Cougar Fundraiser Meet501 kg · 2020 · Will Barotti · Power Wars503 kg · 2020 · Will Barotti · World Championships508 kg · 2021 · Jimmy Kolb · Strength Spectacular510 kg · 2021 · Tiny Meeker · Nationals513 kg · 2022 · Bill Gillespie · New Year Power Bash599 kg · 2022 · Jimmy Kolb · State Championships613 kg · 2023 · Jimmy Kolb · Hillbilly Havoc636 kg · 2023 · Jimmy Kolb · Tri Star Bash659 kg · 2025 · Jimmy Kolb · Sonny Comly 3rd Annual Memorial Meet (current record)

Click any marker to see who set that record.

Each step is a new all-time men's bench record, across all weight classes and equipment. 28 record-setting lifts since 1964; current holder Jimmy Kolb at 659.0 kg1453 lb, set in 2025.

RankLifterClassSexEquipTestedLoadMeetDate
01Jimmy Kolb140+ kg309+ lbMUnlimitedYes659.0 kg1453 lbUSPC · Sonny Comly 3rd Annual Memorial Meet2025-06-07 · 11 mo
02Nikita Starostin125 kg276 lbMUnlimited560.0 kg1235 lbNAP · The Eurasian Championship Final - Russian Empire Cup - IV - pre-Elite2024-11-16 · 1 yr
03Christopher Sutton140+ kg309+ lbMUnlimited551.6 kg1216 lbAPA · Lift For Gifts2024-12-07 · 1 yr
04Aleksandr Kostyanov100 kg220 lbMUnlimited530.0 kg1169 lbNAP · Open Masters Tournament of Kurgan and Kurgan Oblast Power of the Trans-Urals VI2026-04-12 · 1 mo
05Will Barotti140+ kg309+ lbMUnlimited521.6 kg1150 lbMM · Worlds2022-12-10 · 3 yr
06Greg Powell125 kg276 lbMUnlimited517.5 kg1141 lbIPA · Bench Only at The JOJ Classic2023-08-26 · 2 yr
07Rich Putnam140 kg309 lbMUnlimited514.8 kg1135 lbIPA · Strength of Heroes2022-09-10 · 3 yr
08Mike Womack140+ kg309+ lbMUnlimited513.5 kg1132 lbAPA · Merica Bench Press2022-07-02 · 3 yr
09Bill Gillespie140+ kg309+ lbMUnlimitedYes512.5 kg1130 lb365Strong · New Year Power Bash2022-01-22 · 4 yr
10Tiny Meeker140+ kg309+ lbMUnlimited510.3 kg1125 lbIPA · Nationals2021-11-20 · 4 yr
11Kalle Ylitalo-James140 kg309 lbMUnlimited505.0 kg1114 lbBPU · Salisbury Qualifier2023-12-09 · 2 yr
12Nick Myatt140 kg309 lbMUnlimited505.0 kg1114 lbIPA · Worlds2023-09-30 · 2 yr
13Tony Carlino140 kg309 lbMUnlimited505.0 kg1114 lbIPA · Summer Siege V2025-06-21 · 11 mo
14Bob Merkh140 kg309 lbMUnlimited501.2 kg1105 lbIPA · Strength of Heroes-Pro2025-09-06 · 8 mo
15Doug Smithey125 kg276 lbMUnlimited499.0 kg1100 lb365Strong · USA Nationals2022-04-23 · 4 yr
16Pavel Shipulov100 kg220 lbMUnlimited490.0 kg1081 lbNAP · Annual Masters Tournament Championship of Western Siberia Siberian Lynx 22026-04-18 · 1 mo
17Ryan Kennelly140+ kg309+ lbMMulti-ply487.5 kg1075 lbUPA · Power Weekend2008-07-13 · 17 yr
18Richárd Buda140 kg309 lbMUnlimited482.5 kg1064 lbGPC · World Championships2023-10-09 · 2 yr
19Adam Hawkins140+ kg309+ lbMUnlimited480.0 kg1058 lbIrishPO · Irish Pro Invitational XIV2025-05-10 · 1 yr
20Matthew Hodge140+ kg309+ lbMUnlimited478.5 kg1055 lbMM · World Championships2024-08-17 · 1 yr
21Dave Hoff140 kg309 lbMMulti-ply475.0 kg1047 lbWPC · WPO Super Finals2021-08-21 · 4 yr
22Derrick Bender125 kg276 lbMUnlimited474.0 kg1045 lbMM · BEAST OF THE EAST2026-04-04 · 1 mo
23Eric Affolter140 kg309 lbMUnlimited469.5 kg1035 lbAPF · Ohio Cup2026-02-07 · 3 mo
24Joseph Rybaruk Jr140 kg309 lbMUnlimited469.5 kg1035 lbIPA · Strength of Heroes2023-09-09 · 2 yr
25Scot Mendelson125 kg276 lbMMulti-ply467.5 kg1031 lbAPF · Holiday Festival of Strength2009-12-12 · 16 yr

Top 25 Women's Bench Presses

The 25 heaviest women's bench presses on file span 2006 to 2025, drawn from 16 federations and 9 weight classes. Ashleigh Hoeta leads at 317.5 kg700 lb, set at Tombstone in 2023. All 25 were lifted in a single-ply, multi-ply, or unlimited suit.

Women's bench presses record progression from 1975 to 2023. 31 progression points, rising from 50 kg (Shirley Patterson) to 318 kg (Ashleigh Hoeta).0050110100221150331200441250551300662350772kglb1985199520052015202650 kg · 1975 · Shirley Patterson · First All Women's Powerlifting Contest53 kg · 1977 · Harald Sandbakken · NM ungdom - junior herrer95 kg · 1977 · Cindy Reinhoudt · First All American Women's Power Meet103 kg · 1977 · Bev Francis · Victorian Women's State Championships115 kg · 1978 · Frank Solberg · NM ungdom og junior herrer118 kg · 1980 · Ann Turbyne · Women's Nationals120 kg · 1980 · Ann Turbyne · Women's World Powerlifting Championships138 kg · 1980 · Bev Francis · Australian Nationals150 kg · 1981 · Bev Francis · Women's World Powerlifting Championship159 kg · 1984 · Wendy Ott · Cortez Classic Class II & Below185 kg · 1986 · Danette Hartmann · Masters Nationals204 kg · 2002 · Karen Sizemore · Mountaineer Championships210 kg · 2002 · Andrea Sortwell · State Championships220 kg · 2004 · Becca Swanson · WPO Super Open Championships230 kg · 2005 · Becca Swanson · Chicago Summer Bash238 kg · 2005 · Becca Swanson · WPO Semifinals241 kg · 2006 · Shannon Pole-Summers · Southeast Regionals248 kg · 2006 · Becca Swanson · Police/Fire BP Exhibition251 kg · 2007 · Becca Swanson · Rick Hussey Benefit Meet273 kg · 2008 · Becca Swanson · Big Iron In-House Open274 kg · 2021 · Rae-Ann Miller · 814 Summer Smackdown Invitational276 kg · 2021 · Katrina Bielomyza · Maine State Powerlifting Championship278 kg · 2021 · Katrina Bielomyza · Central Florida PHG Throwdown III279 kg · 2021 · Amber Hansen · Nationals281 kg · 2022 · Rae-Ann Miller · Nationals284 kg · 2022 · Rae-Ann Miller · Battle for Supremacy286 kg · 2022 · Rae-Ann Miller · F8 NorthEast Bench Invitational295 kg · 2023 · Rae-Ann Miller · Bench for Wolfe II295 kg · 2023 · Ekaterina Zaytseva · Golden Tiger XVII'299 kg · 2023 · Rae-Ann Miller · War for the Sword318 kg · 2023 · Ashleigh Hoeta · Tombstone (current record)

Click any marker to see who set that record.

Each step is a new all-time women's bench record, across all weight classes and equipment. 31 record-setting lifts since 1975; current holder Ashleigh Hoeta at 317.5 kg700 lb, set in 2023.

RankLifterClassSexEquipTestedLoadMeetDate
01Ashleigh Hoeta110 kg243 lbFUnlimited317.5 kg700 lbIPL-NZ · Tombstone2023-11-25 · 2 yr
02Rae-Ann Miller110 kg243 lbFUnlimited299.4 kg660 lbXPS · War for the Sword2023-11-04 · 2 yr
03Ekaterina Zaytseva82.5 kg182 lbFUnlimited295.0 kg651 lbNAP · Golden Tiger XVII'2023-09-23 · 2 yr
04Katrina Bielomyza100 kg220 lbFUnlimited294.8 kg650 lbIPA · Hellbent Barbell Meet2023-05-20 · 3 yr
05Rochelle Dubbs125 kg276 lbFUnlimited292.6 kg645 lbMM · First Annual Powerlifting Competition2025-03-15 · 1 yr
06Amber Hansen90+ kg198+ lbFUnlimited279.0 kg615 lbIPA · Nationals2021-11-20 · 4 yr
07Emma Ylitalo-James90 kg198 lbFUnlimited275.0 kg607 lbWPC-Finland · Voimanoston SM2023-04-22 · 3 yr
08Kelly Womack82.5 kg182 lbFUnlimited272.5 kg601 lbAPA · Mike Womack Benchpress Nationals2025-08-30 · 8 mo
09Becca Swanson90+ kg198+ lbFMulti-ply272.5 kg601 lbAPF · Big Iron In-House Open2008-03-08 · 18 yr
10Shawna Mendelson82.5 kg182 lbFUnlimited256.3 kg565 lbIPA · Titans for Tots2022-12-10 · 3 yr
11Małgorzata Kopiec90 kg198 lbFSingle-ply255.0 kg562 lbWPA · Mistrzostwa Polski2025-04-26 · 1 yr
12Yuliya Medvedeva90 kg198 lbFUnlimited252.5 kg557 lbNAP · Tavriki Cup2019-06-23 · 6 yr
13Allison Hind82.5 kg182 lbFUnlimited251.7 kg555 lbXPS · F8 NorthEast Bench Invitational2022-09-24 · 3 yr
14Kelly Duffy90+ kg198+ lbFUnlimited249.5 kg550 lbXPC · Monster Bench2022-04-30 · 4 yr
15April Mathis90+ kg198+ lbFUnlimited249.5 kg550 lbMM · 814 Summer Smackdown Invitational2021-07-17 · 4 yr
16Jordan Buchla100 kg220 lbFMulti-ply247.2 kg545 lbRPS · North American and New Jersey Championship2024-01-27 · 2 yr
17Laura Phelps-Stackhouse82.5 kg182 lbFMulti-ply244.9 kg540 lbSPF · Bench Press Nationals2012-02-04 · 14 yr
18Shannon Pole-Summers90+ kg198+ lbFMulti-ply240.9 kg531 lbAPA · Southeast Regionals2006-03-18 · 20 yr
19Kate Sweatman84+ kg185+ lbFSingle-plyYes240.5 kg530 lbIPF · World Classic & Equipped Bench Press Championships2025-05-18 · 1 yr
20Kolbi Smith110+ kg243+ lbFUnlimited240.0 kg529 lbXPC · Gorilla Warfare2023-06-03 · 2 yr
21Hildeborg Juvet Hugdal84+ kg185+ lbFSingle-plyYes237.5 kg524 lbIPF · World Bench Press Championships2024-05-22 · 2 yr
22Sabine Allner82.5+ kg182+ lbFMulti-ply235.0 kg518 lbWUAP-AUT · Austrian Nationals and International Cup2025-04-19 · 1 yr
23Sandra Lönn84+ kg185+ lbFSingle-plyYes235.0 kg518 lbIPF · World Bench Press Championships2015-05-20 · 11 yr
24Daria Efimtseva84+ kg185+ lbFSingle-plyYes232.5 kg513 lbAsianPF · Asian Masters & Open Powerlifting Championships2025-12-02 · 5 mo
25Karen Campbell90 kg198 lbFSingle-plyYes232.5 kg513 lbWABDL · Great Lakes Regional2015-07-11 · 10 yr

Records are computed from the OpenPowerlifting public-domain dataset and represent the highest qualifying lift on file for each (federation, sex, equipment, weight class, age class, tested) combination. State records are scoped by the lifter's registered state of residence (matching USAPL/PA/USPA rules), not by meet location; coverage depends on the federation — USAPL and USPA report lifter state for 87–97% of entries, while some smaller feds report it rarely. Records may differ from a federation's official record book. Read more about how these records are computed.