Average Deadlift by Bodyweight

The five classification levels — Untrained, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Elite — each represent a distinct population range, not an arbitrary label. ExRx.net derives these thresholds from aggregate data across thousands of lifters in each weight class, which is why the ratios differ between men and women rather than using a single universal multiplier. A woman pulling 1.0× bodyweight sits at the Intermediate boundary — the same relative achievement for her population as a man pulling 1.75× bodyweight for his.

The most common mistake is entering a weight that was not a true one-rep maximum. If you did 275 lbs for 3 reps last week and still had another rep in reserve, your actual 1RM is probably 10–15 lbs higher. For the most accurate result, either test a genuine 1RM under controlled conditions or use a 1RM calculator to estimate your max from a recent heavy set. Entering a sub-maximal load will underclassify you.

These standards are also sport-agnostic. A competitive powerlifter uses a competition-legal hip-hinge deadlift; someone training for general fitness might pull with a trap bar or semi-sumo stance. ExRx.net standards are calibrated to conventional deadlift data, so there will be slight discrepancies if you primarily pull sumo (typically 3–8% more favorable due to reduced bar path) or trap bar (typically 10–15% more favorable due to load placement). Use the numbers as a directional benchmark, not a competition ranking.

Finally, do not read the Novice-to-Intermediate transition as a wall. Research on progressive overload consistently shows that intermediate lifters add strength more slowly than beginners — the 1.5× to 1.75× bodyweight range for men typically takes 12–24 months of focused deadlift training depending on genetics, program quality, and consistency. What matters is that you have a concrete target rather than training without a reference point.