Wilks Score Calculator In Kg And Lbs | Calculate Strength
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The Wilks Calculator is used to calculate your Wilks score, which is a measure of the strength of a powerlifter. Wilks score is calculated using the total weight lifted, body weight, and gender of the powerlifter. It can be used to compare the strength of powerlifters, irrespective of gender and body weight. The higher the Wilks score, the better the powerlifter. The Wilks Calculator is highly regarded in the weightlifting world and is used by the International Powerlifting Federation to evaluate lifting performances across weight classes (1), (2), (3).
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Wilks coeff. :
What Does Wilks Mean?
The Wilks score was developed by Robert Wilks, which estimates your weightlifting abilities and allows you to compare it with that of others (1).
How Do You Calculate Wilks?
Different formulae are used to calculate the Wilks score for men and women, as men are statistically stronger than women (4). Therefore, if a man and woman of the same body weight lift equal weights, the Wilks score of the woman would be higher than that of the man.
The Wilks calculator helps us estimate and compare our weightlifting abilities with other lifters, irrespective of body weight and gender. Unlike the bench press calculator, this calculator is not generally used to track one’s progress but to decide who is the superior weightlifter (1).
The three variables used in the Wilks score calculator are as follows (1):
- Body weight (in kilograms or pounds)
- Gender (There are different variables used to calculate the Wilks coefficient according to gender, as mentioned in the table below.)
- Weight lifted (in kilograms or pounds)
Wilks calculator KG
The formula used to calculate the Wilks coefficient is (1):
Wilks coefficient = 500 / (a + bx² + cx³ + dx⁴ + ex⁵ + fx⁶)
where
x = Body weight of the lifter measured in kilograms.
The following table introduces the a to f values for the male and female gender (1):
| Values | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| a | -216.0475144 | 594.31747775582 |
| b | 16.2606339 | -27.23842536447 |
| C | -0.002388645 | 0.82112226871 |
| d | -0.00113732 | -0.00930733913 |
| e | 7.01863E-06 | 4.731582E-05 |
| f | -1.291E-08 | -9.054E-08 |
After the Wilks coefficient is calculated, the Wilks score is obtained by multiplying the Wilks coefficient with the weight lifted (in kilograms).
Wilks Score (points) = Wilks coefficient * Weight lifted in kilograms
Example:
If a male weightlifter with a body weight of 90 kg lifts a weight of 250 kg, the Wilks score would be 159.60.
Wilks Calculator Age
The Wilks calculator does not take age into consideration.
What Is A Good Wilks Score?
Generally, lifters with a Wilks score exceeding 410 are categorized as the stronger group, while those in the less strong category have a Wilks score below 370 (3). A Wilks score RAW of 250 is considered good for a beginner powerlifting professional.
What Is A Good Wilks Score For Males?
As mentioned above, a Wilks score RAW of 250 is considered good for a beginner powerlifting professional, irrespective of whether the professional is male or female.
Highest Wilks Score
The highest Wilks score of 664.95 was set by Chakera Holcomb at the Kern US Open in 2018. She broke the record Wilks score of 638 set earlier by Eva Dunbar.
Chakera’s record-breaking achievement consisted of three huge lifts, which were a 284 kg squat, a 165 kg bench press, and 274 kg deadlift in the women’s 82 kg weight class.
IPF Points Calculator
The International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) has decided to use a new IPF formula to calculate the IPF Relative Points in place of Wilks score, which was developed more than 25 years ago with data gathered between 1988 and 1994 that was not very extensive (1).
While the new formula is more complex, it still uses the lifter’s body weight and their Powerlifting Total or Bench Press Total to compute points (1).
However, the reason the Wilks calculator is still widely mentioned and used is that it has a long history of being a popular and accepted method for comparing lifters across various powerlifting organizations. The Wilks calculator is not necessarily outdated, but it is an older formula that predates the IPF points system (1).
The choice between using the Wilks calculator or the IPF points calculator often depends on the specific powerlifting federation or organization hosting the competition. Different organizations may have their preferences for which scoring system to use. Additionally, some lifters and fans of the sport may have grown accustomed to the Wilks system and continue to use it for reference.
It is worth noting that both calculators aim to achieve similar goals: to provide a standardized way to compare lifters’ performances across different weight classes. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to the preference of the organizing body and the lifters themselves. Each system has its merits, and neither is inherently superior; they simply serve as tools for assessing performance in the context of specific powerlifting events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Wilks calculator for other types of strength sports?
Powerlifting and other strength-based sports, such as weightlifting, and bodybuilding, are the main uses of the Wilks calculator. Other strength sports apply a different approach to scoring systems or rules of competition; hence, the tool might not have any applications there.
Is the Wilks calculator available online?
Yes, you can access the Wilks calculator online. Weightlifters and strength athletes can use this tool to determine their Wilks score and see how it stacks up against others in their weight class.
Are there any limitations to the Wilks calculator?
The Wilks calculator’s utility may differ for various strength sports. In conclusion, it is a helpful tool, but it also has some restrictions and considers only one aspect when assessing a person’s strength.
How often should I use the Wilks calculator?
Your objectives and requirements will determine how frequently you should use a Wilks calculator. You can use it to keep track of your preparation for an upcoming powerlifting competition. On the other hand, you will rarely need the Wilks calculator for general fitness purposes to assess your overall strength.
References
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
- Efficiency of the Wilks and IPF Formulas at Comparing Maximal Strength Regardless of Bodyweight through Analysis of the Open Powerlifting Database
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7523908/ - Validation of the Wilks powerlifting formula
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10613442/ - Can absolute and proportional anthropometric characteristics distinguish stronger and weaker powerlifters?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19826300/ - WILKS FORMULA for MEN and WOMEN
https://www.europowerlifting.org/fileadmin/data/wilks_formula/Wilksformula_01.pdf
