Deadlift standards
A good deadlift starts around 2x bodyweight for many lifters.
Deadlift standards are easy to inflate because the lift rewards leverages, grip, and bodyweight. The ratio keeps the conversation grounded.
A 2x bodyweight deadlift is a serious target for many recreational lifters, but it is not the ceiling.
Check your ratio
Reference table
| Level | Ratio | 120 lb | 140 lb | 160 lb | 180 lb | 200 lb | 220 lb | 250 lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 1x BW | 120 lb | 140 lb | 160 lb | 180 lb | 200 lb | 220 lb | 250 lb |
| Novice | 1.5x BW | 180 lb | 210 lb | 240 lb | 270 lb | 300 lb | 330 lb | 375 lb |
| Intermediate | 2x BW | 240 lb | 280 lb | 320 lb | 360 lb | 400 lb | 440 lb | 500 lb |
| Advanced | 2.5x BW | 300 lb | 350 lb | 400 lb | 450 lb | 500 lb | 550 lb | 625 lb |
| Elite | 3x BW | 360 lb | 420 lb | 480 lb | 540 lb | 600 lb | 660 lb | 750 lb |
What to do next
Beginner
Build repeatable technique and add reps before chasing milestone plates.
Novice
Use a stable rep range and small jumps; most progress still comes from consistency.
Intermediate
Start treating weak points and fatigue as separate problems.
Advanced
Use smaller cycles, more deliberate variation, and fewer random max attempts.
Read next
Keep the milestone connected to training.
Sources
Milestone, ratio, and standards context.
IPF Technical Rules Book 2026
Used to separate gym milestones from competition lift standards and bodyweight classes.
ACSM progression models for resistance training
Used for progression framing by training status.
Reddit bodyweight bench standard discussion
Used as forum evidence for bodyweight-standard anxiety.
Reddit strength-standard debate
Used as forum evidence that lifters ask for context by age, bodyweight, and gym reality.
FAQ
Fast answers
Is a 2x bodyweight deadlift good?
Yes. A strict 2x bodyweight deadlift is a strong intermediate milestone for many lifters.
Why is my deadlift higher than my squat?
That is common. Deadlift often benefits from leverages and has no eccentric loading before the first rep.
Should I deadlift heavy every week?
Not always. Deadlift is fatigue-sensitive, so many lifters use one heavy exposure plus lighter hinge work.
RepStack for iPhone
Use the milestone to train better
RepStack turns your logged sets into ratios, PRs, and next-session targets.