Chin Ups Strength Standards
For men · by bodyweight · in kg
Chin-ups use a supinated (underhand) grip, which increases biceps involvement compared to pull-ups. Most people can do slightly more reps with a chin-up grip. Like pull-ups, standards are expressed in reps and lighter bodyweight is an advantage. Chin-ups are an excellent complementary movement to pressing exercises.
Find Your Level
Enter your stats and we'll highlight your row and level in the table below.
Don't know your 1RM? Calculate it →| Bodyweight (kg) | Beginner Top 80% | Novice Top 60% | Intermediate Top 40% | Advanced Top 20% | Elite Top 5% | ÷ BW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 17 kg | 28 kg | 40 kg | 54 kg | 69 kg | 0.80× |
| 55 | 17 kg | 28 kg | 40 kg | 54 kg | 69 kg | 0.73× |
| 60 | 17 kg | 28 kg | 40 kg | 54 kg | 69 kg | 0.67× |
| 65 | 19 kg | 31 kg | 45 kg | 61 kg | 77 kg | 0.69× |
| 70 | 19 kg | 31 kg | 45 kg | 61 kg | 77 kg | 0.64× |
| 75 | 22 kg | 36 kg | 50 kg | 64 kg | 81 kg | 0.67× |
| 80 | 22 kg | 36 kg | 50 kg | 64 kg | 81 kg | 0.63× |
| 85 | 24 kg | 40 kg | 55 kg | 72 kg | 89 kg | 0.65× |
| 90 | 24 kg | 40 kg | 55 kg | 72 kg | 89 kg | 0.61× |
| 95 | 26 kg | 42 kg | 59 kg | 77 kg | 96 kg | 0.62× |
| 100 | 26 kg | 42 kg | 59 kg | 77 kg | 96 kg | 0.59× |
| 110 | 28 kg | 45 kg | 63 kg | 83 kg | 103 kg | 0.57× |
| 120 | 28 kg | 45 kg | 63 kg | 83 kg | 103 kg | 0.53× |
| 140 | 28 kg | 45 kg | 63 kg | 83 kg | 103 kg | 0.45× |
Chin Ups Strength Standards for Men
These chin ups strength standards cover male lifters across a range of bodyweights in KG. Each row shows five thresholds - Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Elite - representing roughly the top 80%, 60%, 40%, 20%, and 5% of the lifting population at that bodyweight. Use the "Find My Level" tool above to enter your one rep max and see exactly where you stand.
Standards are based on aggregated data from large populations of raw, natural lifters. An intermediate chin ups is a realistic long-term goal for most people who train consistently - it typically requires 2–4 years of progressive training with structured programming. Advanced and Elite levels represent competitive performance and require deliberate, periodised training over many years.
Strength levels are always relative to bodyweight. A chin ups that is elite at 60 kg bodyweight is only intermediate at 100 kg - the absolute numbers scale with size. This is why every row in the table shows different thresholds rather than a single cutoff. If you are between bodyweight brackets, the standard for the nearest bracket is a reasonable guide.
Chin Ups Technique Cues
- - Supinated grip (palms toward you), hands shoulder-width or slightly narrower
- - Full hang at the bottom with arms fully extended
- - Engage lats before pulling
- - Pull elbows toward hips while keeping chest up
- - Chin clears the bar at the top
- - Feel the biceps and lats working together throughout
- - Lower slowly with control
- - Swinging or kipping for momentum
- - Neglecting the negative (lowering phase) - this builds most strength
- - Not achieving full range of motion at top or bottom
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should a men chin ups?
For an average men weighing around 80 kg, an intermediate chin ups is approximately 50 kg. Standards vary significantly by bodyweight - use the "Find My Level" tool above with your own bodyweight to get a personalised figure.
What is a good Chin Ups for a beginner?
A beginner standard represents a lift achievable after a few months of consistent training - roughly the top 80% of the lifting population. For most exercises, this is around 50–60% of bodyweight for upper body movements and 75–100% for lower body lifts. Check the Beginner column in the table above for the specific number at your bodyweight.
How are Chin Ups strength standards calculated?
Standards are derived from aggregated training and competition data across large populations. Each bodyweight bracket has five thresholds - Beginner (top 80%), Novice (top 60%), Intermediate (top 40%), Advanced (top 20%), and Elite (top 5%) - representing where a lifter falls relative to the broader lifting community.
How do I increase my Chin Ups?
Progressive overload is the core principle: consistently add small amounts of weight or reps over time. For strength, focus on sets of 3–6 at 80–90% of your 1RM. For hypertrophy, work in the 6–12 rep range. Ensure adequate sleep (7–9 hours), sufficient protein intake (1.6–2.2 g/kg bodyweight), and allow at least 48 hours between sessions targeting the same muscle group.
What is the difference between each strength level?
Beginner: just started training and making rapid linear progress. Novice: 1–2 years of consistent training. Intermediate: several years with structured periodisation. Advanced: competitive or near-competitive level requiring specialised programming. Elite: top-end competitive performance representing the top 5% of the lifting population.