Why strength is measured relative to bodyweight
Absolute lifting numbers are a poor basis for comparison across different body sizes. A 120 kg powerlifter squatting 180 kg is lifting 1.5× bodyweight; a 70 kg recreational lifter squatting 100 kg is lifting 1.43× bodyweight — comparable strength levels despite very different absolute numbers. Using the lift-to-bodyweight ratio (also called relative strength) creates a fair, size-adjusted classification that works across a wide range of athletic populations.
Sex differences in relative strength standards reflect well-documented physiological differences in upper- and lower-body muscle mass distribution. Women carry a similar proportion of lower-body muscle to men but less upper-body muscle, so squat standards are closer between sexes than bench press standards. Elite female powerlifters can squat 1.2× bodyweight; elite male powerlifters at the same level can squat 1.75× — a 46% gap that reflects genuine physiological differences rather than training capacity.