1. What is the Wilks Score?

The Wilks Score (or Wilks Coefficient) is a measure of strength relative to body weight, used to compare lifters of different body weights in powerlifting competitions. It provides a way to compare performances across weight classes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Wilks formula:

Where:

• \( total \) — Total weight lifted (sum of squat, bench press and deadlift) in kg
• \( BW \) — Body weight in kg
• \( a-e \) — Gender-specific coefficients

Explanation: The equation accounts for the non-linear relationship between body weight and strength potential, with different coefficients for men and women.

3. Importance of Wilks Score

Details: The Wilks Score is crucial for comparing strength across different weight classes in powerlifting. It's the standard coefficient used in most powerlifting federations to determine the "best lifter" award.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your total competition lift in kg, your body weight in kg, and select your gender. All values must be valid (total > 0, body weight > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Wilks instead of just comparing totals?
A: Wilks accounts for the fact that strength doesn't scale linearly with body weight, allowing fair comparison between lifters of different sizes.

Q2: What's a good Wilks score?
A: A score of 300+ is considered good, 400+ is excellent, and 500+ is world-class for drug-tested lifters.

Q3: Are there different versions of Wilks?
A: Yes, the formula was updated in 2020 (sometimes called "Wilks2.0"). This calculator uses the original formula which is still widely used.

Q4: Does Wilks work for extreme body weights?
A: The formula works best for typical adult body weights. Accuracy may decrease for very light or very heavy lifters.

Q5: Can I use Wilks for other sports?
A: Wilks is specifically designed for powerlifting. Other sports use different formulas (e.g., Sinclair for weightlifting).