1. What is the Wilks Score?

The Wilks Score (also called Wilks Coefficient or Wilks Formula) is a coefficient used to compare the strength of powerlifters while accounting for differences in body weight and gender. It allows for fair comparison between lifters of different sizes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Wilks formula:

Where:

• \( total \) — Total weight lifted in kg (sum of squat, bench press, and deadlift)
• \( coeff \) — Wilks coefficient based on body weight and gender

Explanation: The coefficient adjusts the raw total to what it would be for a lifter of "average" size, allowing comparison across weight classes.

3. Importance of Wilks Score

Details: The Wilks Score is crucial in powerlifting competitions to determine the best overall lifter across different weight classes. It helps identify the most relatively strong athletes regardless of their size.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your total competition lift (sum of your best squat, bench press, and deadlift) in kg, select your gender, and enter your body weight in kg. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Wilks instead of raw totals?
A: Wilks allows fair comparison between lifters of different body weights by accounting for the fact that smaller lifters typically lift less absolute weight.

Q2: What is 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 "New Wilks"). This calculator uses the original formula.

Q4: Does Wilks work for all sports?
A: No, it's specifically designed for powerlifting. Other sports use different formulas (e.g., Sinclair for weightlifting).

Q5: How accurate is the Wilks formula?
A: It's reasonably accurate for most adult lifters but may be less accurate for very light or very heavy athletes.