Wilks coefficient
Measurement system of the relative strength of powerlifters
The Wilks coefficient, or Wilks formula, is a scoring system used to compare the strength of powerlifters of different body weights. A lifter's total is multiplied by a coefficient determined by body weight and sex to produce a Wilks score. Robert Wilks, CEO of Powerlifting Australia, is the author of the formula.
Equation
Original version
The following equation is used to calculate the Wilks coefficient:
Coeff
=
500
a
+
b
x
+
c
x
2
+
d
x
3
+
e
x
4
+
f
x
5
{\displaystyle {\text{Coeff}}={\frac {500}{a+bx+cx^{2}+dx^{3}+ex^{4}+fx^{5}}}}
where x is the body weight of the lifter in kilograms.
The total weight lifted (in kg) is multiplied by the coefficient to find the standard amount lifted, normalised across all body weights.
2020 version
The formula was updated in March 2020 to allow for a rebalancing of coefficients, with men and women's performances better aligned and the extreme bodyweight classes brought into better balance with the middle bodyweight classes.
Coeff
=
600
a
+
b
x
+
c
x
2
+
d
x
3
+
e
x
4
+
f
x
5
{\displaystyle {\text{Coeff}}={\frac {600}{a+bx+cx^{2}+dx^{3}+ex^{4}+fx^{5}}}}
where x is the body weight of the lifter in kilograms.
The total weight lifted (in kg) is multiplied by the coefficient to find the standard amount lifted, normalised across all body weights.
Validity
One journal article has been written on the topic of Wilks formula validation. Based on the men's and women's world record holders and the top two performers for each event in the IPF's 1996 and 1997 World Championships (a total of 30 men and 27 women for each lift), it concluded:
There is no bias for men's or women's bench press and total.
“Wilks coefficient” enters the record as measurement system of the relative strength of powerlifters. Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what Wilks, coefficient and Measurement can confirm, complicate or overturn.
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