A silverback gorilla can bench press approximately between 900 pounds (around 419 kg) and up to about 4,000 pounds (1,810 kg), depending on the source and context. Some estimates suggest a theoretical maximum bench press of about 925 pounds (419 kg) based on muscle force calculations, while other popular claims state they could lift as much as 4,000 pounds, far exceeding the bench press capabilities of even the strongest humans
. The wide range in these numbers comes from differences in how strength is measured or estimated. Gorillas have very strong pulling muscles and long arms, which makes pushing motions like bench pressing less optimal compared to humans, who have shorter arms and a body structure better suited for bench pressing
. Nonetheless, their upper body strength is generally considered to be 4 to 9 times that of an average human, and they can lift many times their own body weight
. In summary:
- Conservative scientific estimates put a silverback gorilla's bench press around 900–925 pounds (about twice their body weight)
- Popular claims and some sources suggest they could bench press up to 4,000 pounds, though this is likely an exaggeration or theoretical maximum
- Gorillas are much stronger than humans overall, especially in pulling and climbing strength, but their anatomy is less suited for bench pressing compared to humans
Thus, while exact numbers vary, a silverback gorilla's bench press strength is far beyond that of any human, with estimates ranging from roughly 900 pounds to several thousand pounds.
