Bench press world records are the international records in bench press across the years, regardless of weight class or governing organization, for bench pressing on the back without using a bridge technique. The advent of bench press shirts, which support the lifter's shoulders and provide upward force, have increased records significantly since 1985 (for example, when the shirted record was 438.64 kg (965 lb), the unshirted record was 323.41 kg (713 lb)). As of 2015, the world record bench press without a bench shirt is 335 kg (739 lb), set by Kirill Sarychev (Russia) in November 2015. The women bench press record (single lift) belongs to Lonn Sandra from Sweden, who lifted 235.0 kg (517 lb) and the women bench press record belongs to Hugdal Hildeborg from Norway, who lifted 227.0 kg (499.4 lb) (IPF standards).
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Foundation of the International Powerlifting Federation
With the foundation of the IPF (International Powerlifting Federation), the Federation began keeping "official" powerlifting world records as the international governing body for the sport of powerlifting. Previous records which hadn't been set within the newly established rules, were reset (For example, elbow bandages had been allowed prior to the formation of the IPF, but were later outlawed). These are the official bench press records after the IPF-reset until they surpass the previously set mark of 306 kg (675 lb) by Jim Williams.
Equipped (with bench shirt)
* note: Anthony Clark performed a controversial 800-pound bench press at the Arnold Classic in 1997, 2 years before Tim Isaac. This lift was, however, later turned down.
Unequipped (without bench shirt)
For the bench press to be considered raw, no bench shirts are allowed; however, wrist wraps, singlets and belts are allowed. Elbow bandages had been allowed prior to the formation of the IPF, but were later outlawed.
IPC Powerlifting
International Paralympic Committee regulates unequipped paralympic powerlifting competition without wrist wraps or belt.