Absolute Versus Relative Strength

Have you ever heard the comment, "Pound for pound, he is the strongest player"? When people make that comment, they are talking about the concept of relative strength. One reason men are stronger than women is that they are bigger. Therefore, they have greater absolute strength. But males and females are not so different when it comes to relative strength. Your best friend may be stronger than you because he is bigger than you. However, when you take weight into account the story changes. For example, if your maximal bench press is 150 pounds and you weigh 100 pounds, your relative strength is 1.5 pounds per pound (150 ÷ 100). If your friend has a maximal bench press of 170 pounds and weighs 125 pounds, her relative strength is 1.36 pounds per pound (170 ÷ 125). Although your friend has greater absolute strength, relative to body weight, you are stronger. There are many sports or positions in sports where absolute strength is important (weightlifting, offensive linemen in football, sumo wrestling) and relative strength is important (rock climbing, rowing, wrestling).