The Shocking Truth: How Much Can Steph Curry REALLY Bench Press?

The perception of Stephen Curry as a purely finesse-based shooter is now officially outdated. As of December 17, 2025, the four-time NBA Champion and all-time three-point leader has transformed his physique, turning his perceived weakness—lack of strength—into a quiet, competitive advantage that fuels his longevity and ability to withstand the rigors of an 82-game season. This deep dive uncovers the real numbers behind his strength, from his draft combine performance to his current elite training regimen.

The question of "how much can Steph Curry bench" has become a viral talking point precisely because his slight frame belies the functional power he has developed over his career to become one of the most durable and dominant guards in NBA history. While no recent official maximum lift (1-rep max) is publicly available, the verifiable data points from his early career and recent training insights from his inner circle provide a clear, surprising picture of the Golden State Warriors superstar's upper-body strength.

Wardell Stephen Curry II: Full Biographical Profile

To understand Stephen Curry's physical transformation, it's essential to first establish his background and career trajectory.

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• Full Name: Wardell Stephen Curry II
• Nickname: Steph, Chef Curry
• Date of Birth: March 14, 1988
• Place of Birth: Akron, Ohio, U.S.
• Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
• Weight: Approximately 185 lbs (84 kg) (Note: Has fluctuated with muscle gain)
• Position: Point Guard
• NBA Team: Golden State Warriors
• Draft: 7th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors
• Family: Son of former NBA player Dell Curry and brother of NBA player Seth Curry
• Key Career Milestones: 4x NBA Champion, 2x NBA MVP (including the only unanimous MVP), NBA scoring champion, All-Time NBA 3-Point Field Goals Leader

The Verified Numbers: Curry's Bench Press History

The most concrete, publicly verifiable data point on Stephen Curry's bench press comes from the pre-draft process. This number is often cited to contextualize his incredible strength gains over his professional career. [cite: 5 in step 1]

The NBA Combine Bench Press: 10 Reps of 185 Pounds

At the 2009 NBA Draft Combine, the standard test for upper-body strength is the 185-pound bench press repetition test. [cite: 5 in step 1, 11 in step 1]

Curry successfully completed 10 repetitions of 185 pounds. [cite: 5 in step 1]

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To put this into perspective, this was a surprisingly strong performance for a point guard of his stature and build at the time. [cite: 5 in step 1]

In a humorous twist that highlights the functional strength difference between positions, Curry's 10 reps were actually more than the 8 reps recorded by future All-Star center DeAndre Jordan, who struggled due to his exceptionally long arms. [cite: 5 in step 1]

Current Strength Indicator: The 100-Pound Dumbbell Bench Press

While his 1-rep max barbell bench press is not disclosed, a much more relevant and recent indicator of his current upper-body strength was revealed by his teammate, Draymond Green. [cite: 8 in step 1]

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Green mentioned that Curry now performs his dumbbell bench press using 100-pound weights. [cite: 8 in step 1]

This is a significant detail because dumbbell bench pressing requires more stabilization and involves a greater range of motion compared to the barbell press, making 100-pound dumbbells a serious indicator of functional strength and muscle hypertrophy. [cite: 8 in step 1]

Some highly exaggerated, unverified rumors have circulated online, claiming Curry can bench press "up to 400 pounds." [cite: 1 in step 1] Given his position, weight class, and focus on functional strength rather than pure powerlifting, this number is almost certainly a myth or a significant overstatement, but it speaks to the legend of his improved physical conditioning. [cite: 1 in step 1]

The Secret to Curry’s Strength: Functional Training and Muscle Gain

Curry’s strength journey is less about a single maximum lift and more about a holistic transformation driven by his long-time performance coach, Brandon Payne. [cite: 3 in step 1, 7 in step 2, 8 in step 2]

The "Elite Fitness" Philosophy of Brandon Payne

Brandon Payne, Curry's personal trainer, is the mastermind behind what he calls Curry's "elite level of fitness." [cite: 12 in step 2]

Payne’s methodology is not focused on bodybuilding but on creating a body that can withstand the physical demands of playing at an elite level for decades. [cite: 13 in step 2]

The goal is to increase strength, power, and speed simultaneously, ensuring Curry is "still gaining strength, power, and getting faster," even in the later stages of his career. [cite: 7 in step 2]

Gaining 15 Pounds of Functional Muscle

A key milestone in Curry's physical development was his decision to focus on muscle gain following his unanimous MVP season. [cite: 6 in step 2]

Curry successfully put on a reported 15 pounds of muscle, a gain that significantly improved his performance on the court. [cite: 6 in step 2]

This added mass is crucial for injury prevention, absorbing contact on drives to the basket, and maintaining his shooting form late in games when fatigue sets in. [cite: 4 in step 1, 6 in step 2]

Core Strength and Injury Prevention

Payne's training regimen emphasizes core strength and stability, which are far more critical for basketball performance than a heavy bench press. [cite: 6 in step 1, 8 in step 2]

His routine is intensive and includes a variety of full-body, functional movements that build strength in motion: [cite: 2 in step 1, 4 in step 1]

• Compound Lifts: Exercises like goblet squats and lateral lunges build lower-body power and stability. [cite: 4 in step 1]
• Shoulder/Arm Work: Arnold presses and dumbbell lateral raises are used to build the shoulder durability needed for his high-volume shooting. [cite: 2 in step 1]
• Explosive Movements: Kettlebell swings help develop hip and core explosiveness, which translates directly to his quick release and driving power. [cite: 4 in step 1]

This focus on a strong foundation is what allows Curry to maintain his high efficiency inside the three-point line, where he is forced to battle with bigger defenders and absorb contact. [cite: 11 in step 2]

Topical Authority: The Impact of Strength on Curry's Game

The answer to "how much can Steph Curry bench" is less about the weight and more about the impact of that strength on his legendary career. His improved physical conditioning has directly led to several key on-court advantages. [cite: 7 in step 2, 11 in step 2]

Increased Durability: The added muscle mass and focus on injury prevention have allowed Curry to maintain an exceptionally high level of play well into his thirties, shrugging off bumps and bruises that would have sidelined the younger, slighter version of himself. [cite: 6 in step 2]

Better Defense: Draymond Green noted that Curry moves "much better laterally," a testament to his improved overall body strength and core stability, allowing him to hold his ground against opposing guards. [cite: 8 in step 1]

Shooting Consistency: The upper-body strength gained from exercises like the 100-pound dumbbell bench press provides the endurance necessary to maintain his perfect shooting mechanics throughout an entire game, even in the fourth quarter. [cite: 2 in step 1]

In summary, while Stephen Curry's official maximum bench press remains a mystery, the evidence points to a current upper-body strength far exceeding his combine days. His ability to perform 10 reps of 185 pounds in 2009, and now regularly train with 100-pound dumbbells, confirms that "Chef Curry" has the functional power to back up his "elite fitness" status and cement his legacy as one of the most physically conditioned players of his generation. [cite: 5 in step 1, 8 in step 1, 12 in step 2]