Arm wrestling weight classes and age categories
Who pulls whom, and why. The official classes, the age groups, and what to do when a class is too small to run.
Updated October 2026
Senior weight classes
The World Armwrestling Federation (WAF) sets the classes below. Left and right arm are separate, so every class has two brackets. Seniors can be any age.
| Class | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Classes | Up to 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 100, 110 kg, and over 110 kg | Up to 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 80, 90 kg, and over 90 kg |
| Number of classes | 11 | 8 |
Weights are the upper limit of each class in kilograms. "Up to 55" means 55.0 kg or less. Source: WAF Rules of Armwrestling, 2023 edition, section 1.3.
Age groups
Age is counted by calendar year, and the same age groups apply to men and women.
| Group | Age |
|---|---|
| Sub Junior | 14 to 15 |
| Junior 18 | 16 to 18 |
| Youth 23 | 19 to 23 |
| Senior | Any age |
| Masters | 40 to 49 |
| Grand Masters | 50 to 59 |
| Senior Grand Masters | 60 to 69 |
| Super Senior Grand Masters | 70 and over |
Weight classes by age group
Younger and older groups use their own, usually shorter, class lists.
| Group | Men or boys | Women or girls |
|---|---|---|
| Masters | Up to 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 kg, over 100 kg | Up to 60, 70, 80 kg, over 80 kg |
| Grand Masters | Up to 70, 80, 90, 100 kg, over 100 kg | Up to 60, 70, 80 kg, over 80 kg |
| Senior Grand Masters | Up to 70, 80, 90, 100 kg, over 100 kg | Not listed |
| Super Senior Grand Masters | Open weight | Not listed |
| Sub Junior | Up to 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70 kg, over 70 kg | Up to 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 70 kg, over 70 kg |
| Junior 18 | Up to 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 90 kg, over 90 kg | Up to 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70 kg, over 70 kg |
| Youth 23 | Up to 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90 kg, over 90 kg | Up to 50, 55, 60, 65, 70 kg, over 70 kg |
WAF also lists separate classes for para armwrestling. See the full rulebook for those. Source: WAF Rules of Armwrestling, 2023 edition, sections 1.3 and 1.5.
How weigh in works
WAF weigh ins are strict: there is no clothing allowance, and the scale has to read at or under the class limit, so a 70 kg class means 70.0 kg or less. A puller may weigh in at their own class, or jump one class higher. At a club event the organiser sets the rules, so read the event page.
Pullers who are over 40 can enter their age group, and often the senior classes as well. A sub junior can only enter sub junior classes under WAF rules.
When a class is too small
Official classes assume a big field. At a club or community event, one or two pullers in a class is common, and nobody wants to travel to pull one match.
The fix is to merge thin classes into the next one up and set a minimum of how many pullers a class needs to stand alone. Children are never moved up a weight class and never pull adults, so only adult classes merge. Armstrong does this for you from the weigh in, and lets you choose between dynamic classes, fixed international style classes, open weight or your own limits. See formats for organisers.
Classes that build themselves
Choose fixed classes or let Armstrong shape the brackets around who turns up. Free during Beta.
Quick answers
What are the weight classes in arm wrestling?
For senior men the WAF classes are up to 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 100 and 110 kg, and over 110 kg. For senior women they are up to 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 80 and 90 kg, and over 90 kg.
Are left arm and right arm separate?
Yes. Each hand has its own bracket in every class, because most people have a stronger and a weaker side.
What age groups are there in arm wrestling?
Sub Junior (14 to 15), Junior 18 (16 to 18), Youth 23 (19 to 23), Senior (any age), Masters (40 to 49), Grand Masters (50 to 59), Senior Grand Masters (60 to 69) and Super Senior Grand Masters (70 and over).
Can I compete in a higher weight class?
Under WAF rules a puller may weigh in at their normal class or jump one class higher. Local events set their own rules.
What if there are not enough pullers in my class?
Merge the class into the next one up. Armstrong does this automatically from the weigh in, and never moves children up or pulls them against adults.