Most people know gorillas are strong, but just how strong compared to a human might surprise you.
While there’s really no comparison between our two species, there’s a whole lot to consider when it comes to strength—and humans will always come out on the losing side. Gorillas’ power isn’t just physical, it’s evolutionary. Here’s how they compare in strength, agility, and raw force. You probably won’t be shocked to know that we wouldn’t stand a chance in a human-ape war.
1. A gorilla’s upper body strength far exceeds ours.
Adult male gorillas, particularly silverbacks, have an upper body built for power—massive arms, broad chests, and dense muscles built from daily climbing, knuckle-walking, and foraging. Their chest and shoulder muscles are significantly more developed than a human’s.
Estimates suggest a gorilla can lift between 1,800 and 2,000 pounds—roughly four to ten times what the average man could manage. In real-world terms, a gorilla could easily tear apart a small tree, bend metal bars, or hurl heavy objects—without training, supplements, or technique.
2. Their grip strength makes ours look laughable.
A gorilla’s grip is strong enough to crack thick bamboo or snap small trees with ease. They use their hands constantly—not just for grabbing, but for pulling their massive bodies up steep inclines and trees.
Studies estimate gorilla grip strength exceeds 1,300 PSI (pounds per square inch), whereas a typical human’s grip might max out around 300 PSI. If a gorilla wrapped its fingers around your wrist, you wouldn’t be pulling away. Their hands are tools of dominance, survival, and control.
3. Their bite force is several times stronger than a human’s.
Though gorillas are herbivores, their bite force is no joke. It’s one of the strongest in the animal kingdom, clocking in at around 1,300 PSI—strong enough to crush hard vegetation, thick roots, and even large nuts. Humans, by comparison, average around 150 to 200 PSI. While we use forks and knives to break down food, gorillas rely on raw jaw power. It’s a strength you rarely see, but one that could do serious damage if used defensively.
4. They can run faster than you think.
While they’re not built for sprinting like big cats, gorillas are shockingly fast over short distances. A silverback can run up to 20 to 25 mph when charging or fleeing danger. In comparison, the average human runs between 6 to 8 mph. Even trained athletes peak around 15 to 20 mph in a sprint. If you were trying to outrun a gorilla in the wild, your best chance wouldn’t be your legs—it would be climbing, hiding, or not provoking one in the first place.
5. Their agility rivals their strength.
Gorillas aren’t just bulky tanks—they’re agile climbers with excellent balance and coordination. They can scale trees, navigate uneven terrain, and leap with surprising precision, even at weights nearing 400 pounds.
While humans can certainly climb, our agility comes with training and effort. Gorillas move through forest canopies instinctively. Their physical strength combined with agility makes them nearly impossible to outmatch in a forested environment.
6. Their endurance isn’t built for marathons, but for resilience.
Gorillas aren’t built for long-distance travel, but they’re incredibly resilient. They can move through rough jungle terrain, forage for hours, and defend territory without tiring quickly. Their muscle mass works more like controlled strength than raw endurance.
Humans may outperform them in distance running, but gorillas could win in a sustained power output contest—pushing, pulling, and carrying heavy loads repeatedly over time. Think of them more like powerlifters than marathon runners.
7. They can throw with serious force.
Gorillas occasionally throw objects like rocks, branches, or clumps of dirt as a form of intimidation. These aren’t wild tantrums—these are calculated displays of force, and their throws can be surprisingly accurate. A gorilla’s muscle power gives it the ability to launch heavy objects with force that could seriously injure a person. It’s not their go-to move, but when used, it sends a clear message—back off.
8. Their bone density adds hidden strength.
Gorilla bones are thicker and denser than human bones, especially in the arms and legs. This gives them greater leverage and impact resistance, whether they’re climbing trees or engaging in combat with rivals. A punch or shove from a gorilla doesn’t just come from muscle—it’s backed by dense, solid skeletal structure that enhances every movement. It’s the kind of strength that doesn’t look flashy, but hits hard—literally.
9. Their core strength is unmatched.
The core muscles of a gorilla are what stabilise their powerful frame and allow for coordinated movement across unstable ground. They’re constantly shifting their weight, crouching, balancing, and lifting without effort. In humans, core strength takes targeted training. For a gorilla, it’s built into everyday life. Their centre of gravity, combined with raw strength, makes them incredibly hard to unbalance or overpower in close contact.
10. Their strength is instinctive, not trained.
Perhaps the most fascinating part? Gorillas don’t train for their strength. They don’t do reps, count macros, or hit personal bests. Their strength comes from natural movement—climbing, foraging, interacting, and existing in dense forest terrain.
This makes their power even more impressive. A gorilla doesn’t need to try to be strong—it simply is. Compared to a human bodybuilder, who trains relentlessly to reach certain benchmarks, a gorilla achieves more power without ever trying. Nature did the heavy lifting for them.