Ape Index Calculator
What is the Ape Index?
The ape index, or gorilla index is the ratio of one’s wingspan to their height. For most people wingspan will be equal to height; giving an ape index of 1.
How do I measure my wingspan?
Spread your arms out straight on either side of your body. Have someone measure (ideally using a tape measure) from the tip of the longest finger on one hand to the tip of the longest finger on the other hand.
If you are doing this solo, stand with your back against a wall with the tips of your fingers on one side touching another wall (e.g. a corner of the room). Have a pencil in the hand touching the wall, and spread your arm out on the other side too. Reach across, with the hand with the pencil and mark the position of the tip of the other hand (your back can come off the wall provided the hand furthest from the side wall doesn’t move). Measure the distance from the side wall to the pencil mark – this is your wingspan.
My ape index is above 1…
An ape index above 1 can be beneficial to a number of sports; in basketball, combat sports, goalkeeping, climbing and swimming there is benefit to be gained from increased wingspan relative to height.
For the powerlifter, it comes as no surprise that a larger ape index favours the deadlift, essentially reducing the range of motion from the ground to lockout. Longer arms, however, will increase the distance to lockout on the bench press.