The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of the presence of an audience and competition on maximal weight lifting performance. Thirty-two recreationally trained participants (15 men, 17 women; 21 +/- 2.5 years) performed a 1 repetition maximum (1 RM) bench press during 3 different situations (coaction, competitive coaction, and audience condition). Subjects also completed the Activation-Deactivation Adjective Checklist Short Form following the 3 trials to measure arousal state during each of the 3 trials. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between competitive coaction and coaction trials as well as between audience and coaction trials. Both men and women demonstrated the highest performance in front of an audience (105 +/- 48 kg) followed by competition (103 +/- 46 kg) and then the coaction trial (93 +/- 43 kg). No significant difference in arousal was measured between trials. The data suggest that performing a maximal lift in the presence of an audience or in competition facilitates performance and support the self-presentation and self-awareness theories. Social facilitation effects should be controlled in research settings and may aid the performance of weight lifting activities during events or competition.