One-Rep Max Calculator – Calculate Your 1RM

Calculate your one-rep max based on the reps and weight you lifted today

Calculated One-Rep Max:

95%:	?	70%:	?
90%:	?	65%:	?
85%:	?	60%:	?
80%:	?	55%:	?
75%:	?	50%:	?

Calculated using the Brzycki formula ^[1]

Learn how we calculated this below

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How to Calculate Your One-Rep Max

In a weight lifting program, every routine consists of a certain amount of reps, sets, and weight that you lift for each exercise. One of the hardest things for beginners is figuring out how much weight they should be lifting for any given exercise.

A good starting point is to determine your one-rep max, or 1RM. From there, you can adjust your reps and sets in your strength training routine based on a percentage of your one-rep max.

Determining your one-rep max is important for any weightlifting program. Strength training burns calories while you exercise, and also builds lean muscle mass. The lean muscle gained during these workouts will increase your resting metabolic rate and allow you to burn more calories at rest.

It should come as no surprise that strength training has been shown to increase lean muscle mass in several studies, leading to increases in resting metabolic rate.^[2]^[3]

One-Rep Max Formula

One way to estimate your one-rep max is to use the Brzycki formula. In this calculation, the one-rep max is based on the total number of reps lifted while using a lighter weight.

The reason for using this calculation instead of just attempting to lift a heavy weight is to avoid injuries. Attempting a lift with heavy weight by simply trying to “guess” your one-rep max can place an unsafe amount of stress and load on muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones.

For this calculation:

1RM = weight lifted × 36 / 37 – reps

Max Reps

A helpful strategy to determine your one-rep max is choosing a lighter weight and performing as many reps as you can with proper form until you fatigue.

Research has shown that individuals performing weight lifting sets with low reps using a heavy weight versus high reps using lighter weights have similar muscle growth.^[4] By performing max reps with a lighter weight, you can determine your one-rep max while decreasing the risk of injury.

However, for trained athletes looking for maximum muscle hypertrophy, research has also shown that using heavier weights is still the best option for amplifying strength gains.^[5] By performing max reps with a lighter weight you can determine your one-rep max without an increased risk for injury.

1RM Weight Percentage Table

Weight percentage of one-rep max for max repetitions
Percent of 1RM	Max Reps
100%	1RM
95%	2RM
93%	3RM
90%	4RM
87%	5RM
85%	6RM
83%	7RM
80%	8RM
77%	9RM
75%	10RM
73%	11RM
70%	12RM

Bench Press

The bench press is the gold standard exercise to assess the strength of the chest, or pectoral muscles. This is also a good lift to help measure the strength of the shoulders and triceps.

Using <10 reps at about 85% of the one-rep max appears to be the best way to estimate the one-rep max. One study in particular found that formulas to calculate one-rep maxes are most accurate for bench press, as compared to deadlifts or squats.^[6]

Squat

One of the best weight lifting exercises to determine lower body strength is the squat. This movement targets the glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calves while also requiring core stabilization.

Since squats can place a large amount of strain on the lower back if performed incorrectly, determining a one-rep max using a formula is a much safer way than trying to lift a heavier weight than one can handle. The calculations for a one-rep max for squats are slightly less accurate as compared to bench press.

Max Deadlift

The deadlift is a great strength training exercise that targets several muscle groups at once. Deadlifts strengthen the glutes, hamstrings, hip flexors, and quads. Plus, you’re activating muscles in the upper back and core during the movement as well.

Calculating a one-rep max is very important for deadlifts since you really need to focus on form (and not so much on using a heavy weight) when you first start doing this exercise. This is important to avoid injury, and to move efficiently.

Once determined, you can then lift a percentage of your one-rep max until you perfect the technique and gradually increase the weight you are using. The formulas for one-rep max have been found to underestimate the deadlift one-rep max.

However, this is still a good starting point when beginning a strength training program. Utilize the help of a trainer if necessary – and don’t forget that you can always begin to learn proper technique with an empty barbell, or even a PVC pipe!