What's Your One Rep Max?

Calculate your 1RM

Method #1 - Using Multiplication


Here is an interesting chart, which should be able to help you in calculating your projected 1 rep max. This will make it easier for you to decide how much weight you want to try, as it gives you a good ball park figure.

Relationships between reps and % maximum load for one rep maximum (1RM). The maximum strength zone is 1 - 6 reps, and bodybuilding 6 - 12. Strength / Endurance 12 reps or more.

One Rep Max Calculations Repetitions Coefficient

1> 1


2> 1.047


3> 1.091


4> 1.130


5> 1.167


6> 1.202


7> 1.236


8> 1.269


9> 1.300


10> 1.330


11> 1.359


12> 1.387


HOW TO USE CHART # 1

If you bench press 135 x 12...multiply 135 by the coefficient of 12 (1.387) and get 187.2...meaning your one rep max for bench press is 187.2 pounds roughly.

If you arm curl 100 lbs once, then to find out what you should do for sets of 8 to failure, divide 100 by the coefficient for 8 (1.269), to find that you should be able to arm curl 78.8 pounds 8 times to failure.


Method #2 - Using Division

Here is an interesting chart, which should be able to help you in calculating your projected 1 RM's. This will make it easier for you to decide how much weight you want to try, as it gives you a good ball park figure.

Relationships between reps and % maximum load for one rep maximum (1RM). The maximum strength zone is 1 - 6 reps, and bodybuilding 6 - 12. Strength / Endurance 12 reps or more.

One Rep Max Calculations Repetitions Coefficient

1> 100


2> 95.5


3> 91.7


4> 88.5


5> 85.7


6> 83.2


7> 80.9


8> 78.8


9> 76.9


10> 75.2


11> 73.6


12> 72.1


HOW TO USE CHART # 2

If you bench press 135 x 12...divide 135 by the coefficient of 12 (0.721) and get 187.2...meaning your one rep max for bench press is 187.2 pounds roughly.

If you arm curl 100 lbs once, then to find out what you should do for sets of 8 to failure, multiply 100 by the coefficient for 8 (0.788), to find that you should be able to arm curl 78.8 pounds 8 times to failure.