Leg Press Calculator: Your Leg Press Max
Enter the plates you loaded, the reps you did and the sled weight if you know it. You get your estimated leg press 1RM and training weights.
- Counts the sled weight
- Plates per side
- lb and kg
Your leg press max
0 lb
How does the leg press calculator work?
This leg press one rep max calculator needs three numbers. Enter the total plates on the machine and the reps you did. If you know how much the empty sled weighs, add it. The leg press calculator works out your total load and averages seven 1RM formulas, just like our main 1RM calculator. Your result shows the total max and the plates-only max, so you know exactly what to load next time.
For example, 360 lb of plates for 10 reps on a sled that weighs 100 lb is a 460 lb total load. That gives an estimated leg press max of about 602.8 lb total, or about 502.8 lb of plates once you take off the 100 lb sled.
Why does the sled weight matter?
The sled you push is heavy on its own. Some machines have a light sled, others a heavy one, and on many machines the sled weight is printed on a label. If you leave it out, your numbers will still be consistent on that one machine, but they will not compare to other machines or to other people.
If you do not know the sled weight, leave it at 0. The leg press calculator will treat your plates as the whole load. Just remember that your leg press max only applies to that machine.
Why do leg press numbers vary so much between machines?
- Angle: most gym leg presses are angled at about 45 degrees, so you push only part of the load straight against gravity. Horizontal and vertical machines load you very differently.
- Sled weight and friction: heavier sleds and smoother rails change how heavy a given plate load feels.
- Range of motion: a deep rep is much harder than a quarter rep. Your max only means something if your depth is the same every time.
- Foot position: feet high on the platform use more hips, feet low use more quads.
So compare your leg press numbers only with yourself, on the same machine, with the same depth. The leg press also does not predict your squat, because the machine takes balance and your back out of the lift.
Leg press percentage chart
Leg press training is often done for higher reps. Here are training weights for a 600 lb total leg press max, rounded to 10 lb:
| % of 1RM | Weight | Reps (approx.) | Often used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | 600 lb | 1 | Max strength |
| 95% | 570 lb | ~2 | Max strength |
| 90% | 540 lb | ~4 | Max strength |
| 85% | 510 lb | ~6 | Strength |
| 80% | 480 lb | ~8 | Strength |
| 75% | 450 lb | ~11 | Hypertrophy |
| 70% | 420 lb | ~14 | Hypertrophy |
| 65% | 390 lb | ~17 | Size + endurance |
| 60% | 360 lb | ~20 | Size + endurance |
| 55% | 330 lb | 20+ | Warm-up |
| 50% | 300 lb | 20+ | Warm-up |
These are total loads. Subtract your sled weight to get the plates to add. The rep counts above 10 are rough guides, because 1RM formulas are least reliable there. One study that included the leg press found the drop in load from 1 to 20 reps was not a straight line, which is why high-rep estimates drift (Reynolds and colleagues, 2006).
How do I leg press heavy safely?
- Always use the safety stops or catches, and set them for your depth.
- Do not lock your knees out hard at the top of each rep.
- Keep your lower back and hips on the pad. If your hips roll up at the bottom, you are going too deep for your mobility.
- Stop if you feel pain in your knees or back.
Safety note: estimates only. Check with a doctor before heavy lifting if you have an injury, a heart condition or are pregnant.
More calculators
For free-weight leg strength, use the squat calculator or the deadlift calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Should I include the sled weight in my leg press max?
Include it if you know it, because it is part of the load you push. The leg press calculator shows both the total max and the plates-only max. If you do not know the sled weight, leave it at 0 and compare your numbers only on that machine.
How many reps should I use to estimate my leg press max?
Use a set of 3 to 10 reps with full, consistent depth. Estimates from sets of 15 or 20 reps are much less reliable, because they depend more on endurance than strength.
Can I compare my leg press to my squat?
No. The leg press removes balance and most of the load on your back, and machines differ in angle and sled weight. A leg press max does not predict a squat max.
Is it safe to test a true leg press max?
Most people do not need to. The leg press is usually trained for moderate to high reps. If you do test, use the safety stops, warm up well and stop if you feel pain.
Sources
- Reynolds JM, Gordon TJ, Robergs RA. Prediction of one repetition maximum strength from multiple repetition maximum testing and anthropometry. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2006;20(3):584-592. PubMed 16937972
- LeSuer DA, McCormick JH, Mayhew JL, Wasserstein RL, Arnold MD. The accuracy of prediction equations for estimating 1-RM performance in the bench press, squat, and deadlift. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 1997;11(4):211-213. Abstract