YOUR LIFT
Calculate your one-rep max
Enter the weight you lifted and the number of clean reps you completed.
An estimate for training, not a tested maximum.
Training weights
| Intensity | Target weight | What it means |
|---|
Percentage weights are based on the Epley estimate and are rounded to one decimal. They aren't personalized prescriptions.
Primary muscles are highlighted in teal.
PRIMARY MUSCLES
How to perform the paused bench press
- Lie on the bench with your feet planted and hands set evenly on the bar.
- Lower the weight to a controlled touch point around the mid chest.
- Press back up until your arms are straight without bouncing the bar.
Muscles worked
Main focus: Chest
Also involved: Front shoulders and triceps
Form tip
Keep your shoulder blades supported and use a repeatable bar path.
Common mistake
Letting the bar bounce off the chest or lifting your hips off the bench.
Safety and setup
Use a spotter or appropriate safeties when lifting heavily.
Pause the bar briefly at the chest before pressing.
Record the same equipment, setup and range of motion when comparing your estimated maximum over time.
This calculator uses the total external load you enter. For dumbbell exercises, use the weight per dumbbell and be consistent when comparing workouts. For machine exercises, keep the same machine and setup, because stacks and leverage differ.
Related exercises
UNDERSTAND YOUR RESULT
What is a one-rep max?
Your one-repetition maximum (1RM) is the greatest weight you can lift once with proper form for a particular exercise. You can estimate it without attempting a heavy single: enter the weight and reps from a challenging set.
Our default estimate uses the Epley formula. We also show the Brzycki estimate so you can see that there isn't one exact formula for every lifter. The estimates become less dependable as repetitions rise, especially if the set wasn't close to your actual limit.
How accurate is a 1RM calculator?
It's a useful starting point for planning, not a guarantee of what you can lift. Rep technique, training experience, fatigue, equipment, and proximity to failure all matter. Use a recent, consistent set, ideally around 3–6 hard repetitions, and never treat the result as a reason to attempt an unsafe maximum.