What is a one rep max

What is One Rep Max and How it Works

A One Rep Max, (also known as 1RM) is the potential maximum weight you can lift for at least one repetition. Plenty of workout programs base exercise weight based upon your one-rep max. For example, a program can say something like “Do Squats 3 sets of 5 reps (3 x 5) at 85% of your one-rep max”. You would take your one-rep max and multiply it by 0.85 and you’ll be given the amount of weight you should be lifting.

Using the One Rep Max Calculator

To take the example above a bit further, if I went to the one rep max calculator I can enter the amount of weight I lifted and the number of repetitions. So if I know I can squat 225 lbs for 5 reps, I can put that in that calculator to get an estimated one rep max of 253 lbs. I’m also given all the percentages of my one rep max from 95% to 50%. From the example, we said that the program would call for 3 x 5 at 85% of the one-rep max. From the calculations given, that would be 215 lbs. If I had already known my one rep max was 253 lbs, I can just multiply 253 * 0.85 and I would be given 215 lbs as well. This tool is also great because you don’t have to actually lift your one-rep max to find out what it is. You can get an accurate gauge by just entering the number of repetitions you can do at X amount of weight.