1RM Calculators

Matthew Reilly · 10-13-2011, 08:22 AM

Does anyone here have experience with online 1RM calculators? If so, have you found them to be accurate. I came across this one yesterday: http://www.exrx.net/Calculators/OneRepMax.html (WFS). I haven't tested any 1RMs for a long time, so I'm curious if it is reasonably accurate.

Mike Wazowski · 10-13-2011, 09:08 AM

They are ok for 3-5 reps but do not expect, for example, to squat 315 for 10 and then hit 420 for a 'one rep max' if you never had more than 315 on your back.

Katherine Derbyshire · 10-13-2011, 09:11 AM

Accurate enough if you want to estimate a 1RM and base your training on percentages of it. Not accurate enough if you're trying to figure out what you could lift at a meet. And, as Mike said, more accurate for lower numbers of reps.

Katherine

Chris Mason · 10-13-2011, 09:52 AM

Just test your 1RM in the gym.... I never understand why people want to use formulas to figure out what they can lift?

Sean Dunston · 10-13-2011, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Mason

Just test your 1RM in the gym.... I never understand why people want to use formulas to figure out what they can lift?

Agreed.
Limit strength testing is awesome. You learn a lot about yourself by truly finding that 1RM.

Mike Wazowski · 10-13-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Mason

Just test your 1RM in the gym.... I never understand why people want to use formulas to figure out what they can lift?

That often happens when you have a high school football player who squats 405 for 10 and the coach enters his max squat as '550', seen it many times.

Aaron Gainer · 10-13-2011, 10:29 AM

Its a helpful guide in designing a program. Just remember percentages at 80% and up tend to be more accurate in getting close to your 1 rep max.

But, like others have said, try and test your 1 rep max in the gym. It doesn't have to be a limit max, but it should be close.

Sean Dunston · 10-14-2011, 10:06 AM

perfect example of why these things are inaccurate is shown on one of today's videos with Rob Orlando. He states he can pull a 500# DL for 10, but can't pull 575# for 1. If you go on the calculator you linked and plug in 500# x 10 reps it shows a 1RM of 667# 1RM...

not wfs due to swearing.

http://media.crossfit.com/cf-video/C...eadlift1x7.mov

Katherine Derbyshire · 10-14-2011, 10:19 AM

FWIW, two weeks ago I found a 3RM back squat and estimated my 1RM from that. Yesterday I actually tested my 1RM and beat the estimate by 5 kilos.

Katherine

Matthew Schwab · 10-14-2011, 07:58 PM

There is a mental component to 1RM's. You can't calculate that.

10-13-2011, 08:22 AM	#1
Matthew Reilly Member Profile: Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: St. Louis MO Posts: 106	1RM Calculators Does anyone here have experience with online 1RM calculators? If so, have you found them to be accurate. I came across this one yesterday: http://www.exrx.net/Calculators/OneRepMax.html (WFS). I haven't tested any 1RMs for a long time, so I'm curious if it is reasonably accurate.

10-13-2011, 09:08 AM	#2
Mike Wazowski Member Profile: Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: College Station TX Posts: 189	Re: 1RM Calculators They are ok for 3-5 reps but do not expect, for example, to squat 315 for 10 and then hit 420 for a 'one rep max' if you never had more than 315 on your back.

10-13-2011, 09:11 AM	#3
Katherine Derbyshire Member Profile: Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 7,596	Re: 1RM Calculators Accurate enough if you want to estimate a 1RM and base your training on percentages of it. Not accurate enough if you're trying to figure out what you could lift at a meet. And, as Mike said, more accurate for lower numbers of reps. Katherine

10-13-2011, 09:52 AM	#4
Chris Mason Banned Profile: Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Charlottesville VA Posts: 4,708	Re: 1RM Calculators Just test your 1RM in the gym.... I never understand why people want to use formulas to figure out what they can lift?

10-13-2011, 10:29 AM	#7
Aaron Gainer Member Profile: Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Macomb MI Posts: 693	Re: 1RM Calculators Its a helpful guide in designing a program. Just remember percentages at 80% and up tend to be more accurate in getting close to your 1 rep max. But, like others have said, try and test your 1 rep max in the gym. It doesn't have to be a limit max, but it should be close.
	__________________ B.S. Physical Education and Health NSCA C.S.C.S, USAW Level 1

10-14-2011, 10:06 AM	#8
Sean Dunston Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Alexandria VA Posts: 5,759	Re: 1RM Calculators perfect example of why these things are inaccurate is shown on one of today's videos with Rob Orlando. He states he can pull a 500# DL for 10, but can't pull 575# for 1. If you go on the calculator you linked and plug in 500# x 10 reps it shows a 1RM of 667# 1RM... not wfs due to swearing. http://media.crossfit.com/cf-video/C...eadlift1x7.mov
	__________________ Mount Vernon CrossFit, Owner USA Powerlifting, Virginia State Rep My gym- Mount Vernon CrossFit

10-14-2011, 10:19 AM	#9
Katherine Derbyshire Member Profile: Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 7,596	Re: 1RM Calculators FWIW, two weeks ago I found a 3RM back squat and estimated my 1RM from that. Yesterday I actually tested my 1RM and beat the estimate by 5 kilos. Katherine

10-14-2011, 07:58 PM	#10
Matthew Schwab Member Profile: Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 5	Re: 1RM Calculators There is a mental component to 1RM's. You can't calculate that.

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