Why the formulas disagree at high reps
All 1RM formulas agree at one rep (it is just the weight) and stay close up to about eight. Past that, a set becomes a test of endurance as much as strength, and each formula guesses differently. Drag the reps for a 100 kg set and watch the fan open.
At 5 reps the formulas differ by 6.5 kg (6.5% of the lift). Close enough to program from.
Your rep maxes: what you could lift for 1 to 12 reps
The reverse of the calculator: from your estimated max, the heaviest weight you could expect to lift for each rep count, averaging the inverse Epley and Brzycki formulas and rounded to 5 lb jumps. Use it to pick a weight for a rep target.
| Reps | Weight | % of 1RM |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 115 lb | 100% |
| 2 | 110 lb | 95% |
| 3 | 105 lb | 93% |
| 4 | 105 lb | 90% |
| 5 | 100 lb | 87% |
| 6 | 100 lb | 85% |
| 7 | 95 lb | 82% |
| 8 | 90 lb | 80% |
| 9 | 90 lb | 77% |
| 10 | 85 lb | 75% |
| 11 | 85 lb | 73% |
| 12 | 80 lb | 70% |
Training zones by percentage
| Goal | % of 1RM | Typical reps | Your weights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max strength / peaking | 85–95% | 1–5 | 100–110 lb |
| Strength | 75–85% | 4–8 | 85–100 lb |
| Hypertrophy | 65–80% | 6–15 | 75–90 lb |
| Technique, speed, warm-up | 50–65% | 3–10 | 60–75 lb |
Zones follow the NSCA's general load–repetition guidance; individual rep capacity at a given percentage varies, especially on the deadlift and for lower-body lifts.
The formulas
| Name | Formula (w = weight, r = reps) |
|---|---|
| Epley (1985) | w × (1 + r / 30) |
| Brzycki (1993) | w × 36 / (37 − r) |
| Lombardi | w × r^0.10 |
| Lander | 100w / (101.3 − 2.67123r) |
| O'Conner | w × (1 + 0.025r) |
| Mayhew | 100w / (52.2 + 41.9e^(−0.055r)) |
| Wathan | 100w / (48.8 + 53.8e^(−0.075r)) |
For programming, round working weights to what you can actually load: 5 lb or 2.5 kg jumps for most lifts. The RPE calculator refines the estimate when your set was not all-out.