Barbell Side Lunge vs Pallof Press

Barbell Side Lunge vs Pallof Press Strength Standards

These bodyweight tables place the barbell side lunge and pallof press targets side by side from Novice through Elite. Use them to compare standards, not to force a particular ratio between the lifts.

Find the closest row in the men’s or women’s table. Every target lists Barbell Side Lunge / Pallof Press, pounds first and kilograms second. Enter your own sets above for exact ratings without testing a true one-rep max.

Men’s Barbell Side Lunge vs Pallof Press Standards

How to read the table: Find the closest bodyweight, then use the labeled exercise row. Every strength-level entry shows one target with pounds first and kilograms beneath it.

Women’s Barbell Side Lunge vs Pallof Press Standards

How to read the table: Find the closest bodyweight, then use the labeled exercise row. Every strength-level entry shows one target with pounds first and kilograms beneath it.

How Your Barbell Side Lunge vs Pallof Press Result Is Calculated

The comparison starts by estimating each max separately. It then rates both lifts against their own standards before identifying the lower result.

1. Estimate a one-rep max from each set

A one-rep set uses the entered weight. For 2–12 reps, both formulas are calculated and the lower estimate is retained.

• Epley: weight × (1 + reps ÷ 30)
• Brzycki: weight × 36 ÷ (37 − reps)

Use recent Barbell Side Lunge and Pallof Press sets with consistent technique and full intended range of motion. Difficult lower-rep sets generally make the estimated max less dependent on extrapolation.

2. Find the barbell side lunge strength level

The standards use the sex-specific thresholds from the individual Barbell Side Lunge tool. Targets begin at 190 lb for men and 150 lb for women, then adjust to exact bodyweight with reference target × (user bodyweight ÷ reference bodyweight) to the two-thirds power.

This adjustment expects larger lifters to move more weight, but it does not increase the target pound for pound with bodyweight.

3. Find the pallof press strength level

The pallof press rating uses its sex-specific exercise standards. Reference targets at 190 lb for men and 150 lb for women are scaled to the entered bodyweight by reference target × (user bodyweight ÷ reference bodyweight) to the two-thirds power.

This adjustment expects larger lifters to move more weight, but it does not increase the target pound for pound with bodyweight.

4. Compare the two results

Each max receives a level from Beginner through Elite. The lower-level lift becomes the priority. At matching levels, a priority appears only when one lift is at least 10 points farther from its next level; otherwise the result is Balanced.

A priority result is a standards comparison, not a diagnosis. Differences in technique, fatigue, practice, or set effort may influence it. Age range is recorded anonymously and does not alter these standards.

Use the calculator above to view both estimated maxes, strength levels, next targets, and the resulting priority or Balanced verdict.

How Men’s Barbell Side Lunge and Pallof Press Standards Differ

How to read this chart: Choose a strength level and follow its line across bodyweight. Values show the Pallof Press standard minus the Barbell Side Lunge standard: zero means equal, above zero means the Pallof Press standard is higher, and below zero means the Barbell Side Lunge standard is higher. Swipe horizontally on mobile. Use the standards table for exact lb/kg targets.

How Women’s Barbell Side Lunge and Pallof Press Standards Differ

How to read this chart: Choose a strength level and follow its line across bodyweight. Values show the Pallof Press standard minus the Barbell Side Lunge standard: zero means equal, above zero means the Pallof Press standard is higher, and below zero means the Barbell Side Lunge standard is higher. Swipe horizontally on mobile. Use the standards table for exact lb/kg targets.

Barbell Side Lunge and Pallof Press Exercises Used by This Calculator

For a useful comparison, perform a strict barbell side lunge and a strict pallof press using the setup and load rules below. Use strict, repeatable Barbell Side Lunge and Pallof Press tests that follow each exercise’s setup, range of motion, equipment, and load rules. Do not mix variations, assistance, partial range, momentum, or different load conventions.

Use the exercise-specific Barbell Side Lunge setup and load convention

Barbell is positioned on the upper back; high-bar or low-bar placement is allowed. Lifter begins standing upright with feet hip-width apart. Lifter steps laterally into a wide stance. Working foot remains flat and planted throughout the rep. Lifter descends by sitting into the working hip. Non-working leg remains extended with minimal knee bend. Working thigh reaches at least parallel, with hip crease at or below knee level. Each repetition counts only after returning to a fully upright standing position with hips and knees extended and feet returned under the body. Torso remains neutral with minimal forward collapse or rotation. Each rep is controlled with consistent depth, step width, and tempo. Reps are performed evenly on both sides; weaker side determines valid load and rep count. Raw lifting only; no equipped or assisted support is included. No shallow side steps without clear depth, forward or rotational lunge substitutions, excessive torso lean, momentum-assisted returns, assisted variations, machine-based lateral lunges, Smith machine variations, partial reps, uneven step widths, or equipped lifting are included. Load input represents total barbell weight only, not bodyweight. Standards reflect unilateral lower-body strength with significant lateral stability demands. Side lunges typically allow less loading than forward or reverse lunges due to reduced mechanical efficiency. Most lifters are limited by hip mobility, adductor strength, and lateral balance. Shallow depth or shortened step width will inflate results. Strict, repeatable execution is required for valid comparisons. Estimated 1RM is calculated from the entered weight used and reps.

Use the Pallof Press setup and load convention

The selected cable resistance pressed from the approved anti-rotation stance. Valid Pallof Press reps. Press the handle from the chest to full arm extension and return it under control while the hips, ribs, shoulders, and stance resist rotation. Consistent setup, range, and finish quality across the entered set. No substituted exercise or assisted reps.

Enter one recent Barbell Side Lunge result and one recent Pallof Press result

First lift: weight used and 1–12 strict reps. Second lift: displayed machine or cable resistance and 1–12 strict reps. Pounds or kilograms.

Related Tools

• Barbell Side Lunge — View the individual Barbell Side Lunge standards and next strength-level target.
• Pallof Press — View the individual Pallof Press standards and next strength-level target.
• Barbell Cossack Squat — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Barbell Lunge — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Cable Woodchopper — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Landmine Rotation — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.