Barbell Back Squat vs Horizontal Leg Press

Barbell Squat vs Horizontal Leg Press Strength Standards

These bodyweight tables place the barbell back squat and horizontal leg 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 Squat / Horizontal Leg Press, pounds first and kilograms second. Enter your own sets above for exact ratings without testing a true one-rep max.

Men’s Barbell Squat vs Horizontal Leg 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 Squat vs Horizontal Leg 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 Squat vs Horizontal Leg Press Result Is Calculated

Both lifts are scored independently first: estimated max, bodyweight-adjusted strength level, and progress toward the next level. Those ratings drive the comparison.

1. Estimate a one-rep max from each set

When the set contains one rep, the entered load is the estimate. For 2–12 reps, the calculator keeps the less aggressive of the two formula results.

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

Set quality matters for this Barbell Squat vs Horizontal Leg Press comparison. Enter technically consistent, challenging sets, and prefer lower-rep results when practical because the estimate extends less far beyond the performed set.

2. Find the barbell back squat strength level

For barbell back squat, the individual exercise thresholds start from reference bodyweights of 190 lb for men and 150 lb for women. Exact-bodyweight targets use reference target × (user bodyweight ÷ reference bodyweight) to the two-thirds power.

The target rises more slowly than bodyweight so larger lifters are expected to squat more without requiring strength to increase pound for pound.

3. Find the horizontal leg press strength level

The horizontal leg press standards use the sex-specific standards from the individual Horizontal Leg Press 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.

The target rises more slowly than bodyweight so heavier lifters are expected to press more displayed resistance without requiring strength to increase pound for pound.

4. Compare the two results

Strength level decides the comparison first. Matching levels remain Balanced unless progress toward the next target differs by at least 10 points.

The result identifies the lower standards rating, not its cause. Technique, fatigue, training history, and set quality can all affect the comparison. Age range is recorded anonymously but does not change 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 Squat and Horizontal Leg Press Standards Differ

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

How Women’s Barbell Squat and Horizontal Leg Press Standards Differ

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

Barbell Squat and Horizontal Leg Press Exercises Used by This Calculator

For a useful comparison, perform a strict barbell back squat and a strict horizontal leg press using the setup and load rules below. Use strict, repeatable Barbell Squat and Horizontal Leg 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 a raw high-bar squat below parallel

Enter the bar plus all plates. Keep the bar high on the traps, descend until the hip crease passes below the top of the knee, and stand to full hip and knee extension. Do not enter per-side plates, low-bar, box, pin, partial, Smith-machine, hack-squat, wrapped, suited, or assisted results.

Use a strict horizontal leg press

Use the same horizontal machine, seat, stance, and range. Keep the back, hips, and pelvis against the pads, press from a controlled bottom depth to a controlled top position, and return without bouncing. Do not enter a 45-degree sled, vertical press, hack squat, single-leg rep, calf press, partial rep, or bodyweight-added load.

Enter one recent Barbell Squat result and one recent Horizontal Leg Press result

First lift: total barbell weight and 1–12 strict reps. Second lift: displayed total bilateral machine resistance and 1–12 strict reps. Pounds or kilograms.

Related Tools

• Barbell Back Squat (High-Bar, Full Depth) — View the individual Barbell Squat standards and next strength-level target.
• Horizontal Leg Press — View the individual Horizontal Leg Press standards and next strength-level target.
• Leg Press (45° Sled) — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Machine Hack Squat — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Leg Extension — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Barbell Front Squat — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.