Barbell Curl vs Axle Curl Strength Standards
Compare your barbell curl and axle curl against strength standards for your sex and bodyweight. Enter one recent set of 1–12 reps for each lift to see your estimated one-rep maxes, strength levels, next targets, and which lift you should prioritize.
Use the correct input for each exercise: Total barbell weight and a whole number from 1 to 12 reps for Barbell Curl and Weight used and a whole number from 1 to 12 reps for Axle Curl. Use a standing barbell curl with a supinated grip, stable torso and upper arms, full controlled bottom range, and a clear top curl and the total axle weight curled with a strict standing curl. You can enter either lift in pounds or kilograms. Each lift is compared with its own standards, so the heavier lift is not automatically the stronger one.
Barbell Curl vs Axle Curl Strength Standards
These bodyweight tables place the barbell curl and axle curl 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 Curl / Axle Curl, pounds first and kilograms second. Enter your own sets above for exact ratings without testing a true one-rep max.
Men’s Barbell Curl vs Axle Curl 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.
| Bodyweight | Exercise | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 lb54.4 kg | Barbell Curl | 42 lb19.1 kg | 63 lb28.6 kg | 91 lb41.3 kg | 119 lb54 kg |
| Axle Curl | 28 lb12.7 kg | 42 lb19.1 kg | 59 lb26.8 kg | 78 lb35.4 kg | |
| 130 lb59 kg | Barbell Curl | 44 lb20 kg | 67 lb30.4 kg | 96 lb43.5 kg | 126 lb57.2 kg |
| Axle Curl | 30 lb13.6 kg | 44 lb20 kg | 62 lb28.1 kg | 82 lb37.2 kg | |
| 140 lb63.5 kg | Barbell Curl | 47 lb21.3 kg | 70 lb31.8 kg | 101 lb45.8 kg | 132 lb59.9 kg |
| Axle Curl | 31 lb14.1 kg | 47 lb21.3 kg | 65 lb29.5 kg | 86 lb39 kg | |
| 150 lb68 kg | Barbell Curl | 49 lb22.2 kg | 73 lb33.1 kg | 106 lb48.1 kg | 138 lb62.6 kg |
| Axle Curl | 32 lb14.5 kg | 49 lb22.2 kg | 68 lb30.8 kg | 91 lb41.3 kg | |
| 160 lb72.6 kg | Barbell Curl | 51 lb23.1 kg | 77 lb34.9 kg | 111 lb50.3 kg | 144 lb65.3 kg |
| Axle Curl | 34 lb15.4 kg | 51 lb23.1 kg | 71 lb32.2 kg | 95 lb43.1 kg | |
| 170 lb77.1 kg | Barbell Curl | 53 lb24 kg | 80 lb36.3 kg | 115 lb52.2 kg | 150 lb68 kg |
| Axle Curl | 35 lb15.9 kg | 53 lb24 kg | 74 lb33.6 kg | 98 lb44.5 kg | |
| 180 lb81.6 kg | Barbell Curl | 55 lb24.9 kg | 83 lb37.6 kg | 120 lb54.4 kg | 156 lb70.8 kg |
| Axle Curl | 37 lb16.8 kg | 55 lb24.9 kg | 77 lb34.9 kg | 102 lb46.3 kg | |
| 190 lb86.2 kg | Barbell Curl | 57 lb25.9 kg | 86 lb39 kg | 124 lb56.2 kg | 162 lb73.5 kg |
| Axle Curl | 38 lb17.2 kg | 57 lb25.9 kg | 80 lb36.3 kg | 106 lb48.1 kg | |
| 200 lb90.7 kg | Barbell Curl | 59 lb26.8 kg | 89 lb40.4 kg | 128 lb58.1 kg | 168 lb76.2 kg |
| Axle Curl | 39 lb17.7 kg | 59 lb26.8 kg | 83 lb37.6 kg | 110 lb49.9 kg | |
| 210 lb95.3 kg | Barbell Curl | 61 lb27.7 kg | 92 lb41.7 kg | 133 lb60.3 kg | 173 lb78.5 kg |
| Axle Curl | 41 lb18.6 kg | 61 lb27.7 kg | 86 lb39 kg | 113 lb51.3 kg | |
| 220 lb99.8 kg | Barbell Curl | 63 lb28.6 kg | 95 lb43.1 kg | 137 lb62.1 kg | 179 lb81.2 kg |
| Axle Curl | 42 lb19.1 kg | 63 lb28.6 kg | 88 lb39.9 kg | 117 lb53.1 kg | |
| 230 lb104.3 kg | Barbell Curl | 65 lb29.5 kg | 98 lb44.5 kg | 141 lb64 kg | 184 lb83.5 kg |
| Axle Curl | 43 lb19.5 kg | 65 lb29.5 kg | 91 lb41.3 kg | 120 lb54.4 kg | |
| 240 lb108.9 kg | Barbell Curl | 67 lb30.4 kg | 100 lb45.4 kg | 145 lb65.8 kg | 189 lb85.7 kg |
| Axle Curl | 44 lb20 kg | 67 lb30.4 kg | 93 lb42.2 kg | 124 lb56.2 kg | |
| 250 lb113.4 kg | Barbell Curl | 68 lb30.8 kg | 103 lb46.7 kg | 149 lb67.6 kg | 195 lb88.5 kg |
| Axle Curl | 46 lb20.9 kg | 68 lb30.8 kg | 96 lb43.5 kg | 127 lb57.6 kg | |
| 260 lb117.9 kg | Barbell Curl | 70 lb31.8 kg | 106 lb48.1 kg | 153 lb69.4 kg | 200 lb90.7 kg |
| Axle Curl | 47 lb21.3 kg | 70 lb31.8 kg | 99 lb44.9 kg | 131 lb59.4 kg | |
| 270 lb122.5 kg | Barbell Curl | 72 lb32.7 kg | 109 lb49.4 kg | 157 lb71.2 kg | 205 lb93 kg |
| Axle Curl | 48 lb21.8 kg | 72 lb32.7 kg | 101 lb45.8 kg | 134 lb60.8 kg | |
| 280 lb127 kg | Barbell Curl | 74 lb33.6 kg | 111 lb50.3 kg | 161 lb73 kg | 210 lb95.3 kg |
| Axle Curl | 49 lb22.2 kg | 74 lb33.6 kg | 104 lb47.2 kg | 137 lb62.1 kg | |
| 290 lb131.5 kg | Barbell Curl | 76 lb34.5 kg | 114 lb51.7 kg | 164 lb74.4 kg | 215 lb97.5 kg |
| Axle Curl | 50 lb22.7 kg | 76 lb34.5 kg | 106 lb48.1 kg | 141 lb64 kg | |
| 300 lb136.1 kg | Barbell Curl | 77 lb34.9 kg | 117 lb53.1 kg | 168 lb76.2 kg | 220 lb99.8 kg |
| Axle Curl | 52 lb23.6 kg | 77 lb34.9 kg | 108 lb49 kg | 144 lb65.3 kg |
Women’s Barbell Curl vs Axle Curl 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.
| Bodyweight | Exercise | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 lb45.4 kg | Barbell Curl | 23 lb10.4 kg | 40 lb18.1 kg | 57 lb25.9 kg | 80 lb36.3 kg |
| Axle Curl | 14 lb6.4 kg | 23 lb10.4 kg | 34 lb15.4 kg | 46 lb20.9 kg | |
| 110 lb49.9 kg | Barbell Curl | 24 lb10.9 kg | 43 lb19.5 kg | 61 lb27.7 kg | 85 lb38.6 kg |
| Axle Curl | 15 lb6.8 kg | 24 lb10.9 kg | 37 lb16.8 kg | 49 lb22.2 kg | |
| 120 lb54.4 kg | Barbell Curl | 26 lb11.8 kg | 46 lb20.9 kg | 65 lb29.5 kg | 90 lb40.8 kg |
| Axle Curl | 16 lb7.3 kg | 26 lb11.8 kg | 39 lb17.7 kg | 52 lb23.6 kg | |
| 130 lb59 kg | Barbell Curl | 27 lb12.2 kg | 48 lb21.8 kg | 68 lb30.8 kg | 95 lb43.1 kg |
| Axle Curl | 16 lb7.3 kg | 27 lb12.2 kg | 41 lb18.6 kg | 55 lb24.9 kg | |
| 140 lb63.5 kg | Barbell Curl | 29 lb13.2 kg | 51 lb23.1 kg | 72 lb32.7 kg | 100 lb45.4 kg |
| Axle Curl | 17 lb7.7 kg | 29 lb13.2 kg | 43 lb19.5 kg | 57 lb25.9 kg | |
| 150 lb68 kg | Barbell Curl | 30 lb13.6 kg | 53 lb24 kg | 75 lb34 kg | 105 lb47.6 kg |
| Axle Curl | 18 lb8.2 kg | 30 lb13.6 kg | 45 lb20.4 kg | 60 lb27.2 kg | |
| 160 lb72.6 kg | Barbell Curl | 31 lb14.1 kg | 55 lb24.9 kg | 78 lb35.4 kg | 110 lb49.9 kg |
| Axle Curl | 19 lb8.6 kg | 31 lb14.1 kg | 47 lb21.3 kg | 63 lb28.6 kg | |
| 170 lb77.1 kg | Barbell Curl | 33 lb15 kg | 58 lb26.3 kg | 82 lb37.2 kg | 114 lb51.7 kg |
| Axle Curl | 20 lb9.1 kg | 33 lb15 kg | 49 lb22.2 kg | 65 lb29.5 kg | |
| 180 lb81.6 kg | Barbell Curl | 34 lb15.4 kg | 60 lb27.2 kg | 85 lb38.6 kg | 119 lb54 kg |
| Axle Curl | 20 lb9.1 kg | 34 lb15.4 kg | 51 lb23.1 kg | 68 lb30.8 kg | |
| 190 lb86.2 kg | Barbell Curl | 35 lb15.9 kg | 62 lb28.1 kg | 88 lb39.9 kg | 123 lb55.8 kg |
| Axle Curl | 21 lb9.5 kg | 35 lb15.9 kg | 53 lb24 kg | 70 lb31.8 kg | |
| 200 lb90.7 kg | Barbell Curl | 36 lb16.3 kg | 64 lb29 kg | 91 lb41.3 kg | 127 lb57.6 kg |
| Axle Curl | 22 lb10 kg | 36 lb16.3 kg | 55 lb24.9 kg | 73 lb33.1 kg | |
| 210 lb95.3 kg | Barbell Curl | 38 lb17.2 kg | 66 lb29.9 kg | 94 lb42.6 kg | 131 lb59.4 kg |
| Axle Curl | 23 lb10.4 kg | 38 lb17.2 kg | 56 lb25.4 kg | 75 lb34 kg | |
| 220 lb99.8 kg | Barbell Curl | 39 lb17.7 kg | 68 lb30.8 kg | 97 lb44 kg | 136 lb61.7 kg |
| Axle Curl | 23 lb10.4 kg | 39 lb17.7 kg | 58 lb26.3 kg | 77 lb34.9 kg | |
| 230 lb104.3 kg | Barbell Curl | 40 lb18.1 kg | 70 lb31.8 kg | 100 lb45.4 kg | 140 lb63.5 kg |
| Axle Curl | 24 lb10.9 kg | 40 lb18.1 kg | 60 lb27.2 kg | 80 lb36.3 kg | |
| 240 lb108.9 kg | Barbell Curl | 41 lb18.6 kg | 73 lb33.1 kg | 103 lb46.7 kg | 144 lb65.3 kg |
| Axle Curl | 25 lb11.3 kg | 41 lb18.6 kg | 62 lb28.1 kg | 82 lb37.2 kg |
How Your Barbell Curl vs Axle Curl Result Is Calculated
Each set is converted to an estimated max before the calculator assigns exercise-specific strength levels and compares them.
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)
For the most useful Barbell Curl vs Axle Curl comparison, enter clean, difficult sets performed with the same technique and range of motion you use in training. Lower-rep sets usually require less extrapolation.
2. Find the barbell curl strength level
The barbell curl 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.
The target rises more slowly than bodyweight so larger lifters are expected to curl more total barbell weight without requiring strength to increase pound for pound.
3. Find the axle curl strength level
The standards use the sex-specific thresholds from the individual Axle Curl 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 larger lifters are expected to lift more 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.
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.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Estimate each max | Use the entered weight for 1 rep; for 2–12 reps, keep the lower formula result. |
| Rate the barbell curl | Use total-barbell estimated max and adjust targets to exact bodyweight with the two-thirds rule. |
| Rate the axle curl | Use the exercise-specific estimated max and adjust targets to exact bodyweight with the two-thirds scaling rule. |
| Compare different levels | Name the lower-level lift as the priority. |
| Compare matching levels | Use Balanced unless the difference in progress toward the next level reaches 10 points. |
How Men’s Barbell Curl and Axle Curl Standards Differ
What the men’s data shows:
The standards come closest at 120 lb.
The higher target remains with Barbell Curl for Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Elite throughout the table.
At Elite, the difference is 18.6 kg at 120 lb and 34.5 kg at 300 lb.
How to read this chart: Choose a strength level and follow its line across bodyweight. Values show the Axle Curl standard minus the Barbell Curl standard: zero means equal, above zero means the Axle Curl standard is higher, and below zero means the Barbell Curl standard is higher. Swipe horizontally on mobile. Use the standards table for exact lb/kg targets.
Line chart loading. The standards tables above contain the exact pounds and kilograms.
How Women’s Barbell Curl and Axle Curl Standards Differ
What the women’s data shows:
The standards come closest at 100 lb.
The higher target remains with Barbell Curl for Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Elite throughout the table.
At Elite, the difference is 15.4 kg at 100 lb and 28.1 kg at 240 lb.
How to read this chart: Choose a strength level and follow its line across bodyweight. Values show the Axle Curl standard minus the Barbell Curl standard: zero means equal, above zero means the Axle Curl standard is higher, and below zero means the Barbell Curl standard is higher. Swipe horizontally on mobile. Use the standards table for exact lb/kg targets.
Line chart loading. The standards tables above contain the exact pounds and kilograms.
Barbell Curl and Axle Curl Exercises Used by This Calculator
The calculator expects repeatable barbell curl and axle curl results. Follow each exercise definition below so the two ratings are based on valid tests. Use strict, repeatable Barbell Curl and Axle Curl 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 total barbell load without body English
Enter the bar plus all plates. Keep the torso and upper arms stable, curl with a supinated grip to a clear controlled top, and lower through the same full range. Do not enter per-side plates, cheat curls, EZ-bar or reverse curls, preacher curls, partial reps, hip-driven reps, torso-swing reps, or shoulder-heave reps.
Use the Axle Curl setup and load convention
The total axle weight curled with a strict standing curl. Strict standing axle curl reps. Curl the non-rotating thick axle from arm-extended start to controlled top range and lower under control without hip drive, back swing, shoulder roll, or partial reps. Consistent setup, range, and finish quality across the entered set. No substituted exercise or assisted reps.
Enter one recent Barbell Curl result and one recent Axle Curl result
Use the correct input for each exercise: Total barbell weight and a whole number from 1 to 12 reps for Barbell Curl and Weight used and a whole number from 1 to 12 reps for Axle Curl.
Related Tools
- Barbell Curl (Strict) — View the individual Barbell Curl standards and next strength-level target.
- Axle Curl — View the individual Axle Curl standards and next strength-level target.
- Reverse Barbell Curl — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Dumbbell Hammer Curl — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Cable Biceps Curl — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Weighted Chin-Up — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.