Barbell Curl vs Cable Preacher Curl Strength Standards
Compare your barbell curl and cable preacher curl against strength standards for your sex and bodyweight. Enter 1–12 reps for estimated one-rep maxes, strength levels, next targets, and priority.
Use each exercise's canonical input: Total barbell weight and a whole number from 1 to 12 reps for Barbell Curl and Displayed machine or cable resistance and a whole number from 1 to 12 reps for Cable Preacher Curl. Testing: a standing barbell curl with a supinated grip, stable torso and upper arms, full controlled bottom range, and a clear top curl; the selected cable resistance used with the approved preacher support and curl attachment. Pounds or kilograms. Heavier lift is not automatically the stronger one.
Barbell Curl vs Cable Preacher Curl Strength Standards by Bodyweight
Use these tables to compare the estimated one-rep max required for the barbell curl and cable preacher curl to reach the same strength level at each listed bodyweight. They show the targets used by the calculator—not a required difference between your barbell curl and cable preacher curl.
Choose the men’s or women’s table, find your bodyweight or the closest listed row, then read across to Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, or Elite. Every entry shows Barbell Curl / Cable Preacher Curl, with pounds first and kilograms underneath. For a result based on your exact bodyweight and recent sets, use the calculator above; you do not need to test either true one-rep max.
Men’s Barbell Curl vs Cable Preacher Curl Standards
How to read the table: The first number is Barbell Curl; the second is Cable Preacher Curl. Each number is the lowest estimated one-rep max needed to reach that strength level. Scroll horizontally on smaller screens.
| Bodyweight | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | 42 / 22 lb 19.1 / 10 kg | 63 / 34 lb 28.6 / 15.4 kg | 91 / 48 lb 41.3 / 21.8 kg | 119 / 64 lb 54 / 29 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | 44 / 23 lb 20 / 10.4 kg | 67 / 36 lb 30.4 / 16.3 kg | 96 / 50 lb 43.5 / 22.7 kg | 126 / 68 lb 57.2 / 30.8 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | 47 / 24 lb 21.3 / 10.9 kg | 70 / 38 lb 31.8 / 17.2 kg | 101 / 53 lb 45.8 / 24 kg | 132 / 71 lb 59.9 / 32.2 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | 49 / 26 lb 22.2 / 11.8 kg | 73 / 39 lb 33.1 / 17.7 kg | 106 / 56 lb 48.1 / 25.4 kg | 138 / 74 lb 62.6 / 33.6 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | 51 / 27 lb 23.1 / 12.2 kg | 77 / 41 lb 34.9 / 18.6 kg | 111 / 58 lb 50.3 / 26.3 kg | 144 / 78 lb 65.3 / 35.4 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | 53 / 28 lb 24 / 12.7 kg | 80 / 43 lb 36.3 / 19.5 kg | 115 / 60 lb 52.2 / 27.2 kg | 150 / 81 lb 68 / 36.7 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | 55 / 29 lb 24.9 / 13.2 kg | 83 / 44 lb 37.6 / 20 kg | 120 / 63 lb 54.4 / 28.6 kg | 156 / 84 lb 70.8 / 38.1 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | 57 / 30 lb 25.9 / 13.6 kg | 86 / 46 lb 39 / 20.9 kg | 124 / 65 lb 56.2 / 29.5 kg | 162 / 87 lb 73.5 / 39.5 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | 59 / 31 lb 26.8 / 14.1 kg | 89 / 48 lb 40.4 / 21.8 kg | 128 / 67 lb 58.1 / 30.4 kg | 168 / 90 lb 76.2 / 40.8 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | 61 / 32 lb 27.7 / 14.5 kg | 92 / 49 lb 41.7 / 22.2 kg | 133 / 69 lb 60.3 / 31.3 kg | 173 / 93 lb 78.5 / 42.2 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | 63 / 33 lb 28.6 / 15 kg | 95 / 51 lb 43.1 / 23.1 kg | 137 / 72 lb 62.1 / 32.7 kg | 179 / 96 lb 81.2 / 43.5 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | 65 / 34 lb 29.5 / 15.4 kg | 98 / 52 lb 44.5 / 23.6 kg | 141 / 74 lb 64 / 33.6 kg | 184 / 99 lb 83.5 / 44.9 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | 67 / 35 lb 30.4 / 15.9 kg | 100 / 54 lb 45.4 / 24.5 kg | 145 / 76 lb 65.8 / 34.5 kg | 189 / 102 lb 85.7 / 46.3 kg |
| 250 lb 113.4 kg | 68 / 36 lb 30.8 / 16.3 kg | 103 / 55 lb 46.7 / 24.9 kg | 149 / 78 lb 67.6 / 35.4 kg | 195 / 104 lb 88.5 / 47.2 kg |
| 260 lb 117.9 kg | 70 / 37 lb 31.8 / 16.8 kg | 106 / 57 lb 48.1 / 25.9 kg | 153 / 80 lb 69.4 / 36.3 kg | 200 / 107 lb 90.7 / 48.5 kg |
| 270 lb 122.5 kg | 72 / 38 lb 32.7 / 17.2 kg | 109 / 58 lb 49.4 / 26.3 kg | 157 / 82 lb 71.2 / 37.2 kg | 205 / 110 lb 93 / 49.9 kg |
| 280 lb 127 kg | 74 / 39 lb 33.6 / 17.7 kg | 111 / 60 lb 50.3 / 27.2 kg | 161 / 84 lb 73 / 38.1 kg | 210 / 113 lb 95.3 / 51.3 kg |
| 290 lb 131.5 kg | 76 / 40 lb 34.5 / 18.1 kg | 114 / 61 lb 51.7 / 27.7 kg | 164 / 86 lb 74.4 / 39 kg | 215 / 115 lb 97.5 / 52.2 kg |
| 300 lb 136.1 kg | 77 / 41 lb 34.9 / 18.6 kg | 117 / 62 lb 53.1 / 28.1 kg | 168 / 88 lb 76.2 / 39.9 kg | 220 / 118 lb 99.8 / 53.5 kg |
Women’s Barbell Curl vs Cable Preacher Curl Standards
How to read the table: The first number is Barbell Curl; the second is Cable Preacher Curl. Each number is the lowest estimated one-rep max needed to reach that strength level. Scroll horizontally on smaller screens.
| Bodyweight | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 lb 45.4 kg | 23 / 11 lb 10.4 / 5 kg | 40 / 20 lb 18.1 / 9.1 kg | 57 / 30 lb 25.9 / 13.6 kg | 80 / 41 lb 36.3 / 18.6 kg |
| 110 lb 49.9 kg | 24 / 12 lb 10.9 / 5.4 kg | 43 / 21 lb 19.5 / 9.5 kg | 61 / 32 lb 27.7 / 14.5 kg | 85 / 44 lb 38.6 / 20 kg |
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | 26 / 13 lb 11.8 / 5.9 kg | 46 / 22 lb 20.9 / 10 kg | 65 / 34 lb 29.5 / 15.4 kg | 90 / 47 lb 40.8 / 21.3 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | 27 / 14 lb 12.2 / 6.4 kg | 48 / 24 lb 21.8 / 10.9 kg | 68 / 35 lb 30.8 / 15.9 kg | 95 / 49 lb 43.1 / 22.2 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | 29 / 14 lb 13.2 / 6.4 kg | 51 / 25 lb 23.1 / 11.3 kg | 72 / 37 lb 32.7 / 16.8 kg | 100 / 52 lb 45.4 / 23.6 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | 30 / 15 lb 13.6 / 6.8 kg | 53 / 26 lb 24 / 11.8 kg | 75 / 39 lb 34 / 17.7 kg | 105 / 54 lb 47.6 / 24.5 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | 31 / 16 lb 14.1 / 7.3 kg | 55 / 27 lb 24.9 / 12.2 kg | 78 / 41 lb 35.4 / 18.6 kg | 110 / 56 lb 49.9 / 25.4 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | 33 / 16 lb 15 / 7.3 kg | 58 / 28 lb 26.3 / 12.7 kg | 82 / 42 lb 37.2 / 19.1 kg | 114 / 59 lb 51.7 / 26.8 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | 34 / 17 lb 15.4 / 7.7 kg | 60 / 29 lb 27.2 / 13.2 kg | 85 / 44 lb 38.6 / 20 kg | 119 / 61 lb 54 / 27.7 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | 35 / 18 lb 15.9 / 8.2 kg | 62 / 30 lb 28.1 / 13.6 kg | 88 / 46 lb 39.9 / 20.9 kg | 123 / 63 lb 55.8 / 28.6 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | 36 / 18 lb 16.3 / 8.2 kg | 64 / 31 lb 29 / 14.1 kg | 91 / 47 lb 41.3 / 21.3 kg | 127 / 65 lb 57.6 / 29.5 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | 38 / 19 lb 17.2 / 8.6 kg | 66 / 33 lb 29.9 / 15 kg | 94 / 49 lb 42.6 / 22.2 kg | 131 / 68 lb 59.4 / 30.8 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | 39 / 19 lb 17.7 / 8.6 kg | 68 / 34 lb 30.8 / 15.4 kg | 97 / 50 lb 44 / 22.7 kg | 136 / 70 lb 61.7 / 31.8 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | 40 / 20 lb 18.1 / 9.1 kg | 70 / 35 lb 31.8 / 15.9 kg | 100 / 52 lb 45.4 / 23.6 kg | 140 / 72 lb 63.5 / 32.7 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | 41 / 21 lb 18.6 / 9.5 kg | 73 / 36 lb 33.1 / 16.3 kg | 103 / 53 lb 46.7 / 24 kg | 144 / 74 lb 65.3 / 33.6 kg |
How Your Barbell Curl vs Cable Preacher Curl Result Is Calculated
The calculator estimates each max, rates it against the standards for that exercise and bodyweight, then compares the two ratings. Here is the complete process.
1. Estimate a one-rep max from each set
For one rep, it uses the weight entered. For 2–12 reps, it runs both formulas and keeps the lower, less aggressive estimate.
- Epley: weight × (1 + reps ÷ 30)
- Brzycki: weight × 36 ÷ (37 − reps)
A published back-squat study supports estimated-max prediction under its study conditions. It does not independently validate every exercise or population used by this comparison. Estimates are more dependable from clean, difficult, lower-rep sets. See the Back-squat formula validation study and Published discussion of back-squat one-rep-max prediction research.
2. Find the barbell curl strength level
The standards use the sex-specific strict barbell curl thresholds from the individual tool. Targets begin at 190 lb for men and 150 lb for women, then adjust to your exact bodyweight: 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 cable preacher curl strength level
The standards use the sex-specific thresholds from the individual Cable Preacher Curl tool. Targets begin at 190 lb for men and 150 lb for women, then adjust to your exact bodyweight: 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
Each max receives a level from Beginner through Elite. The lower-level lift is the priority. If the levels match, a priority appears only when one lift is at least 10 points farther from its next level. Otherwise, the result is Balanced.
The result shows which lift ranks lower, not why. Technique, fatigue, training history, and set quality can affect it. Age range is recorded anonymously but does not change the 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 cable preacher curl | Use the canonical estimated max and adjust targets to exact bodyweight with the approved two-thirds 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. |
Use the calculator above to see both estimated maxes, strength levels, the priority or Balanced result, and both next-level targets.
How Men’s Barbell Curl and Cable Preacher Curl Standards Differ
How to read both charts: Choose a strength level, find bodyweight along the bottom, and follow that level’s line. Zero means the two standards are equal. Above zero means the cable preacher curl standard is higher; below zero means the barbell curl standard is higher. On a phone, swipe the chart left and right to inspect the full-size lines and labels. The tables provide the exact pounds and kilograms.
What the men’s data shows:
The standards come closest at 120 lb.
Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Elite at every displayed bodyweight.
25 → 46.3 kg from 120 to 300 lb bodyweight.
How to read the table: Every number is the cable preacher curl standard minus the barbell curl standard. A plus sign means the cable preacher curl standard is higher. A minus sign means the barbell curl standard is higher.
| Bodyweight | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | −20 lb −9.1 kg | −29 lb −13.2 kg | −43 lb −19.5 kg | −55 lb −25 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | −21 lb −9.6 kg | −31 lb −14.1 kg | −46 lb −20.8 kg | −58 lb −26.4 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | −23 lb −10.4 kg | −32 lb −14.6 kg | −48 lb −21.8 kg | −61 lb −27.7 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | −23 lb −10.4 kg | −34 lb −15.4 kg | −50 lb −22.7 kg | −64 lb −29 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | −24 lb −10.9 kg | −36 lb −16.3 kg | −53 lb −24 kg | −66 lb −29.9 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | −25 lb −11.3 kg | −37 lb −16.8 kg | −55 lb −25 kg | −69 lb −31.3 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | −26 lb −11.7 kg | −39 lb −17.6 kg | −57 lb −25.8 kg | −72 lb −32.7 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | −27 lb −12.3 kg | −40 lb −18.1 kg | −59 lb −26.7 kg | −75 lb −34 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | −28 lb −12.7 kg | −41 lb −18.6 kg | −61 lb −27.7 kg | −78 lb −35.4 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | −29 lb −13.2 kg | −43 lb −19.5 kg | −64 lb −29 kg | −80 lb −36.3 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | −30 lb −13.6 kg | −44 lb −20 kg | −65 lb −29.4 kg | −83 lb −37.7 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | −31 lb −14.1 kg | −46 lb −20.9 kg | −67 lb −30.4 kg | −85 lb −38.6 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | −32 lb −14.5 kg | −46 lb −20.9 kg | −69 lb −31.3 kg | −87 lb −39.4 kg |
| 250 lb 113.4 kg | −32 lb −14.5 kg | −48 lb −21.8 kg | −71 lb −32.2 kg | −91 lb −41.3 kg |
| 260 lb 117.9 kg | −33 lb −15 kg | −49 lb −22.2 kg | −73 lb −33.1 kg | −93 lb −42.2 kg |
| 270 lb 122.5 kg | −34 lb −15.5 kg | −51 lb −23.1 kg | −75 lb −34 kg | −95 lb −43.1 kg |
| 280 lb 127 kg | −35 lb −15.9 kg | −51 lb −23.1 kg | −77 lb −34.9 kg | −97 lb −44 kg |
| 290 lb 131.5 kg | −36 lb −16.4 kg | −53 lb −24 kg | −78 lb −35.4 kg | −100 lb −45.3 kg |
| 300 lb 136.1 kg | −36 lb −16.3 kg | −55 lb −25 kg | −80 lb −36.3 kg | −102 lb −46.3 kg |
How Women’s Barbell Curl and Cable Preacher Curl Standards Differ
What the women’s data shows:
The standards come closest at 100 lb.
Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Elite at every displayed bodyweight.
17.7 → 31.7 kg from 100 to 240 lb bodyweight.
How to read the table: Every number is the cable preacher curl standard minus the barbell curl standard. A plus sign means the cable preacher curl standard is higher. A minus sign means the barbell curl standard is higher.
| Bodyweight | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 lb 45.4 kg | −12 lb −5.4 kg | −20 lb −9 kg | −27 lb −12.3 kg | −39 lb −17.7 kg |
| 110 lb 49.9 kg | −12 lb −5.5 kg | −22 lb −10 kg | −29 lb −13.2 kg | −41 lb −18.6 kg |
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | −13 lb −5.9 kg | −24 lb −10.9 kg | −31 lb −14.1 kg | −43 lb −19.5 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | −13 lb −5.8 kg | −24 lb −10.9 kg | −33 lb −14.9 kg | −46 lb −20.9 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | −15 lb −6.8 kg | −26 lb −11.8 kg | −35 lb −15.9 kg | −48 lb −21.8 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | −15 lb −6.8 kg | −27 lb −12.2 kg | −36 lb −16.3 kg | −51 lb −23.1 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | −15 lb −6.8 kg | −28 lb −12.7 kg | −37 lb −16.8 kg | −54 lb −24.5 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | −17 lb −7.7 kg | −30 lb −13.6 kg | −40 lb −18.1 kg | −55 lb −24.9 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | −17 lb −7.7 kg | −31 lb −14 kg | −41 lb −18.6 kg | −58 lb −26.3 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | −17 lb −7.7 kg | −32 lb −14.5 kg | −42 lb −19 kg | −60 lb −27.2 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | −18 lb −8.1 kg | −33 lb −14.9 kg | −44 lb −20 kg | −62 lb −28.1 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | −19 lb −8.6 kg | −33 lb −14.9 kg | −45 lb −20.4 kg | −63 lb −28.6 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | −20 lb −9.1 kg | −34 lb −15.4 kg | −47 lb −21.3 kg | −66 lb −29.9 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | −20 lb −9 kg | −35 lb −15.9 kg | −48 lb −21.8 kg | −68 lb −30.8 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | −20 lb −9.1 kg | −37 lb −16.8 kg | −50 lb −22.7 kg | −70 lb −31.7 kg |
Barbell Curl and Cable Preacher Curl Exercises Used by This Calculator
This calculator uses a strict standing barbell curl and a strict cable preacher curl test. Use strict canonical Barbell Curl and Cable Preacher Curl tests. 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 canonical Cable Preacher Curl setup and load convention
the selected cable resistance used with the approved preacher support and curl attachment valid Cable Preacher Curl reps curl from the supported-arm bottom range to the approved top range without shoulder lift, pad slide, wrist collapse, or stack bounce 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 Cable Preacher Curl result
Use each exercise’s canonical input: Total barbell weight and a whole number from 1 to 12 reps for Barbell Curl and Displayed machine or cable resistance and a whole number from 1 to 12 reps for Cable Preacher Curl.
Related Tools
- Barbell Curl (Strict) — View the individual Barbell Curl standards and next strength-level target.
- Cable Preacher Curl — View the individual Cable Preacher Curl standards and next strength-level target.
- Reverse Barbell Curl — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Dumbbell Hammer Curl — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Cable Biceps Curl — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Weighted Chin-Up — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.