Barbell Lunges vs Leg Press Strength Standards
Compare your barbell lunge and leg press against strength standards for your sex and bodyweight. Enter 1–12 reps for estimated one-rep maxes, strength levels, next targets, and priority.
Enter the canonical working weight and a whole number of strict repetitions for each exercise. Pounds and kilograms can be mixed. Testing: a strict barbell lunge from a stable back rack with full controlled depth and total repetitions across both legs; a bilateral 45-degree plate-loaded sled leg press with flat shoulder-width feet, thighs reaching at least parallel to the platform, stable hips and lower back, and full controlled knee extension. Pounds or kilograms. Heavier lift is not automatically the stronger one.
Barbell Lunges vs Leg Press Strength Standards by Bodyweight
Use these tables to compare the estimated one-rep max required for the barbell lunge and 45-degree leg press 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 lunge and 45-degree leg press.
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 Lunge / Leg Press, 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 Lunge vs Leg Press Standards
How to read the table: The first number is Barbell Lunge; the second is Leg Press. 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 | 45 / 168 lb 20.4 / 76.2 kg | 67 / 252 lb 30.4 / 114.3 kg | 95 / 350 lb 43.1 / 158.8 kg | 129 / 448 lb 58.5 / 203.2 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | 47 / 177 lb 21.3 / 80.3 kg | 71 / 266 lb 32.2 / 120.7 kg | 100 / 369 lb 45.4 / 167.4 kg | 136 / 472 lb 61.7 / 214.1 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | 50 / 186 lb 22.7 / 84.4 kg | 74 / 279 lb 33.6 / 126.6 kg | 105 / 388 lb 47.6 / 176 kg | 143 / 496 lb 64.9 / 225 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | 52 / 195 lb 23.6 / 88.5 kg | 78 / 292 lb 35.4 / 132.4 kg | 110 / 406 lb 49.9 / 184.2 kg | 149 / 519 lb 67.6 / 235.4 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | 54 / 203 lb 24.5 / 92.1 kg | 81 / 305 lb 36.7 / 138.3 kg | 115 / 424 lb 52.2 / 192.3 kg | 156 / 542 lb 70.8 / 245.8 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | 57 / 212 lb 25.9 / 96.2 kg | 84 / 318 lb 38.1 / 144.2 kg | 120 / 441 lb 54.4 / 200 kg | 162 / 565 lb 73.5 / 256.3 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | 59 / 220 lb 26.8 / 99.8 kg | 88 / 330 lb 39.9 / 149.7 kg | 124 / 458 lb 56.2 / 207.7 kg | 169 / 586 lb 76.7 / 265.8 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | 61 / 228 lb 27.7 / 103.4 kg | 91 / 342 lb 41.3 / 155.1 kg | 129 / 475 lb 58.5 / 215.5 kg | 175 / 608 lb 79.4 / 275.8 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | 63 / 236 lb 28.6 / 107 kg | 94 / 354 lb 42.6 / 160.6 kg | 133 / 492 lb 60.3 / 223.2 kg | 181 / 629 lb 82.1 / 285.3 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | 65 / 244 lb 29.5 / 110.7 kg | 97 / 366 lb 44 / 166 kg | 138 / 508 lb 62.6 / 230.4 kg | 187 / 650 lb 84.8 / 294.8 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | 67 / 251 lb 30.4 / 113.9 kg | 100 / 377 lb 45.4 / 171 kg | 142 / 524 lb 64.4 / 237.7 kg | 193 / 670 lb 87.5 / 303.9 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | 69 / 259 lb 31.3 / 117.5 kg | 103 / 388 lb 46.7 / 176 kg | 147 / 540 lb 66.7 / 244.9 kg | 199 / 691 lb 90.3 / 313.4 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | 71 / 266 lb 32.2 / 120.7 kg | 106 / 400 lb 48.1 / 181.4 kg | 151 / 555 lb 68.5 / 251.7 kg | 204 / 710 lb 92.5 / 322.1 kg |
| 250 lb 113.4 kg | 73 / 274 lb 33.1 / 124.3 kg | 109 / 411 lb 49.4 / 186.4 kg | 155 / 570 lb 70.3 / 258.5 kg | 210 / 730 lb 95.3 / 331.1 kg |
| 260 lb 117.9 kg | 75 / 281 lb 34 / 127.5 kg | 112 / 422 lb 50.8 / 191.4 kg | 159 / 585 lb 72.1 / 265.4 kg | 216 / 749 lb 98 / 339.7 kg |
| 270 lb 122.5 kg | 77 / 288 lb 34.9 / 130.6 kg | 115 / 432 lb 52.2 / 196 kg | 163 / 600 lb 73.9 / 272.2 kg | 221 / 768 lb 100.2 / 348.4 kg |
| 280 lb 127 kg | 79 / 295 lb 35.8 / 133.8 kg | 118 / 443 lb 53.5 / 200.9 kg | 167 / 615 lb 75.7 / 279 kg | 227 / 787 lb 103 / 357 kg |
| 290 lb 131.5 kg | 81 / 302 lb 36.7 / 137 kg | 121 / 453 lb 54.9 / 205.5 kg | 171 / 630 lb 77.6 / 285.8 kg | 232 / 806 lb 105.2 / 365.6 kg |
| 300 lb 136.1 kg | 83 / 309 lb 37.6 / 140.2 kg | 123 / 464 lb 55.8 / 210.5 kg | 175 / 644 lb 79.4 / 292.1 kg | 237 / 824 lb 107.5 / 373.8 kg |
Women’s Barbell Lunge vs Leg Press Standards
How to read the table: The first number is Barbell Lunge; the second is Leg Press. 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 | 27 / 114 lb 12.2 / 51.7 kg | 41 / 172 lb 18.6 / 78 kg | 60 / 240 lb 27.2 / 108.9 kg | 82 / 309 lb 37.2 / 140.2 kg |
| 110 lb 49.9 kg | 29 / 122 lb 13.2 / 55.3 kg | 44 / 183 lb 20 / 83 kg | 63 / 256 lb 28.6 / 116.1 kg | 88 / 329 lb 39.9 / 149.2 kg |
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | 31 / 129 lb 14.1 / 58.5 kg | 47 / 194 lb 21.3 / 88 kg | 67 / 271 lb 30.4 / 122.9 kg | 93 / 349 lb 42.2 / 158.3 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | 33 / 136 lb 15 / 61.7 kg | 49 / 205 lb 22.2 / 93 kg | 71 / 286 lb 32.2 / 129.7 kg | 98 / 368 lb 44.5 / 166.9 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | 34 / 143 lb 15.4 / 64.9 kg | 52 / 215 lb 23.6 / 97.5 kg | 74 / 301 lb 33.6 / 136.5 kg | 103 / 387 lb 46.7 / 175.5 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | 36 / 150 lb 16.3 / 68 kg | 54 / 225 lb 24.5 / 102.1 kg | 78 / 315 lb 35.4 / 142.9 kg | 108 / 405 lb 49 / 183.7 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | 38 / 157 lb 17.2 / 71.2 kg | 56 / 235 lb 25.4 / 106.6 kg | 81 / 329 lb 36.7 / 149.2 kg | 113 / 423 lb 51.3 / 191.9 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | 39 / 163 lb 17.7 / 73.9 kg | 59 / 245 lb 26.8 / 111.1 kg | 85 / 342 lb 38.6 / 155.1 kg | 117 / 440 lb 53.1 / 199.6 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | 41 / 169 lb 18.6 / 76.7 kg | 61 / 254 lb 27.7 / 115.2 kg | 88 / 356 lb 39.9 / 161.5 kg | 122 / 457 lb 55.3 / 207.3 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | 42 / 176 lb 19.1 / 79.8 kg | 63 / 263 lb 28.6 / 119.3 kg | 91 / 369 lb 41.3 / 167.4 kg | 126 / 474 lb 57.2 / 215 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | 44 / 182 lb 20 / 82.6 kg | 65 / 273 lb 29.5 / 123.8 kg | 94 / 382 lb 42.6 / 173.3 kg | 131 / 491 lb 59.4 / 222.7 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | 45 / 188 lb 20.4 / 85.3 kg | 68 / 282 lb 30.8 / 127.9 kg | 98 / 394 lb 44.5 / 178.7 kg | 135 / 507 lb 61.2 / 230 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | 46 / 194 lb 20.9 / 88 kg | 70 / 290 lb 31.8 / 131.5 kg | 101 / 407 lb 45.8 / 184.6 kg | 139 / 523 lb 63 / 237.2 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | 48 / 199 lb 21.8 / 90.3 kg | 72 / 299 lb 32.7 / 135.6 kg | 104 / 419 lb 47.2 / 190.1 kg | 144 / 539 lb 65.3 / 244.5 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | 49 / 205 lb 22.2 / 93 kg | 74 / 308 lb 33.6 / 139.7 kg | 107 / 431 lb 48.5 / 195.5 kg | 148 / 554 lb 67.1 / 251.3 kg |
How Your Barbell Lunges vs Leg Press 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 lunge strength level
The standards use the sex-specific strength levels from the individual Barbell Lunge 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 heavier lifters are expected to lunge with more total barbell weight without requiring strength to increase pound for pound.
3. Find the 45-degree leg press strength level
The leg press standards use the sex-specific standards from the individual Leg Press 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 heavier lifters are expected to press more sled load 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 lunge | Adjust total-load barbell lunge targets to exact bodyweight with the two-thirds rule. |
| Rate the leg press | Adjust 45-degree leg press targets to exact bodyweight with the 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 Lunges and Leg Press 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 45-degree leg press standard is higher; below zero means the barbell lunge 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.
144.7 → 266.3 kg from 120 to 300 lb bodyweight.
How to read the table: Every number is the 45-degree leg press standard minus the barbell lunge standard. A plus sign means the 45-degree leg press standard is higher. A minus sign means the barbell lunge standard is higher.
| Bodyweight | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | +123 lb +55.8 kg | +185 lb +83.9 kg | +255 lb +115.7 kg | +319 lb +144.7 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | +130 lb +59 kg | +195 lb +88.5 kg | +269 lb +122 kg | +336 lb +152.4 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | +136 lb +61.7 kg | +205 lb +93 kg | +283 lb +128.4 kg | +353 lb +160.1 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | +143 lb +64.9 kg | +214 lb +97 kg | +296 lb +134.3 kg | +370 lb +167.8 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | +149 lb +67.6 kg | +224 lb +101.6 kg | +309 lb +140.1 kg | +386 lb +175 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | +155 lb +70.3 kg | +234 lb +106.1 kg | +321 lb +145.6 kg | +403 lb +182.8 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | +161 lb +73 kg | +242 lb +109.8 kg | +334 lb +151.5 kg | +417 lb +189.1 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | +167 lb +75.7 kg | +251 lb +113.8 kg | +346 lb +157 kg | +433 lb +196.4 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | +173 lb +78.4 kg | +260 lb +118 kg | +359 lb +162.9 kg | +448 lb +203.2 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | +179 lb +81.2 kg | +269 lb +122 kg | +370 lb +167.8 kg | +463 lb +210 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | +184 lb +83.5 kg | +277 lb +125.6 kg | +382 lb +173.3 kg | +477 lb +216.4 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | +190 lb +86.2 kg | +285 lb +129.3 kg | +393 lb +178.2 kg | +492 lb +223.1 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | +195 lb +88.5 kg | +294 lb +133.3 kg | +404 lb +183.2 kg | +506 lb +229.6 kg |
| 250 lb 113.4 kg | +201 lb +91.2 kg | +302 lb +137 kg | +415 lb +188.2 kg | +520 lb +235.8 kg |
| 260 lb 117.9 kg | +206 lb +93.5 kg | +310 lb +140.6 kg | +426 lb +193.3 kg | +533 lb +241.7 kg |
| 270 lb 122.5 kg | +211 lb +95.7 kg | +317 lb +143.8 kg | +437 lb +198.3 kg | +547 lb +248.2 kg |
| 280 lb 127 kg | +216 lb +98 kg | +325 lb +147.4 kg | +448 lb +203.3 kg | +560 lb +254 kg |
| 290 lb 131.5 kg | +221 lb +100.3 kg | +332 lb +150.6 kg | +459 lb +208.2 kg | +574 lb +260.4 kg |
| 300 lb 136.1 kg | +226 lb +102.6 kg | +341 lb +154.7 kg | +469 lb +212.7 kg | +587 lb +266.3 kg |
How Women’s Barbell Lunges and Leg Press Standards Differ
What the women’s data shows:
The standards come closest at 100 lb.
Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Elite at every displayed bodyweight.
103 → 184.2 kg from 100 to 240 lb bodyweight.
How to read the table: Every number is the 45-degree leg press standard minus the barbell lunge standard. A plus sign means the 45-degree leg press standard is higher. A minus sign means the barbell lunge standard is higher.
| Bodyweight | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 lb 45.4 kg | +87 lb +39.5 kg | +131 lb +59.4 kg | +180 lb +81.7 kg | +227 lb +103 kg |
| 110 lb 49.9 kg | +93 lb +42.1 kg | +139 lb +63 kg | +193 lb +87.5 kg | +241 lb +109.3 kg |
| 120 lb 54.4 kg | +98 lb +44.4 kg | +147 lb +66.7 kg | +204 lb +92.5 kg | +256 lb +116.1 kg |
| 130 lb 59 kg | +103 lb +46.7 kg | +156 lb +70.8 kg | +215 lb +97.5 kg | +270 lb +122.4 kg |
| 140 lb 63.5 kg | +109 lb +49.5 kg | +163 lb +73.9 kg | +227 lb +102.9 kg | +284 lb +128.8 kg |
| 150 lb 68 kg | +114 lb +51.7 kg | +171 lb +77.6 kg | +237 lb +107.5 kg | +297 lb +134.7 kg |
| 160 lb 72.6 kg | +119 lb +54 kg | +179 lb +81.2 kg | +248 lb +112.5 kg | +310 lb +140.6 kg |
| 170 lb 77.1 kg | +124 lb +56.2 kg | +186 lb +84.3 kg | +257 lb +116.5 kg | +323 lb +146.5 kg |
| 180 lb 81.6 kg | +128 lb +58.1 kg | +193 lb +87.5 kg | +268 lb +121.6 kg | +335 lb +152 kg |
| 190 lb 86.2 kg | +134 lb +60.7 kg | +200 lb +90.7 kg | +278 lb +126.1 kg | +348 lb +157.8 kg |
| 200 lb 90.7 kg | +138 lb +62.6 kg | +208 lb +94.3 kg | +288 lb +130.7 kg | +360 lb +163.3 kg |
| 210 lb 95.3 kg | +143 lb +64.9 kg | +214 lb +97.1 kg | +296 lb +134.2 kg | +372 lb +168.8 kg |
| 220 lb 99.8 kg | +148 lb +67.1 kg | +220 lb +99.7 kg | +306 lb +138.8 kg | +384 lb +174.2 kg |
| 230 lb 104.3 kg | +151 lb +68.5 kg | +227 lb +102.9 kg | +315 lb +142.9 kg | +395 lb +179.2 kg |
| 240 lb 108.9 kg | +156 lb +70.8 kg | +234 lb +106.1 kg | +324 lb +147 kg | +406 lb +184.2 kg |
Barbell Lunges and Leg Press Exercises Used by This Calculator
This calculator uses a strict back-rack barbell lunge and a bilateral 45-degree sled leg press. Use strict canonical Barbell Lunges and Leg Press tests. Do not mix variations, assistance, partial range, momentum, or different load conventions.
Enter total barbell weight and total reps across both legs
Use a stable back rack, step into each lunge under control, lower until the front thigh reaches at least parallel, and return to full standing. Enter total repetitions across both legs with one consistent lunge direction. Do not count dumbbell, walking, static split-squat, Smith-machine, machine, partial, or assisted reps.
Use a 45-degree plate-loaded sled leg press
Keep both feet flat and approximately shoulder-width, descend until the thighs reach at least parallel to the platform without lifting the hips or rounding the lower back, and press to controlled full knee extension. Do not enter a horizontal, vertical, selectorized, single-leg, high-foot, partial, bounced, or assisted press.
Enter one recent Barbell Lunges result and one recent Leg Press result
Enter the canonical working weight and a whole number of strict repetitions for each exercise. Pounds and kilograms can be mixed.
Related Tools
- Barbell Lunge — View the individual Barbell Lunge standards and next strength-level target.
- Leg Press (45° Sled) — View the individual Leg Press standards and next strength-level target.
- Barbell Box Squats — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Barbell Calf Raises — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Barbell Cossack Squat — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
- Barbell Cyclist Squat — Use this related standards tool to compare a registry-approved neighboring exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.