Leg Press (45° Sled) vs Barbell Rack Pull Strength Standards

Leg Press vs Barbell Rack Pull Strength Standards

The paired standards below show what the 45-degree leg press and barbell rack pull each require at the same strength level. They are separate exercise targets rather than a prescribed difference between your lifts.

Select the appropriate sex table and nearest bodyweight, then choose a strength-level column. Values are ordered Leg Press / Barbell Rack Pull in pounds with kilograms underneath. The calculator above handles exact bodyweight and set inputs.

Men’s Leg Press vs Barbell Rack Pull 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 Leg Press vs Barbell Rack Pull 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 Leg Press vs Barbell Rack Pull 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

The entered weight is used directly for one rep. With 2–12 reps, both estimates are compared and the lower value is used.

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

Set quality matters for this Leg Press vs Barbell Rack Pull 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 45-degree leg press strength level

For 45-degree leg press, 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.

Two-thirds scaling raises the target as bodyweight rises while limiting the size advantage that a direct one-to-one adjustment would create.

3. Find the barbell rack pull strength level

The barbell rack pull 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 Leg Press and Barbell Rack Pull Standards Differ

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

How Women’s Leg Press and Barbell Rack Pull Standards Differ

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

Leg Press and Barbell Rack Pull Exercises Used by This Calculator

Valid results depend on using the specified 45-degree leg press and barbell rack pull technique and load convention. Use strict, repeatable Leg Press and Barbell Rack Pull 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 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.

Start motionless from below-knee pins

Enter total barbell weight including the bar. Start every rep motionless on below-knee rack pins, keep the bar close, and finish at full hip-and-knee lockout before resetting under control. Do not use high pins, blocks, straps, bounce, hitching, thigh ramping, segmented lockout, supportive suits, or lockout-only overloads.

Enter one recent Leg Press result and one recent Barbell Rack Pull result

First lift: total plates loaded on the 45-degree sled and 1–12 strict reps. Second lift: total barbell weight and 1–12 strict reps. Pounds or kilograms.

Related Tools

• Leg Press (45° Sled) — View the individual Leg Press standards and next strength-level target.
• Barbell Rack Pull — View the individual Barbell Rack Pull standards and next strength-level target.
• Barbell Deadlift — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Barbell Sumo Deadlift — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Trap Bar Deadlift — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Romanian Deadlift — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.