Leg Press (45° Sled) vs Low-Bar Back Squat Strength Standards

Leg Press vs Low-Bar Back Squat Strength Standards

These bodyweight tables place the 45-degree leg press and low-bar back squat 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 Leg Press / Low-Bar Back Squat, pounds first and kilograms second. Enter your own sets above for exact ratings without testing a true one-rep max.

Men’s Leg Press vs Low-Bar Back Squat 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 Low-Bar Back Squat 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 Low-Bar Back Squat 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)

For the most useful Leg Press vs Low-Bar Back Squat 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 45-degree leg press strength level

The 45-degree leg press 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 heavier lifters are expected to press more sled load without requiring strength to increase pound for pound.

3. Find the low-bar back squat strength level

For low-bar 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.

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

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.

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.

Enter both sets above to see the estimated maxes, assigned levels, next-level targets, and comparison result.

How Men’s Leg Press and Low-Bar Back Squat Standards Differ

How to read this chart: Choose a strength level and follow its line across bodyweight. Values show the Low-Bar Back Squat standard minus the Leg Press standard: zero means equal, above zero means the Low-Bar Back Squat 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 Low-Bar Back Squat Standards Differ

How to read this chart: Choose a strength level and follow its line across bodyweight. Values show the Low-Bar Back Squat standard minus the Leg Press standard: zero means equal, above zero means the Low-Bar Back Squat 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 Low-Bar Back Squat Exercises Used by This Calculator

Compare like-for-like attempts by keeping the 45-degree leg press and low-bar back squat setup consistent with their individual rules. Use strict, repeatable Leg Press and Low-Bar Back Squat 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.

Use the Low-Bar Back Squat setup and load convention

Straight bar fixed below the scapular spine. Bar supported by the posterior-deltoid shelf. Total load includes bar and all plates. Heel centers no wider than hip-joint width. Toe-out is allowed within the heel boundary. Hip crease descends below the knee top. Feet remain planted throughout every rep. Finish with full hip and knee extension. No assistance, bounce, or good-morning recovery.

Enter one recent Leg Press result and one recent Low-Bar Back Squat result

First lift: total plates loaded on the 45-degree sled and 1–12 strict reps. Second lift: weight used 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.
• Low-Bar Back Squat — View the individual Low-Bar Back Squat standards and next strength-level target.
• Barbell Back Squat (High-Bar, Full Depth) — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Barbell Sumo Squat — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Barbell Tempo Squat — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Barbell Pin Squat — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.