Leg Press (45° Sled) vs Single Leg Leg Extension Strength Standards

Leg Press vs Single Leg Leg Extension Strength Standards

Use these tables to compare the estimated one-rep max required for the 45-degree leg press and single leg leg extension to reach the same strength level at each listed bodyweight. The numbers are calculator targets, not a required gap between the two lifts.

Choose the men’s or women’s table, find the closest bodyweight row, and read across to Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, or Elite. Each entry shows Leg Press / Single Leg Leg Extension, with pounds above kilograms. Use the calculator for your exact bodyweight and recent sets.

Men’s Leg Press vs Single Leg Leg Extension 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 Single Leg Leg Extension 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 Single Leg Leg Extension 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

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)

Use recent Leg Press and Single Leg Leg Extension sets with consistent technique and full intended range of motion. Difficult lower-rep sets generally make the estimated max less dependent on extrapolation.

2. 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 exact bodyweight with 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 single leg leg extension strength level

For single leg leg extension, 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.

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

The lift with the lower Beginner-to-Elite rating is the priority. If both ratings match, the calculator requires a 10-point difference in next-level progress before naming a priority; otherwise it reports 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.

The calculator above applies these steps to your exact entries and reports both lift ratings, both next targets, and the final comparison.

How Men’s Leg Press and Single Leg Leg Extension Standards Differ

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

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

Valid results depend on using the specified 45-degree leg press and single leg leg extension technique and load convention. Use strict, repeatable Leg Press and Single Leg Leg Extension 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 Single Leg Leg Extension setup and load convention

Entered load is the selected or loaded machine resistance used for strict one-leg leg extension reps on the same machine setup. Total valid reps across both legs combined. Extend the working knee through a controlled range to a clear knee-extension finish, then return under control to the same start range without bouncing the stack. A valid finish requires controlled knee extension without hip lift, thigh shift, trunk heave, or help from the nonworking leg. Consistent setup, range, and finish quality across the entered set. No substituted exercise or assisted reps.

Enter one recent Leg Press result and one recent Single Leg Leg Extension 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.
• Single Leg Leg Extension — View the individual Single Leg Leg Extension standards and next strength-level target.
• Leg Extension — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Single Leg Machine Leg Press — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Machine Hack Squat — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Split Squat Strength Standards — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.