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

Leg Press vs Smith Machine Rack Pull Strength Standards

These bodyweight tables place the 45-degree leg press and smith machine rack pull 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 / Smith Machine Rack Pull, 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 Smith Machine 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 Smith Machine 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 Smith Machine 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)

Use recent Leg Press and Smith Machine Rack Pull 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.

This adjustment expects larger lifters to move more weight, but it does not increase the target pound for pound with bodyweight.

3. Find the smith machine rack pull strength level

For smith machine rack pull, 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

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 Smith Machine Rack Pull Standards Differ

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

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

For a useful comparison, perform a strict 45-degree leg press and a strict smith machine rack pull using the setup and load rules below. Use strict, repeatable Leg Press and Smith Machine 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.

Use the Smith Machine Rack Pull setup and load convention

Use Smith rails vertical within 1 degree and a non-counterbalanced bar. Measure actual unloaded resistance with a calibrated force scale; enter it plus all plates on both sleeves. While the lifter stands upright, set hard safety stops so bar center is 5 cm plus or minus 0.5 cm below the inferior patellar edge. Record platform-to-bar-center height in centimeters and retain it across attempts. Set heel centers at measured hip-joint width and bar vertically over midfoot. Grip immediately outside the legs using pronated or mixed grip consistently. Pull from a motionless stop to simultaneous hip/knee extension with trunk upright and shoulders behind the bar-center line; lower to a complete stop without bouncing, rehooking, or resting above the stops. Count 1–8 reps without stance/grip/height change, stop rebound, hitching, thigh support, hyperextension, asymmetry, or assistance. Belt/chalk allowed; straps/hooks prohibited.

Enter one recent Leg Press result and one recent Smith Machine Rack Pull 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.
• Smith Machine Rack Pull — View the individual Smith Machine 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.
• Romanian 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.
• Trap Bar High Handle Deadlift — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.