Leg Press (45° Sled) vs Standing Leg Curl Strength Standards

Leg Press vs Standing Leg Curl Strength Standards

Use these tables to compare the estimated one-rep max required for the 45-degree leg press and standing leg curl 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 / Standing Leg Curl, with pounds above kilograms. Use the calculator for your exact bodyweight and recent sets.

Men’s Leg Press vs Standing Leg Curl 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 Standing Leg Curl 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 Standing Leg Curl 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

When the set contains one rep, the entered load is the estimate. For 2–12 reps, the calculator keeps the less aggressive of the two formula results.

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

Use recent Leg Press and Standing Leg Curl 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.

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 standing leg curl strength level

The standards use the sex-specific strength levels from the individual Standing Leg Curl 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.

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

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.

Treat the result as a training comparison rather than an explanation of why one lift trails. Set quality, fatigue, skill, and training exposure all matter. Age range is recorded anonymously but does not change 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 Standing Leg Curl Standards Differ

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

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

For a useful comparison, perform a strict 45-degree leg press and a strict standing leg curl using the setup and load rules below. Use strict, repeatable Leg Press and Standing Leg Curl 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 one standing-machine load setting on both legs

Enter the selected or loaded machine resistance used for one working leg at a time and total valid reps across both legs combined. Keep the same machine, load, pad setting, range, and strict execution on each leg. Do not count hip swing, torso heave, support-leg assistance, handle-yanking, stack bounce, partial reps, or seated, lying, cable, band, Nordic, or glute-ham substitutions.

Enter one recent Leg Press result and one recent Standing Leg Curl result

First lift: total plates loaded on the 45-degree sled and 1–12 strict reps. Second lift: selected or loaded machine resistance for one working leg 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.
• Standing Leg Curl — View the individual Standing Leg Curl standards and next strength-level target.
• Seated Leg Curl — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Lying Leg Curl — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Leg Extension — 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.