Why calculate my maximum?

The short answer is:

   'to maximize the effectiveness of an exercise/program'

The long answer:

Your muscles require adequate stress in order to improve in strength, size, power or endurance. This stress is created through training the muscles using specific volumes and loads until the muscle is fatigued in one aspect or another.

The result of fatiguing or overloading the muscles is something called 'overcompensation'. The muscles respond to the overload/fatigue by getting stronger, faster, bigger or with a gain in endurance.

A weight training program consists of a series of exercises with prescribed sets, repetitions and load. The volume of repetitions (sets multiplied by repetitions) determines the training effect (strength, size, etc.). These volumes are most effective when using the maximum load possible for the prescribed volume. This ensures that the muscles reach fatigue/overload and force the muscles to adapt.

Here is an example:

For more information on volumes and loads, see the Training Phases page in our Fitness Information section.

Important: Your body will not adapt when using less than the prescribed loads.

Maximum Calculator

What is a one rep maximum?

Why calculate my maximum?

How to perform a maximum test.

When should I test my one repetition maximum?