Measuring Strength: 1-Rep Maximum Strength

When lifting heavy weights, you should be very careful. You can injure yourself doing this and we generally recommend that you get a personal trainer to work with you especially if you are older or have not worked out much before. When you test your own strength, you may use grip strength and chair stand activities if you are older than 65 and you have struggled with strength. But if you are actively lifting weights already, you can measure your strength using 1-rep maximum strength measurements.

The following exercises are reasonable candidates to measure your 1 rep maximum strength:

1. Leg Press

2. Seated Row

3. Chest Press

4. Bicep or tricep curl

Working with a trainer, measure your 1 rep maximum strength for these exercises and record the values in your notes or field journal.