Calculator · Strength

Strength training intensity.

1RM from a working set · phase · sets/reps/rest/load

Plug in a working set, weight you used and reps you got, and we’ll estimate your 1RM (Epley) and prescribe sets, reps, rest, and intensity bands appropriate for your training phase. Switch on auto-regulation if you want to adjust load by RPE for the day.

How it works

One formula for 1RM, two models for prescription.

01

Epley 1RM

1RM = weight × (1 + 0.0333 × reps)

Most accurate at 1–12 reps (the ACE / NSCA validity band). We accept 1–20 to cover endurance-strength work, but flag a warning chip past 12, the estimate typically over-predicts by 5–15% in higher-rep sets. Past 20 reps the estimate is meaningless.

02

NSCA fixed bands

The classical NSCA recommendation: training phase determines load %. General/early prep 60–70% · Hypertrophy 70–80% · Late prep + Competition 80–90% · Transition flexible. Same prescription every session.

03

Auto-regulated (RPE)

Reads how you feel today. Last warm-up RPE ≤ 7 → +5% on the day’s load (you’re fresh). RPE ≥ 9 → −5% (cooked, preserve quality). RPE 8 → keep the standard band. Smarter for in-season blocks.

Phases of training

Five phases. Use the one that matches where you are in your annual plan.

Off-season

General / early specific

Foundation strength, movement patterns. 2–3 sets · 12+ reps · <30 s rest · 60–70% 1RM. Build the base before chasing numbers.

Pre-season

Late specific

Sport-specific strength. 2–6 sets · ≤6 reps · 2–5 min rest · 80–90% 1RM. Heavier loads, fewer reps, longer rests.

Race

Competition

Peak strength + power. 3 sets · ≤6 reps · 2–5 min rest · 80–90% 1RM. Minimal volume, maximal output. Don’t accumulate fatigue.

Recovery

Transition

Active recovery, maintenance, movement quality. 1–2 sets · 8–15 reps · 30–90 s rest · flexible load. Keep moving without accumulating cost.

Tempo & movement speed

Tempo controls the stimulus, same load, different result.

Tempo notation has 4 numbers: Eccentric – Pause – Concentric – Pause (in seconds). X means “as fast as possible.”

  • 3-1-1-0, 3 s lowering, 1 s pause at the bottom, 1 s up, no pause at the top. Hypertrophy bias.
  • 2-0-2-0, even, controlled. General strength / hypertrophy.
  • 2-1-1-1, deliberate, slight pauses. Max strength.
  • 2-0-X-1, controlled lowering, explosive push, brief reset. Power / speed.

Power, simplified: P = (mass × distance) / time. A 60 kg bar moved 0.6 m in 1.2 s vs. 0.6 s, the faster rep produces roughly double the power. Same load, same range. Speed of intent is why athletes train explosive concentrics even at sub-maximal loads.

Exercise library

49 exercises across 7 movement patterns. Tap a category.

Goblet squat

Bend-and-lift

Do Hold a DB / KB at chest, squat with upright torso, drive through heels.

Cue “Chest tall, knees out, drive through heels.”

Front squat

Bend-and-lift

Do Bar on front delts. Maintain upright torso, squat, drive up through mid-foot/heels.

Cue “Elbows high, chest up, push through heels.”

Back squat

Bend-and-lift

Do Bar on upper traps. Sit back/down, knees track toes. Drive up through heels.

Cue “Hips back, knees tracking, spine neutral.”

Trap-bar deadlift

Bend-and-lift

Do Stand inside trap bar. Bend, grab, drive to stand, chest up.

Cue “Chest proud, push through legs, hips forward.”

Sumo deadlift

Bend-and-lift

Do Wide stance, toes out. Grip inside thighs, drive up keeping knees out.

Cue “Wide stance, knees out, strong hip drive.”

Medicine ball toss

Bend-and-lift · power

Do Squat quickly, explode up, toss the ball.

Cue “Squat fast, explode, follow through.”

Jump squats

Bend-and-lift · plyo

Do Lower to squat, jump explosively, land softly.

Cue “Jump high, land soft.”

Romanian deadlift (RDL)

Hinge

Do Slight knee bend, hinge at hips, lower to mid-shin, stand by extending hips.

Cue “Hips back, back straight, feel hamstrings.”

Kettlebell swing

Hinge · power

Do Hike bell, snap hips to chest height.

Cue “Hinge, snap, squeeze glutes.”

Good morning

Hinge

Do Bar on traps, hinge forward, then stand.

Cue “Chest proud, hinge, control lower.”

Single-leg RDL

Hinge · single-leg

Do Balance, hinge forward flat back, return by extending hip.

Cue “Balance, hinge, square hips.”

Hip thrust

Hinge · glute

Do Upper back on bench, drive hips up.

Cue “Chin tucked, hips up, squeeze.”

Cable / band pull-through

Hinge

Do Hinge forward, then extend hips forcefully.

Cue “Neutral spine, drive through glutes.”

45° back extension

Hinge

Do Flex at hips, extend to align body.

Cue “Control down, squeeze at top.”

Push-ups

Push · bodyweight

Do Hands slightly wider than shoulders, lower chest, push up.

Cue “Core tight, elbows tucked, press.”

Bench press

Horizontal push

Do Lower bar to chest, drive up.

Cue “Shoulders down, chest up, smooth.”

Overhead press

Vertical push

Do Press overhead, lock out.

Cue “Core braced, straight path.”

Incline DB press

Push · upper chest

Do Press up/in, lower controlled.

Cue “Control down, chest up.”

Dips

Vertical push

Do Lower to ~90°, press back up.

Cue “Torso upright, elbows close.”

Landmine press

Angled push

Do Press forward/up in arc.

Cue “Slight lean, drive up.”

Plyo push-ups

Push · plyo

Do Explode off ground, land softly.

Cue “Explode, soft landing.”

Pull-ups / chin-ups

Vertical pull

Do Pull chest to bar, control down.

Cue “Shoulders down, elbows drive.”

Single-arm DB row

Horizontal pull

Do Row dumbbell by driving elbow to hip.

Cue “Back neutral, squeeze scap.”

Seated cable row

Horizontal pull

Do Pull to abdomen upright.

Cue “Chest up, smooth pull.”

TRX / inverted row

Bodyweight pull

Do Pull chest to handles, plank body.

Cue “Plank, elbows close.”

Face pull

Upper back / shoulders

Do Pull to forehead, elbows high.

Cue “Lead elbows, retract.”

Bent-over row

Horizontal pull

Do Hinge, pull to lower chest.

Cue “Hinge set, avoid rounding.”

Inverted row (under bar)

Bodyweight pull

Do Pull chest to bar, control down.

Cue “Core tight, smooth.”

Russian twists

Rotational core

Do Rotate torso side-to-side.

Cue “Twist from core, controlled.”

Cable woodchops

Diagonal rotation

Do Pull diagonally down, pivot feet.

Cue “Rotate hips, fluid pull.”

Pallof press w/ rotation

Anti-rotation + rotation

Do Press out, rotate slightly, resist pull.

Cue “Brace abs, control.”

Rotational med-ball throw

Power

Do Load hips, rotate and throw.

Cue “Twist from hips, snap.”

Windmill

Rotation + hinge

Do KB overhead, hinge / rotate.

Cue “Look up, hinge sideways.”

Landmine twist

Core / rotation

Do Arc the bar side-to-side.

Cue “Arms straight, rotate hips.”

Standing cable / band rotation

Core / rotation

Do Rotate upper body, stable base.

Cue “Engage core, fluid rotate.”

Single-leg RDL

Hinge · single-leg

Do Balance, hinge, return.

Cue “Hips level, flat back.”

Bulgarian split squat

Single-leg squat

Do Rear foot elevated, drop hips, drive up.

Cue “Chest tall, knee stable.”

Step-ups

Single-leg

Do Step on box, control down.

Cue “Stable knee, heel drive.”

Pistol squat

Single-leg · advanced

Do Squat on one leg, other leg extended.

Cue “Balance centered, control.”

Reverse lunge

Lunge

Do Step back, drop knee, step forward.

Cue “Knee aligned, firm push.”

Skater squat

Single-leg

Do Lower rear knee behind, stand up.

Cue “Control, torso upright.”

Lateral lunge

Lateral single-leg

Do Step sideways, push back up.

Cue “Hips back, strong foot.”

Plank

Core stability

Do Hold a straight-line posture.

Cue “Tight core, neutral spine.”

Side plank

Lateral stability

Do Hips up, body straight.

Cue “Stack shoulders, hips high.”

Dead bug

Anti-extension

Do Lower opposite arm/leg, back flat.

Cue “Back pressed down, slow.”

Bird dog

Core / stability

Do Extend opposite arm/leg, switch.

Cue “Stable trunk, avoid rotation.”

Single-leg glute bridge

Hip stability

Do Drive hips up, pelvis level.

Cue “Even lift, squeeze glutes.”

Crab walk

Shoulder / hip stability

Do Hips up, walk forward / back.

Cue “Hips up, shoulders back.”

Lateral band walk

Hip stability

Do Band tension, step laterally.

Cue “Knees stable, tension on band.”

Coach note

Strength is a small input that returns big interest.

Most endurance athletes under-strength-train and over-cardio. Two 30-minute sessions a week, year-round, returns more than the third easy run you cut to fit them in. The gains compound: better economy, fewer injuries, more durable late-race watts.

  • Start with patterns, not numbers, goblet squat, RDL, push-up, row, plank. Movement quality before load.
  • 2–3 weeks of general/early prep first, then progress to hypertrophy. Don’t skip the on-ramp.
  • Lift heavy in the off-season, lift to maintain in-season. The race-week strength session is 1 set × 5 reps × 80–85%, not failure work.
  • Auto-regulate when training load is high, the RPE model exists because hard endurance days fatigue you for hard strength days.

Want a strength plan built for your sport?

Coaching gets you a periodized strength plan integrated with your endurance training, right intensities, right volume, right phasing. The block that doesn’t cost your run pace.

Spotted a bug or want a feature? Email info@yousuli.co.