Is getting your one rep max either from a calculator or by doing it yourself self-deception at best? If a car fell on you and you cannot move it off you but your 1RM says you can, who is foolin who? In those strongman events, they move heavy stuff (many times their bodyweight) a long way not just a 1RM. Similarly in Oly lifting/Powerlifting its more than 1RM. What is the use of benching say 300lbs 1RM when you cannot bench your own bodyweight 8-15 times?
Is 1RM Self-Deception at best?
- Thread starter VanDiesel
- Start date
I think this one will give you an idea. Max weights for max growth.
Better quality, same clip
I'm not sure I understand the question. But I assume you mean what's the point of just being really strong and having no muscle endurance for "functional" activities?
1RM tells you how much you can lift in a given exercise for one rep. That's all it tells you.
The reason behind a 1RM is for you to create your training program after that by using %RM for your sets. Why would you rather estimate your 1RM and not "really" go for it in the gym? If you are an athlete and you don't want to risk injury you have no other option than the "estimated" RM.
Id you add "baby" to that, it won't just move, it will friggin fly off your chest!
My point exactly. 1RM is held in high regard in BB while strongman events have a basis in powerlifting, Highland Games Heavy Events and mythological feats of strength. I don't follow the strongman scene closely but I doubt if any bodybuilders perform well in those events. True strength in my view would be functional strength for real life activities versus a theoretical 1RM. A controversial view perhaps but no need to lose sleep over it if you disagree.
But being able to lift heavy things is functional. I can't tell you how much my strength training has helped me for example when I helped a friend carry a bed up some stairs.
I know a lot of people say you need muscle endurance to be functional, but a lot of real life tasks are short and intense and require maximal strength.
Not trying to diss muscle endurance, just saying that it's quite nice to be strong in real life too, not just in the gym.
I know a lot of people say you need muscle endurance to be functional, but a lot of real life tasks are short and intense and require maximal strength.
Not trying to diss muscle endurance, just saying that it's quite nice to be strong in real life too, not just in the gym.
Time for me to split the argument. Charts aren't good for determining 1RMs if you look at your 10 rep, it seems the estimation for 1RM will be a little higher than you can actually do. If you do a double, or a triple and match it up on the chart, it will give you a MUCH better estimate. actually performing 1RMs can be hard on your muscles but doubles or triples are a little better, then if you match them up on the chart, it will give you a better idea of what % of your 1RM you should be lifting for you workouts.
The problem with using a chart to determine your 1RM is that it cannot possibly take into account whether your muscles are dominantly fast or slow twitch.
If you are dominantly slow twitch you can probably do many reps at 90% 1RM while if you are dominantly fast twitch you may only be able to do a few reps at 90% 1RM. So figuring out your routine based on actual movements and maximums is much better than using any chart
If you are dominantly slow twitch you can probably do many reps at 90% 1RM while if you are dominantly fast twitch you may only be able to do a few reps at 90% 1RM. So figuring out your routine based on actual movements and maximums is much better than using any chart
Last edited:
Bodybuilding has nothing to do with 1RMs. Strongman events have nothing to do with powerlifting. Powerlifting is concerned with 1RMs specifically. Highland Games have nothing remotely to do with 1RMs.
Where are you getting this information from? It's so backwards.
1RM's are the be all and end all of everything but it's still an important part of the bigger picture. Every time I have to lift things like my fridge freezer, washing machine etc I'm very glad of the low rep work I do.
Of course endurance is important too, but don't underestimate the importance of brute strength as well
Of course endurance is important too, but don't underestimate the importance of brute strength as well