1RM & 5/3/1 Calculator
How the 5/3/1 cycle structures load
- Week 1: 65/75/85% of training max for 5/5/5+ reps
- Week 2: 70/80/90% for 3/3/3+ reps
- Week 3: 75/85/95% for 5/3/1+ reps (PR day)
- Week 4: deload 40/50/60% for 5/5/5 reps
"Training max" is 90% of estimated 1RM — Wendler's key insight is that programming off 90% rather than max produces more total volume across the cycle.