How To Test Your One Rep Max

[BendtheBar]

Some links on how to test your 1RM:

How Do I Find My Max Lifts? - Muscle and Brawn Bodybuilding, Powerlifting and Muscle Building.

For squat and deadlift, after warmup sets, work your way up in weight by 30-35-40 pound increments. If you squat and deadlift under 300 pounds, increments of 25-30 are fine. If you squat and deadlift between 300-400 pounds, use 30 pound increments. If you squat and deadlift over 400 pounds, 30-40 pound increments work better. Use your best judgment. You don’t want to be performing 20 single reps on a max lift day.

If I am going for a 1 rep max (1RM) for squat and deadlifts, I will:

Deadlifts…

135×5 (warmup)
225×3-4 (warmup)
315×1 (warmup)
380×1 (last max -120 pounds)
420×1 (last max -80 pounds)
460×1 (last max -40 pounds)
510 (attempt at new max…if I feel strong, I will go for 525, 535, etc, but I will ALWAYS try to get a new max…if I make it, I will try another attempt with more weight)
520 (if I made the last new 1RM…if I make this one, I will try one last 1 RM)

My squat buildup is the same, although I might do move the increments in the buildup to 30-35 pounds.

For bench
…
135x5x2sets (warmup)
185×3-5 (warmup)
225×1 (max-55)
245×1 (max-35)
265×1 (max-15)
285×1 (new max…last was 280)
…if I make that easily, I will bump up 10 pounds…if not so easily 5…if I make that lift, I will throw on another 5 and make a third go at it

Here is one that is bench specific:

How To Test Your Bench Press One Rep Max - Primal Lifter

[Shadowschmadow]

That's roughly the way I do it. Although, when I get to where I'm peaking I'll make smaller bumps of 10-15lbs. If I miss the lift, I usually take a 5-10 minute break and then retry the lift. Depends on how/why I failed.