Meet Attempt Selector
Plan your opener, second, and third attempts for a powerlifting meet. Get smart attempt selection based on your training maxes with projected totals.
About this calculator
Each lift's three attempts come from fixed percentages of the training max you enter: opener at 90%, second at 96%, third at 102%, each rounded to the nearest 2.5 lb plate increment (round(max x pct / 2.5) x 2.5) so every recommendation lands on a weight you can actually load. Conservative Total sums all three openers, Projected Total sums all three seconds, and Best-Case Total sums all three thirds — none of these totals mixes attempts from different rounds.
Because Deadlift Training Max is entered as the largest of the three training maxes by default, it has the biggest absolute effect on every total: the same percentage change to a bigger number moves the sum by more pounds than an identical percentage change to a smaller one. This is a fixed-percentage template, not a reading of your day-of-meet readiness — competitive lifters routinely deviate from 90/96/102 based on how warm-ups feel, how the first attempt goes, and what total is needed to place, so treat these three numbers as a starting script rather than a rule to follow blindly.
Medical Disclaimer
This calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of results from this tool.
Inputs
Results
Best-Case Total (3rd attempts)
1,065 lb
≈ 6 adults
Projected Total (2nd attempts)
1,002.5 lb
≈ 6 adults
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your Training Maxes for Squat, Bench Press, and Deadlift in pounds.
- Review opener, second, and third attempt recommendations for all three lifts.
- Use the Conservative Total (opener attempts) as your guaranteed minimum.
- Aim for the Projected Total (second attempts) as your realistic meet goal.
- Only attempt the Best-Case Total (third attempts) if all second attempts go smoothly.
How the result changes with Deadlift Training Max
| Deadlift Training Max | Best-Case Total (3rd attempts) | Projected Total (2nd attempts) |
|---|---|---|
| 213 | 850 lb | 800 lb |
| 319 | 957.5 lb | 900 lb |
| 638 | 1,282.5 lb | 1,207.5 lb |
| 1,063 | 1,717.5 lb | 1,615 lb |
What each input means
- Squat Training Max
- Your best squat in training with good form. Not a grinder — use a weight you could hit on any day.
- Bench Training Max
- Your best paused bench press in training. Competition rules require a pause command.
- Deadlift Training Max
- Your best deadlift in training. This is your last lift at the meet — strategy matters most here.
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input ParametersSquat Training Max = 365, Bench Training Max = 255, Deadlift Training Max = 425 = 3 input(s) provided
- Calculate Best-Case TotalBest-Case Total1065 = 1065
- Calculate Projected TotalProjected Total1002.5 = 1002.5
- Calculate Conservative TotalConservative Total940 = 940
- Calculate Squat OpenerSquat Opener = squat.opener327.5 = 327.5
Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators. Built by Paul Gunder, a software engineer, not a licensed financial, medical, or legal professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does raising my Deadlift Training Max move my Projected Total the most?
All three training maxes add to Projected Total through the same 96% second-attempt formula, but Deadlift Training Max is entered as the largest of the three by default, so the same percentage change to it moves more absolute pounds than an equal percentage change to Squat or Bench. Whichever of your three maxes is largest will always have the biggest effect on every total shown here.
Why do the attempt weights always land on multiples of 2.5 lb?
Every attempt percentage (90%, 96%, 102%) is rounded to the nearest 2.5-lb plate increment before it's shown, using round(max x pct / 2.5) x 2.5. That matches how plates actually load a bar in 2.5-lb steps per side, so you never get a recommended attempt like 362.7 lb that no plate combination can produce.
Should I actually attempt exactly 90%, 96%, and 102% of my training max?
Treat these as a starting script, not a rule. The 90/96/102 split is a common conservative-to-aggressive pattern, but real meet strategy also depends on how your opener felt, your weight class competition, and what total you need to place — all factors this calculator has no way to see.
What's the difference between Conservative, Projected, and Best-Case Total?
Conservative Total sums all three lifts' openers (90% attempts), Projected Total sums all three seconds (96% attempts), and Best-Case Total sums all three thirds (102% attempts). Each total only combines attempts from the same round across all three lifts — none of them mixes an opener from one lift with a third attempt from another.
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