Based on the ExRx standards, I’m now past “intermediate” lifter status and barely on my way toward “advanced”. It’s silly to set a goal without a time frame, but I have done just that. I want my combined poundage of the big three lifts (deadlift, squat, bench press) to be over 1000 pounds. Based on my current one-rep maxes (1RM), I’ll probably hit 1000 with the following breakdown:

• Deadlift: 400 pounds
• Squat: 350 pounds
• Bench press: 250 pounds

For reference, I’m currently at:

• Deadlift: 340 pounds
• Squat: 300 pounds
• Bench press: 210 pounds

A combined total of 850 ain’t bad, especially when my total was around 550 less than six months ago.