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Warm-Up Set Calculator

Build a barbell warm-up ramp from your working weight — sets, reps and plates per side rounded to your plate increment.

General fitness information, not medical advice.

About this tool

The Warm-Up Set Calculator turns a single working weight into a full barbell warm-up ramp: the empty bar first, then progressively heavier sets with fewer reps, then your working set. It also shows the plates to load on each side of the bar. Everything is worked out live in your browser and nothing is uploaded.

The ramp starts with the empty bar, then the warm-up sets step up in even percentages of your working weight — from about 40% up to roughly 90% — while the reps drop from around 8 down to 1 (heavier sets get fewer reps). Each weight is rounded to your chosen increment (5 lb or 2.5 kg by default), never dropping below the bar or exceeding your working weight. Plates per side are filled greedily from the biggest plate down (45/35/25/10/5/2.5 lb, or 25/20/15/10/5/2.5/1.25 kg), so each side equals (set weight − bar) ÷ 2.

Use it before heavy squats, bench, deadlift or press to prime the movement without draining energy. This is general fitness information, not medical advice — adjust the number of sets, the bar weight and the increment to match your gym's equipment and how you feel on the day.

Frequently asked questions

How are the warm-up percentages chosen?
After the empty bar, the warm-up sets are spread in even steps from about 40% to 90% of your working weight, with reps falling as the weight rises. More warm-up sets simply means smaller jumps between them.
How is 'plates per side' calculated?
It is (set weight − bar weight) ÷ 2, then filled greedily from the heaviest plate down using standard gym plates (lb or kg). '—' means the bar alone, with no plates needed.
What bar weight and increment should I use?
A standard Olympic bar is 45 lb (about 20 kg); the increment is your smallest pair of plates, usually 5 lb or 2.5 kg. Change both to match your own equipment.
Should I copy this ramp exactly?
Treat it as a sensible template, not a rule. This is general fitness information, not medical advice — add or drop warm-up sets based on the lift, your experience and how your body feels that day.

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