How many warm-up sets should I do before lifting?

Many programs use 3–5 warm-up sets that ramp from the empty bar toward the working weight. The right number depends on the lift, the program, and how heavy the working weight is relative to the bar.

What is bar-proximity snap in warm-up calculations?

Bar-proximity snap means a calculated warm-up weight below 120% of the bar weight rounds up to the bar weight. This avoids impractically light sets and simplifies plate loading.

Warm-Up Set Calculator — Ramp to Your Working Weight

Enter your working weight, select your program and exercise, and get a structured ramp-up plan with a plates-per-side breakdown.

How It Works

This calculator generates program-specific warm-up ramps for barbell lifts. Each program uses percentages and rep schemes matched to its training approach:

SensAI A 3-step, exercise-specific ramp with bar-proximity snap and automatic duplicate removal.
Starting Strength Begins with two empty-bar sets for most lifts, followed by three progressively heavier warm-up sets.
Greyskull LP A universal 5-set ramp starting at 25% for all exercises.
5×5 Uses exercise-specific ramps and empty-bar starts for upper-body lifts.
Max Single A 6-set ramp designed to peak at a heavy single, progressing from the empty bar to 90%.

Weights are rounded to the nearest plate increment—5 lb or 2.5 kg—so each set can be loaded on a standard barbell.

Why It Matters

A practical warm-up ramp prepares you for heavy work without turning the warm-up into another workout. Use the result as a starting point and adjust for the lift, your experience, and how you feel that day.

Warm-Up Set Calculator

Enter Your Working Weight

How It Works

Why It Matters

Build the workout around your real constraints