Use a Leg Extension Test to Assess Lower-Body Strength

Use a leg extension test as a standardized, lower-skill alternative to a back squat. A simple benchmark is a bilateral one-rep max equal to body weight; after age 40, the target can decline about 10% per decade. If uncomfortable testing a true one-rep max, use a near-max load for as many reps as possible, keeping total reps under five, then use an online calculator to estimate one-rep max; accuracy declines once repetitions exceed about five.