Muscle Points are Kanvie's simple, unified way of expressing how much actual training stress you applied to your muscles during a workout.

Muscle Points are not a scientific unit. They're a practical training load score inspired by strength-training research, percentage-of-1RM models, and volume-load concepts. Learn more details on how Kanvie estimates 1RM and True Maximum values.

How Muscle Points Are Calculated

Each set contributes a certain number of Muscle Points based on:

1. Exercise type (different muscles receive different percentages)
2. Weight lifted
3. Number of reps
4. The intensity of the set relative to your max
5. Your selected 1RM formula or True Maximum

At the core, every set uses the following formula:

Base Set Formula

**MusclePoints_set = weight x reps x IntensityFactor**

Where:

• weight = the load used for the set
• reps = how many repetitions you completed
• IntensityFactor = how heavy the set is compared to your maximum strength

The Intensity Factor

The Intensity Factor scales each set based on how challenging it is relative to your personal strength.

If you provide a True Maximum (TM):

**IntensityFactor = weight / TrueMaximum**

If you do not provide a True Maximum:

Kanvie estimates your 1RM using the formula you selected:

• Epley
• Brzycki
• Lander
• Lombardi

Then:

IntensityFactor = weight / Estimated1RM

This ensures the score reflects your real ability, not someone else's.

Why Intensity Matters

This approach means:

• Heavier sets give higher Muscle Points

  Pushing closer to your max increases training load per rep.

• High-rep sets still contribute meaningfully

  Volume matters, but not as much as high-intensity work.

• Progress automatically updates your score

  As your Estimated 1RM or True Maximum rises, the same weight becomes “lighter,” slightly reducing points for that load.

  This mirrors real training: as you get stronger, you need more stimulus to achieve the same effect.

How Muscle Points Flow Through Your Diary

Kanvie automatically assigns Muscle Points to each muscle involved in an exercise—based on its primary, secondary, and tertiary muscle groups.

For example, bench press distributes points like:

• Chest → largest share
• Triceps → medium share
• Front delts → small share

You'll find:

• Per-set Muscle Points in the exercise details
• Per-exercise totals in your workout log
• Daily muscle totals inside your diary
• Weekly and monthly trends in your training analytics

This gives you a clean picture of your training exposure over time.

How Kanvie Uses Estimated vs. True Maximum

Kanvie follows a simple hierarchy:

1. If you input a True Maximum, it overrides everything.
2. If you don't, the app picks the highest Estimated 1RM from the sets you logged for that exercise during this exercise session. Learn more.
3. Muscle Points are then computed based on that maximum value.

This ensures your training load is always calculated using the best available data, without requiring extra manual steps.

How to Switch Formulas in Kanvie

You can edit your calorie formula anytime in the same menu where you also adjust your daily calorie budget.

Learn more about adjusting your calorie budget and formula.

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