10/03/2025
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Exercisers like the precision of training with percentages of 1 repetition maximum. But what do you do if that backfires?
Percentages are based on your best lift. But, what if you are overworked, underslept, missed a meal, or feel a cold coming on? Will 85% of 1 RM really feel like 85% on a day when conditions arenât good? If it feels heavier, should you ignore that?
Super coach Mike Tuchsherer popularized the powerlifting use of Rate of Perceived Exertion in place of percentages. RPE has been around since the 1960s. In RPE, a lift that is a 1 RM is considered an RPE 10. If you can do 1 additional rep, it is a 9. If you could have done 2 more reps, thatâs an 8. Anything lighter than an RPE 6 is not considered strength work.
RIR stands for Reps in Reserve. With this method, you estimate (or predict based on past training), how many additional repetitions were possible in a set. Zero RIR is your max. RIR 1 is a set where you could have done 1 more rep. RIR is considered useful to RIR 5.
Both RPE and RIR work best for experienced people. As per the example above, if an athlete were to try a given weight and the RPE was higher than expected (or the RIR lower than expected), they know that a reduction in the load is necessary, at least on that given day.
But what about if you arenât experienced, and donât know how to use RPE or RIR? If you ask a new trainee how many more reps they could do on a hard set, they generally donât know.
At Adapt For Life we ask, âWas that heavy, medium, or light?â. If it was light, we can safely add weight, and repeat the question after the next set. If itâs already medium, that might be it for weight jumps. That may sound primitive compared to RPE, RIR and %, but sometimes itâs the most helpful of all! If you want us to help you get the most out of YOUR program, let us know!