Hello!
Basically you just want your final set to be at the RPE that’s prescribed in the book. If you’re doing a 5×5 and around set 3 it feels challenging, you feel like if you increase the weight you’ll put forth more effort than you should be, but if you keep the weight the same by set 5 you’ll be right on the money, don’t increase the weight. On the other hand, if you’ve got some extra in the tank and know that if you bumped it up a little for the final set it’ll be the effort you’re supposed to be at, do that…. Part of it can depend on where you are in the program, it’s usually easier with a 5×5 RPE 6 to keep the weight in set 1 to be relatively similar to set 5, whereas 2×2 RPE 8 would demand more warming up, and your only be able to hit that weight at that effort for 1, maybe 2 sets max.
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Tucker Loken is a Bodybuilder turned Powerlifter turned Powerbuilder from Eugene, Oregon. He did his first bodybuilding show when he was still in high school, and has been training male and female competitors for shows since 2011. Several years ago he decided to take a step away from his normal routine and learn how to get strong. He worked with Brian for 9 months, added 200 pounds to his raw total and qualified as an Elite lifter in the 220 pound weight class. He returned back to bodybuilding much stronger and now incorporates the 10/20/Life philosophy into his training to keep himself healthy and making continual progress in the Big 3 as well as adding size and shaping his physique. Now part of Team PRS, he brings his unique expertise of nutritional knowledge and how to balance Bodybuilding with Powerlifting to help athletes achieve their best potential.
