Is RPE a valuable training tool or a load of shit?

[shabu]

Rip I often see people estimating their RPE (rate of perceived exertion) on various social media sites. 285 x 8 RPE 8.5. The higher the number the harder the set felt.

Is this a something that's worth tracking for intermediates and above or is it just another useless tool designed for social media props? I have personally never tracked this as linear progression is more valuable obviously, but was thinking this could be something cool to add in to the app, especially if it can be tracked automatically with smart watches with heart rate monitors.

[Mark Rippetoe]

If you ask an inexperienced trainee how hard his work set/workout was, against what does he have to measure this subjective assessment? If you propose that he base his next workout on this subjective assessment, what have you done to his next workout? "RPE" is a useful tool for advanced lifters, used in appropriate ways. For novice and intermediate lifters, it is an excellent way to completely derail the process of linear progression, because it doesn't matter how hard the set "felt." Perceptions vary. Stress drives adaptation, if you recover. That is all. Let's leave RPE out of the app, okay? That's Mike Tuschcherer's method, not ours.

[Bill Coyne]

Trainees smart enough to use it probably aren't strong enough to use it effectively, and trainees strong enough to use it probably aren't smart enough to use it effectively.

[Jonathon Sullivan]

-


That is all.

[Goatamon]

-


That is all.

Sully layin down the fuckin law.

In all seriousness though, why do you think it's a load of shit?

[Barry Charles]

Trainees smart enough to use it probably aren't strong enough to use it effectively, and trainees strong enough to use it probably aren't smart enough to use it effectively.

Dr. Feigenbaum is as strong and as smart as they get. He has used RPE training very successfully.

[John Hanley]

Trainees smart enough to use it probably aren't strong enough to use it effectively, and trainees strong enough to use it probably aren't smart enough to use it effectively.

True, true.

All those fuckers in the comp log section using that RPE shit are just a bunch of stupid pussy trend-whores. All of 'em.

Tuchscherer? Please. A snake oil salesman. And stupid. And pussy.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Dr. Feigenbaum is as strong and as smart as they get. He has used RPE training very successfully.

Dr. Feigenbaum is an advanced lifter. Perhaps Bill was being funny.

[Sean Stangl]

It is a useful tool for comparing sub-maximal loading within a specific rep range. It just asks: "How many more reps could you have done?" It takes the old suggestion of "leaving one rep in the tank" and gives it notation. You would use this in the context of a Monthly program to get actionable data on how fatigue is being managed by your program.

Knowing how many more reps you could have done requires you to have experience going close to failure. You gain that experience by doing a Daily or Weekly program. It is useful preparatory work for eventual Monthly programming to consider how many more reps you could have done even if the answer is usually zero.

[stronger]

Tuchscherer? Please. A snake oil salesman. And stupid. And pussy.

How is Mike Tuchscherer a stupid pussy snake oil salesman?