Strategy for testing lifts

[BryanW]

Hi Andy. This may sound stupid, but here goes:

I'm at the end of the Garage Gym Warrior program and will test all lifts next week.

What is a good test strategy to maximize a potential new PR, but being conservative enough to ensure a new PR.

For example, should I do a single at 90%, then jump to 105%?

[Andy Baker (KSC)]

I always aim for the most conservative PR possible as my first attempt. So if my best was was 300 lbs I'd aim for 305. Based on how that felt I'd make may 1-3 more attempts to try and get a maximum.

The reason for this is because if you overshoot and have a miss, then sometimes you are fucked. So if I get overzealous and try, say 325 and miss it, then I just shot my wad potentially. I may go back and try 305 but it might not go up if I fried myself. Missed reps, especially if you strain against them for a long time are very taxing on the CNS

And my last warm up set is a single at ~90% of that very conservative PR