Dropping reps vs fractional plates

[Stu Hughes]

Hey Rip,
Can you explain why exactly using fractional plates is better than dropping a rep or two on the work sets and then building up to the whole 3 x 5 in the next workout?

Danke,
Stuart

[Mark Rippetoe]

Because 3 reps has a different effect than 5 reps, and the tonnage difference between 185 x 3 = 555 and 183 x 5 = 915 is too profound to ignore, and will have an effect on your linear adaptation.