RPE is a term you hear more and more often comes up in training programs, coaching apps, and conversations in the gym. Yet it remains something abstract for many strength athletes. Some use it wrong, others completely ignore it, and yet others already train unconsciously years following RPE without calling it that.
In this article, I will go deep into what RPE is, why it is so valuable in strength training, how to apply it correctly, what the difference is between RPE and RIR, and especially: at which RPE you should training as a bodybuilder or powerlifter and why that differs.
This is not a theoretical story, but a practical framework that you can immediately use in your own training.
What is RPE in strength training?
RPE stands for Rate of Perceived Exertion. In simple words, this means: how heavy a set feels to you at that moment.
It is important to understand that RPE is not is about the weight on the bar, but about how close you are to your maximum capacity comes within a set. Two athletes can lift exactly the same weight lifting, but experiencing a totally different RPE.
RPE actually answers one simple question:
"How many more reps could I have done with good technique?"”
The fewer repetitions you have left, the higher the RPE.
Why is RPE so important in strength training?
1. Your performance is not the same every day the same
Your body is not a machine. Lack of sleep, stress, nutrition, caffeine, hydration, mental focus, and recovery all play a role. A weight that was RPE 7 yesterday can be RPE 9 today.
If you always train at fixed percentages or fixed weights, you ignore that reality. RPE automatically adjusts to how you feel that day.
2. RPE prevents structural overload
Many strength athletes train for years “too hard.” Every set must be maximal, every training must be exhausting. That sometimes works in the short term, but often leads to:
- chronic fatigue
- aches in tendons and joints
- mental burnout
- stalled progression
RPE helps you train hard enough to make progress without consistently overreaching your recovery. Also read our blog about a deload week.
3. RPE ensures consistent progress
Progress does not come from one brutal training, but from months of consistent training. By not pushing every session to the going to the extreme, you keep lifting technically better, recover faster and can do more frequent quality sets.
4. Autoregulation without chaos
RPE is a form of autoregulation. That means that your training automatically adjusts to your daily form, without your entire program changes. (meta-analyses on autoregulation in strength training)
You still train according to structure, but you leave room for reality.
The RPE scale explained
In strength training we use a scale from 1 to 10, but in practice RPE 6 through 10 are especially relevant.
Meaning per RPE:
- RPE 10
Absolute maximum effort. No more repetitions possible with good
technique.
- RPE 9
1 rep left in reserve.
- RPE 8
2 reps left in reserve.
- RPE 7
3 reps left in reserve.
- RPE 6
4 reps left in reserve. Technically clean, relatively comfortable.
Anything under RPE 6 is usually too light to to stimulate significant hypertrophy or strength, except for technique work or recovery training.
What is the difference between RPE and RIR?
- RIR (Reps In Reserve) is actually the practical translation of RPE.
RPE 10 = 0 RIR
RPE 9 = 1 RIR
RPE 8 = 2 RIR
RPE 7 = 3 RIR
Many athletes find RIR easier because
to be more concrete: "How many reps could I still have done?"
In practice, you can use RPE and RIR interchangeably — the concept is
the same.
How do you apply RPE in strength training?
1. Get to know failure (but don’t abuse it not)
You can only estimate RPE well if you know what real failure feels like. That doesn’t mean you have to go to failure every training must go, but you have to experience it occasionally.
Without that reference point, RPE is guessing.
2. Start conservatively
Almost everyone (unless you are a beginner, who often does the opposite) overestimates their RPE at first. What feels like “RPE 8” often turns out to be RPE to be 9 or 10. Better to start a bit light and work up.
3. Use RPE per set, not per training
A training session can consist of different RPE zones:
- Heavy compounds: RPE 6–8
- Hypertrophy work: RPE 7–9
- Isolation exercises: RPE 8–10
That is normal and even desirable.
At which RPE should you train if bodybuilder?
The goal of bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is not about maximum strength on one repetition, but for muscle growth over time. The most important factors for this are:
- sufficient mechanical tension
- enough effective volume
- recoverability
For most bodybuilders this is optimal:
- RPE 7–9 for the majority of the training
- Occasionally RPE 9–10 on isolation exercises
- Rarely structurally RPE 10 on heavy compounds
Why? Because training to complete failure it is not necessary to achieve maximum muscle growth.
Why not always train to failure?
- Muscle growth saturates before failure
- Fatigue increases disproportionately
- Technique deteriorates
- Recovery worsens
Research shows that training with 1–2 reps in reserve produce almost the same hypertrophy as failure, but with less fatigue.
Rep ranges and RPE in bodybuilding
- 6–10 reps: RPE 7–8
- 10–15 reps: RPE 8–9
-15–20+ reps: as close to failure as possible
Higher rep ranges tax the nervous system less and are therefore often better combined with higher RPEs.
At which RPE should you train if powerlifter?
The goal of powerlifting
Powerlifting is about maximal strength output on squat, bench press, and deadlift. This requires:
- technical precision
- efficient use of the nervous system
- long-term consistency
Optimal RPE range for powerlifters
- Technical volume sets: RPE 6–7
- Heavier work sets: RPE 7–8
- Competition preparation: RPE 8–9
- RPE 10: sporadically and planned
Many successful powerlifters train it most of the year well below their maximum capacity.
Why powerlifters train at lower RPE
- CNS fatigue accumulates quickly
- Technique breaks down at high RPE
- Injury risk increases
- Recovery takes longer
A powerlifter doesn't win by one heavy training, but through 100 good training sessions in a row.
Why RPE differs between bodybuilding and powerlifting?
1. Difference in goal
- Bodybuilding → muscle growth
- Powerlifting → maximal strength
2. Difference in load
- Low reps + heavy loads = high CNS load
- Higher reps = more local muscle load
3. Difference in technique sensitivity
- Bodybuilders can tolerate failure
- Powerlifters must protect technique
Common mistakes with RPE:
- Training everything at RPE 9–10
- Ego over technique
- Confusing RPE with muscle soreness or burning
- No long-term thinking
How do you really learn to use RPE well?
- Keep training logs
- Film heavy sets
- Compare planned vs experienced RPE
- Give yourself time
- After a few months, RPE becomes intuitive.
Conclusion: what is RPE in strength training?
- RPE is not a hype or an excuse to train less hard. It is an intelligent system to train harder and smarter.
- Bodybuilders get the most out of RPE 7–9
- Powerlifters benefit from RPE 6–8 with strategic peaks
- Those who learn to use RPE not only train more effectively, but also his body also stays healthy and progressive for years longer.
