RPE chart
How heavy is a set of 5 at RPE 8? Find the reps along the top and the RPE down the side. The number is the share of your estimated one-rep max (e1RM) that set works out to. Type your e1RM to see the weight.
5 reps at RPE 8 is 81.1% of your e1RM.
| RPE reps | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | ||||||||||||
| 9.5 | ||||||||||||
| 9 | ||||||||||||
| 8.5 | ||||||||||||
| 8 | ||||||||||||
| 7.5 | ||||||||||||
| 7 | ||||||||||||
| 6.5 | ||||||||||||
| 6 |
Tap a cell to read it. Scroll sideways on a phone. * Rebar never plans a set above 95% of an e1RM, so the heaviest cells stop there.
How the chart is worked out
RPE (rate of perceived exertion) rates a set from 1 to 10 by how many more reps you had left. RPE 10 means nothing left; RPE 8 means about two more; RPE 6, about four.
So a set of 5 at RPE 8 is a weight you could have lifted about 7 times. Each cell takes the reps you did plus the reps you had left, and asks what share of a one-rep max you can lift that many times. That share comes from the same estimate Rebar uses for your e1RM, worked backwards. This is the chart Rebar itself plans sets with.
Rebar keeps every planned set between 40% and 95% of an e1RM, so an out-of-date estimate can never turn into an absurd weight. The weights are rounded to what a barbell can be loaded to: 5 lb steps, or 2.5 kg.
Don't know your e1RM? Work it out from a recent set with the e1RM calculator.