Reps in reserve are usually underestimated
When people estimate how many reps they have left, on average they guess fewer than they really have. Self-rated RPE should therefore be checked against other data.
Limited evidence
PubMed sources: 1 supports the claim.
Last reviewed:
What the research shows
A review with an exploratory meta-analysis (Halperin 2022) found that participants on average estimated about one rep less in reserve than they really had.
The authors call their analysis exploratory, so it counts here as one study, not as a synthesis.
In practice
The RPE a powerlifter logs is probably a little conservative, by about one rep on average. Before basing a weight change on it, compare it with earlier sets at the same weight.
Limits
One source only, which is why the evidence is limited. Some practitioners quote larger gaps; the research shows about one rep.
PubMed sources
- Halperin 2022, PubMedstudy · supports