An RPE chart gives a starting weight, not an exact one
How many reps someone gets at a given percentage of 1RM varies widely between people and between exercises. A single reps × RPE chart therefore gives only a first estimate of the weight for each lift.
Strong evidence
PubMed sources: 3 support the claim.
Last reviewed:
What the research shows
The largest analysis (Nuzzo 2024) pooled 952 reps-to-failure tests in 7289 people. Reps at the same percentage of 1RM spread widely between individuals and differ between the bench press and the leg press.
Smaller studies show the same. At the same percentage of 1RM, participants did different reps in the squat and the bench, most at lighter loads (Shimano 2006), and runners did far more reps on the leg press than weightlifters (Richens 2014).
In practice
Take the chart's weight as a first attempt, separately for each lift. Then correct it from the sets that lifter actually logged: reps and RPE at a known weight say more than the chart.
Limits
The analyses measure reps to failure, not RPE ratings, so they bear on the chart indirectly. There is too little data for separate squat and deadlift curves. Sex, age and training status changed the result little.
PubMed sources
- Nuzzo 2024, PubMedmeta-analysis or review · supports
- Shimano 2006, PubMedstudy · supports
- Richens 2014, PubMedstudy · supports