RPE Training Explained: Autoregulation Guide
Learn how to use Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) to autoregulate your training, train smarter on good days and bad days, and make better progress over time.
What is RPE?
Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) is a subjective measure of how hard a set feels, typically on a scale of 1-10. It was popularized in powerlifting by Mike Tuchscherer and has become a staple of modern strength programming.
The key insight: RPE measures intensity relative to your current capacity, not an absolute weight. This means your training automatically adjusts to how you are feeling that day - whether you slept great or terribly, are stressed or relaxed.
The RPE Scale
Why Use RPE?
Automatic Adjustment
Bad sleep? Stressful week? RPE-based training naturally scales back. Feeling great? You will push harder. No need to rigidly follow percentages.
Better Fatigue Management
By training to specific RPE targets, you accumulate the right amount of fatigue - not too much, not too little.
Improved Body Awareness
Learning to accurately gauge RPE makes you more in tune with your body, which helps prevent injuries and overtraining.
Long-term Progress
RPE-based training often leads to more consistent progress because you are training optimally relative to your recovery, not blindly following a spreadsheet.
How Apex Uses RPE
Apex AI uses your RPE ratings to make intelligent adjustments to your program:
- 1Weight Progression: If sets feel easier than target RPE, we increase weight next session
- 2Fatigue Detection: Consistently high RPE ratings trigger deload recommendations
- 3Volume Adjustment: We may reduce sets if accumulated fatigue is too high
Train With Intelligent RPE Tracking
Apex automatically adjusts your program based on your RPE ratings. No spreadsheets, no guesswork.
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