What is RPE 9 for 5 Reps?
Performing 5 reps at an RPE of 9 (Rate of Perceived Exertion) corresponds to approximately 83.7% of your 1-Repetition Maximum (1RM).
What does RPE 9 feel like?
RPE stands for Rate of Perceived Exertion. An RPE of 9 means you have exactly 1 rep in reserve (RIR). If you were to continue the set to absolute failure, you could complete 1 more rep before your form broke down or you failed the lift.
How to calculate your working weight
To find the exact weight you should lift for this set, multiply your known or estimated 1RM by 0.837.
For example, if your 1RM is 200 lbs: 200 lbs × 0.837 = 167.4 lbs
Frequently Asked Questions
How to calculate RPE in lifting?
You can calculate RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) by estimating how many more repetitions you could have performed at the end of your set. Subtract your "Reps in Reserve" (RIR) from 10 to get your RPE. For instance, if you finish a set of 5 reps and feel you could have done 1 more, your RPE is 9.
What is the Mike Tuchscherer RPE scale?
Powerlifting coach Mike Tuchscherer popularized the RPE scale for strength training. It provides a structured way to auto-regulate your workouts. Utilizing an rpe scale chart or an rpe calculator helps you adapt your training loads based on your daily readiness rather than sticking strictly to fixed percentages.
How do I convert RPE to percentage?
To convert an RPE and rep scheme to a percentage of your 1RM, you use an established rpe percentage chart. For example, doing 5 reps at RPE 9 equates to approximately 83.7% of your max. You can use our rpe percentage calculator above to instantly find the exact percentage for any combination.
Calculate your exact weights
Use our full RPE Calculator to calculate your estimated 1RM, backoff sets, and plate math automatically.
Go to RPE Calculator