# 1@8, 3@8

**URL:** <https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/1-8-3-8/12802>\
**Category:** Training Q&A \[Moderated\]\
**Created:** [August 28, 2022, 3:43pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/1-8-3-8/12802 "2022-08-28T15:43:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![wiigelec](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/6f9a4e/32.png) [@wiigelec](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/wiigelec)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2022, 3:43pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/1-8-3-8/12802/1 "2022-08-28T15:43:02Z")

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Good day,

I was hoping to get some clarification on the how’s and why’s of a session laid out as 1@8, 3@8, backoffs at % of e1rm.

Should I work up to a single @8, then use the RPE chart to determine 3@8 weight? For example say I work up to 225 x 1@8. RPE chart gives 3@8 as 86.3%, so .863\*225/.922 = 210 for 3@8 set. Or do I work up to the 3@8 separately from the 1@8?

What is the purpose of the two top sets? Is the 3@8 meant as a sanity check on the 1@8? Is it to practice singles and triples in the same session?

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2022, 4:33pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/1-8-3-8/12802/2 "2022-08-28T16:33:11Z")

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I would ballpark the 3 @ 8 from the 1 @ 8, aiming to be conservative if there’s any doubt.

Singles are a special skill that usually benefit from practice, which is why we include them in addition to a rep-effort top set. I don’t really care that you practice triples as much as I want you to develop all of the necessary adaptations to lifting heavy weights without over-fatiguing yourself. There are many, many ways to do this and doing both a single + rep-effort top sets is one of them.