Bench Press Back Off Sets %RM Too High?

Greetings Docs, I’ve been running the 12 Week Olympic program and just finished week 5 day 2. My question is about the %1RM of the back off sets after the 5@7, 5@8, and 5@9. The work sets feel where they should RPE wise, but I’m finding the last set of the back offs at 80% of 1RM are way more difficult than I think they should be. Last weeks fourth set was RPE 9.5 and this week’s third set was a solid RPE 10. Should these sets be this difficult, and would it be wise to reduce the %1RM? Would something between 70-76% be more appropriate?

Ceamer,

Thanks for this. Given that you’re likely familiar with the training load by now, I think it’s reasonable to suggest a slight decrease in your last set of two of back off work. ~75% seems reasonable, sure.

-Jordan

Thanks for your reply Jordan. Will make appropriate adjustments next week and report back with findings.

Did first backoff set at 80% and it was an RPE 9, did second and third sets at 75% and they were RPE 8-8.5. Week 7 is a different exercise, so I’ll play around with the percentages in week 8 and see what happens.