# Deadlifting / Backpain / RPE

**URL:** <https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/deadlifting-backpain-rpe/6671>\
**Category:** Training Q&A \[Moderated\]\
**Tags:** training, rpe, pain, deadlift, training-template\
**Created:** [August 5, 2019, 9:53pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/deadlifting-backpain-rpe/6671 "2019-08-05T21:53:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![BrandonD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f9ae1b/32.png) [@BrandonD](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/BrandonD)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2019, 9:53pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/deadlifting-backpain-rpe/6671/1 "2019-08-05T21:53:45Z")

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I wrote to Dr Feigenbaum on Instagram about being new to the novice strength progression and new to RPE. I don’t know if it’s an issue with form or just sensitive to higher reps but when I perform the deadlift at 8 reps for 6 7 and 8 rpe it’s significantly harder for me to do than it is on the days where I pull for 4 reps at 8 rpe…for example last Friday I pulled 285 for 4 at 8 rpe and probably could have done 300 with no problem but today I did 240 for 8 reps and it really bothers my lower back. What should I do?

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**Author:** ![LeahBBM](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/leahbbm/32/17_2.png) [@LeahBBM](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/LeahBBM)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2019, 10:48pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/deadlifting-backpain-rpe/6671/2 "2019-08-05T22:48:32Z")

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Hi Brandon,  
Welcome and great to hear that you’re on the Beginner’s Template. I assume that working sets of 8-10 reps are a bit new, and therefore I wouldn’t worry about this. I’d use a weight for the @8 sets that you can tolerate, holding your back position and simply giving yourself some time to adjust to the volume. I suspect that you’ll see things improve pretty steadily.

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**Author:** ![BrandonD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f9ae1b/32.png) [@BrandonD](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/BrandonD)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2019, 11:18pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/deadlifting-backpain-rpe/6671/3 "2019-08-05T23:18:49Z")

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Thank you Leah !