Just started the Bridge 1.0, and its been great so far. I am still getting used to using RPE, but i just have 1 confusion. I tried looking through the forum but couldnt quite find what i was looking for. So my question is, when the program prescribes “5 reps @ 8RPE x 3 sets” (for example). Do I perform each set to RPE 8 (i.e strip weight accordingly each set) OR do i select a weight which I perform for 3 sets, and the last set is RPE of 8. Hope this makes sense, and if im thinking of this completely wrong let me know lol.
p.s Thanks BBM crew for providing awesome informative content
It should be 3 sets @8. Ideally, you would do it with the same weight, but it’s ok if the RPE increases and you need to drop some weight for the 2nd or 3rd set.
I would add one caveat to what t_angeiras said, that I wouldn’t drop weight unless you go over @9 on subsequent sets. Some RPE creep is normal. Your body does fatigue between sets. Jordan has mentioned before in a few places that if you hit 8.5 or even 9 on your later sets you are still good. And if you do go over 9, before you start pulling off weight I would ask yourself a couple of questions:
Did you screw your form up on the set that went over 9? Meaning, was it really a 9, or just an accident that should have been lower?
Did you overshoot your first @8? If so, maybe the next week pull a little weight off and be more careful.
If neither of the above are applicable, maybe you might need to think about increasing rest periods between.
Generally 5 minutes is enough rest between sets to keep RPE the same between the sets. So if you’re having trouble give it a try. I’m in week 3 of the bridge but life just kicked me in the nuts and I may have to restart it next week when I get back from my work trip.