HLM version 2 template question

Training Q&A [Moderated]
1

Hi guys
Happy new year!
I am in week 2 of the HLM version 2 template, and have a question about doing the back off sets for the main lifts where it prescribes, take off 5% and do 12/16/20 reps, sets of 4-6 at no more than RPE 8.
Should we aim to make the sets the same number of reps? Does it matter if we do weird reps per set?

For example, this morning I did overhead press, 50kg, 52.5, 55 (top set), then back off ~5% to 52.5 for a set of 6 at RPE 8/8.5, then went for another set of 6 but this one was 9/9.5. Should I have stopped that second set at 4 then had a rest and done another mini-set of 2?

And for later weeks, for example when it is 16, would you aim to do 2 sets of 6 then a 4? or 4 sets of 4? And similar for 20, 4 sets of 5?

OR, am I over-thinking this and it does not really matter?

Thanks very much,
Dace

2

Hi Dace,

Happy new year to you as well!

  1. It doesn’t really matter how many reps are in a set, and it is written this way so you can make the call.
  2. I would have done 4 in the 2nd set, yes. That’s what the note of no more than RPE 8 signifies-use that RPE ceiling to help you decide how many reps you will do in each back off set. You should most certainly not be grinding out reps here.
3

Thanks very much Leah!