how many warmup sets can be cut reasonably?

BBM templates typically show 9 slots for each exercise. I find that, if I do all of the slots, it pushes my session RPE to 9. In another discussion, you suggested that I keep my session RPE a bit lower, around 7 or 8. For me, that means cutting some of the volume / not doing all 9 slots.

Example: say I’m deadlifting today, in sets of 8. (Hypertrophy 1) For work sets, the template says one each at RPE 7 - 8 - 9, and in my case, a 9 set today will be about 315 lbs.

  • I could do warmups like 135 - 195 - 245, then work sets like 275 - 295 - 315. I hit the stated work RPEs, after 3 warmups. With 6 sets overall, I have plenty of energy for the rest of the session.

  • Or I could do warmups like 135 - 185 - 205 - 225 - 245 - 265, then work sets like 275 - 295 - 315. Again I hit the stated work RPEs, but after 6 warmups. With 9 sets overall of deadlifting, I will be feeling it for the rest of the session which turns into an RPE 9-ish struggle.

Which way is better?

There is nothing implied by the fact that there are 9 slots available. Just because there are 9 slots does not mean you have to fill them all with warmup sets.