# Intraset fatique with the main lifts

**URL:** <https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/intraset-fatique-with-the-main-lifts/4349>\
**Category:** Training Q&A \[Moderated\]\
**Created:** [December 17, 2018, 3:44pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/intraset-fatique-with-the-main-lifts/4349 "2018-12-17T15:44:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![onur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d26b3c/32.png) [@onur](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/onur)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 3:44pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/intraset-fatique-with-the-main-lifts/4349/1 "2018-12-17T15:44:18Z")

</div>

Hi coaches. I have some questions:

I feel like because of intraset fatique, different lifts should be performed with different reps rather than around 5’s. I know you alter the rep ranges but they still seem close to 5’s.

Jordan said ohp gets more affected with the intraset fatique so sets 4 reps is preferable for strength. In my humble opinion, for deadlifts, it should be even lower; maybe 3’s and even cluster singles. Because grip and the erectors(mine at least) give up much more quickly than other groups of muscles during the set. With the weights i can pull pretty easily, i can’t keep my upper back neutral after 3 reps.

So lowering the reps while keeping the volume the same by adding sets might be useful for deadlift. Am i right to think this way? Or should we work on those rep ranges so that; for instance grip and erectors become more resistant? I mean should we choose the weight in which our upper back doesn’t round? Load management will probably be useful for that but how about choosing different rep ranges?

I apologize for taking your time if these are terrible questions.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 5:36pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/intraset-fatique-with-the-main-lifts/4349/2 "2018-12-18T17:36:21Z")

</div>

> [@onur](#):
>
> Hi coaches. I have some questions:
> 
> I feel like because of intraset fatique, different lifts should be performed with different reps rather than around 5’s. I know you alter the rep ranges but they still seem close to 5’s.

I don’t think that accurately reflects how we program.

> [@onur](#):
>
> Jordan said ohp gets more affected with the intraset fatique so sets 4 reps is preferable for strength.

I’m reasonably sure I didn’t say exactly that, but yes sets of 4 can be useful to limit intraset fatigue compared to higher reps.

> [@onur](#):
>
> In my humble opinion, for deadlifts, it should be even lower; maybe 3’s and even cluster singles. Because grip and the erectors(mine at least) give up much more quickly than other groups of muscles during the set. With the weights i can pull pretty easily, i can’t keep my upper back neutral after 3 reps.

Without seeing your form, I cannot verify this.

That said, could you do a bunch of submaximal sets of 3? Sure.

> [@onur](#):
>
> So lowering the reps while keeping the volume the same by adding sets might be useful for deadlift. Am i right to think this way? Or should we work on those rep ranges so that; for instance grip and erectors become more resistant? I mean should we choose the weight in which our upper back doesn’t round? Load management will probably be useful for that but how about choosing different rep ranges?
> 
> I apologize for taking your time if these are terrible questions.

I think there are merits to both approaches. In general, I like the intensity to allow for relatively good, repeatable technique and the volume to function as the primary driver of fatigue. Said differently, I want a bunch of sets where technique is challenged, but holds together reasonably well.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![onur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d26b3c/32.png) [@onur](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/onur)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 5:47pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/intraset-fatique-with-the-main-lifts/4349/3 "2018-12-18T17:47:24Z")

</div>

Thanks doc.