Reduction in e1rm on high volume sets

Training Q&A [Moderated]
1

Team,

Is it normal to experience a reduction in e1rm during the higher rep sets at the beginning of a training block? It seems as if my lifts, especially upper body lifts, trend down in the beginning of new programs, but will begin going back up as the sets move towards triples versus fahves. If not, is this grounds for modifications to the templates? I understand that in general the fatigue dissipation in the last few weeks of a block allow the new strength to be recognized, but to what extent is this acceptable?

For example, my bench tends to drop by about 10-15 pounds from the peak of a previous program to the second or third week of the next program block. I know this is not just underestimated RPE as I have failed on rep 4 of 5 with a weight that should have been @8.

Thanks!

2

I think it’s normal for performance to be reduced on unfamiliar tasks, e.g. high rep sets if you’re used to low rep sets and vice versa. I wouldn’t worry about a small drop when starting a new program unless it never corrects or gets significantly worse.