I’ve been having an issue lately with RPE on my first working set compared to subsequent sets. An example - for an exercise the first set may be 8 at RPE 8 and subsequent sets at RPE 7 with number of reps determined by the RPE. I will do the first set and think I’m hitting 8 RPE, but then do the next set (and sometimes further sets) and hit 8 reps again, but feel like RPE is 7. It’s like no matter how warmed up for that first working set I am, I’m in a better “groove” for the subsequent ones so the RPE drops. This doesn’t happen all the time with all exercises, but enough for me to notice. Is this something I need to work on, and if so, how? Thank you!
People often can repeat sets @ 7 and 8 without much fatigue being built up, especially if they’re well-trained. While it’s unlikely you’re under-loading yourself enough to cause an issue, you can do a “second top set” if you like, counting the first one as a back-off set as sort of a heavy final warm up.
Your program is making me too strong and resilient - what do??