Using barbell movement speed to gauge RPE vs reps left in the tank

Training Q&A [Moderated]
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I noticed when I use “reps left in the tank” to gauge my RPE (e.g., guaranteed two reps in the tank is an RPE 8), compared to barbell speed (e.g., moderately slowed bar speed is an RPE 8), then I can use higher amounts of weight with the latter over the former. I think this discrepancy is related to being limited by my cardiopulmonary fitness. I’m too tired from a respiratory standpoint to do two more reps to make it an RPE 8. Still, the bar speed hasn’t slowed down from a strength standpoint.

Is there any anecdotal or scientific evidence to lean one way or the other? Or should I do whatever method puts the most weight on the bar?

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I think if this is your experience, I think it’s reasonable to use bar speed for higher rep sets, e.g. > 8-repetitions and RIR for sets < 8-reps.

I do not think using the method that puts the most weight on the bar is necessarily superior. As long as the weight is heavy enough and gets you somewhere within ~4-5 reps of failure, small to moderate differences in loading probably don’t matter much outside of fatigue costs. I’d err towards being more conservative unless you’re going to test your strength that day or in the very near future.

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