Using Tonnage as a Measure for Maintaining Training Load While Decreasing Intensity

Hello, Thank you for taking the time to read this. I am trying to find the best way to articulate my question…

When adjusting my programs to allow for lower RPEs in my training sessions, I am using tonnage as a tool to lower the weight but maintain the same hypertrophic stress. My impression is if I keep the tonnage constant, I can drop the weight and increase the volume to get the same stress.

For Example:
If I calculate my tonnage for a given rep/set scheme, say 5x5 @ 375, could I simply take that tonnage and use it to calculate a rep/ set scheme at a lower weight while still getting the same hypertrophic response? For instance I could do 5x6 @ 315 to match that tonnage, which would be a significantly lower RPE, but would it provide the same hypertrophic reposnse?

When we talk about hypertrophy being dependent on volume and independent of relative intensity, are we really saying that hypertrophy is dependent on overall tonnage in a session?

Thanks and keep up the great content!

Except that’s not the relationship between tonnage and outcomes so no, this is unlikely to work directly.

Nope, those are two very different workouts with respect to hypertrophy,

Not at all. I don’t think tonnage is a useful metric to use to guide management.

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