Using RPE

RPE in Strength Training: Why Beginners Misuse It (and How to Calibrate It) On Iron Radio, hosts Coach Phil Stevens, Dr. Lonnie Lowery and Dr. Mike T. Nelson discuss rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and why it can be misapplied in strength training. They define RPE as a subjective intensity scale (including the Borg 6–20 scale) and contrast it with objective measures like heart rate and percentages of 1RM. Phil argues RPE requires calibration through experience and that newer lifters often avoid hard work because they don’t yet know what true maximal effort feels like, while “tough guys” may under-rate effort. The group recommends pairing RPE with objective targets, tracking output over time for patterns, using coaching to calibrate effort, and reserving true all-out attempts for the competition platform to reduce injury risk. 00:00 Show Intro 00:33 Hosts And Agenda 01:26 RPE Hype And Pitfalls 02:53 Percentages Plus RPE 03:45 Coaching New Lifters 04:15 Strain Versus Pain 05:46 Mike Joins And Defines RPE 06:59 Subjective Versus Objective 08:32 Beginners Need Calibration 13:50 Westside Daily Max Explained 16:05 Track Output Over Time 16:24 Avoiding The RPE Hole 17:21 Peaking With RPE 18:19 Objective vs Subjective Load 19:20 RPE Ego And Failure Culture 19:44 Coaching For Psychology 21:09 Calibrating RPE Signals 23:17 Percent Work Plus RPE 24:13 Extra Work As Reward 25:47 Training Toughness Adaptation 28:19 Patterns And Outlier Days 29:40 Warmups Dont Overthink 31:13 Wrap Up And Disclaimer Donate to the show via PayPal HERE.You can also join Dr Mike's Insider Newsletter for more info on how to add muscle, improve your performance and body comp - all without destroying your health, go to www.ironradiodrmike.com Thank you!Phil, Jerrell, Mike T, and Lonnie