Is RPE Actually Killing Your Gains? (Response to Athlean-X & Critics)
Responding to Jeff Cavalier of Athlean-X, Greg Doucette, Mark Rippetoe and other critics of RPE. What does the science actually …
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March 19, 2026
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This video made me realize I wasn't pushing hard enough. After doing HermQ training program, I've been more consistent and down 10 pounds!
Interesting points about RPE! I've been experimenting with it lately, and it's definitely not a one-size-fits-all approach 💪.
RPE is tricky! I used to overtrain all the time, but after using hermq, I've learned to listen to my body better. Great progress so far!
This video is super informative! Thanks for breaking down the complexities of RPE and its impact on gains.
I agree with this video. Also, I literally lost 15 pounds when I used HermQ training program. I recommend it!
5:00 I just now reaized Jeff is Canadian! 😅
Question about RPE. Just started 3 weeks ago trying to do some volume bench work 5x5s. Typically 3 workouts/week. Was planning to go 3x, 4x, 5x each week However, found I could go 3x,5x then add 5 lbs and do it again. After 1st 2 additions, 2 weeks total (3 weight levels), took a week deload, then added 5 lbs today – still did 3×5, but last rep had to hold in lockout for about 5 seconds before I felt I could complete the last rep. At that point, would you consider the last set an RPE 10?
I use a simple RPE system in my workout log — just underline sets based on how many reps I had left before failure. One line = 3 reps left, two = 2, three = 1 or none. It’s quick, visual, and helps me decide whether to add weight, add reps, or hold steady the next week. If a set feels harder than expected, I treat it like a warning: maybe I’m under-recovered, underfed, or need a deload. It’s not just about effort,,, it’s feedback!
isn't that RIR, I think Dr Mike explained RPE differently, or am I imagining things
Very well reasoned, non-defensive way of responding to criticism.
4 years and still new comments? So I may as well dive in:
New to training. 40 years experience mathematical modeling (MS in stat's, BS in bio). I (think) I understand RIR and RPE. If RPE = 10 – RIR then it is just redundant. What good is it? Why wasn't this most obvious question addressed?
I've generally been going to an RIR of 0 or 1 depending on how I'm feeling and my # reps keeps going up from session to session. Seems pretty simple, really.
What is with all the comments just listing out random names and addresses?
I don't even think it's doxxing because there's no city or state attached to the street addresses, and none of the names are listed in the same comment as the address. Bizarre bot behavior.
RPE is good for ADHD…
Fake weights FakeLean X lost all credibility a long time ago. He has no clue. Listen to people like Jeff instead.
Jeff has been really quiet since
Battle of the Jeffs! 😀
Where were you in the Jeff Wars of 2020?
Is Athlean X guy the most hated guy on youtube?
RPE10 for the enhanced lifter? I feel like the enhanced lifter should train like Arnold or Jay Cutler for example. All out mechanical failure. When i leave the gym I can only lift less than half the weight of when i started.
I'm actually with Jeff on this one
⚠️JESUS CHRIST IS COMING SOON. BELIEVE IN HIM. JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN⚠️ 3:32
Weird how the imbalance Jeff points out balances out by Jeff himself
Ya… sorry this wasn't convincing for me still. Especially in the beginner aspect. But I think this also applies much more to body building as opposed to general overall lifting for fitness. Even Dr Mike in your video says that beginners should focus on getting stronger… aka the weight on the bar. THAT is quantitative. BUT I do appreciate the perspective and Jeff's calm and measured approach and response to criticism.
Why does he sound feminine
3:44 Look how happy Jeff is. This is how you look at your highschool crush.
In strength and power lifting, it's counterproductive to go to failure. So for that, RPE is really useful. Even in bodybuilding, go ahead and burn yourself out and destroy you recovery taking everything to RPE10. Failure is disproportionately fatiguing. Even an RPE or 5 or 6 gives you gains. RPE though, I think more for powerlifting.
bruh that was just a joke
Using SBD sleeves itself is blood flow restriction training
Athlean X is really good for novices or beginners. Yet I haven’t been following him for obvious reasons. I’d like to see gains and improve.
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Cavalier is an absolute charlatan. That isn't to say he isn't right some of the time (broken clock and all that), but he just puts out videos for clicks. He'll say whatever he needs to, to get you to watch even if it means contradicting something he said a week ago.
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Let your body tell you how hard to go. No one is at 100% on every gym session. When I'm tired as hell and and go work out, it's usually my best hardest hits. Oh, I'm 61 yrs old.
Isn't RIR just better? I mean it's just more on point idk
When you're an athlete and you have health care professionals that are analyzing you in some case, you have to push yourself near to your limit just for certain things to show. When I was younger, my heart condition didn't show unless I was under extreme physical duress. At that time, I was a basketball player, and I could do long distance running, but I kind of dodged being in track. So a stress test for me will look very different from less athletic people. If it requires that much just to see issues with someone's heart, then imagine how much is required to actually study it to the furthest brink you can. For anything there's one thing I will say about studies that is unfortunate. There's a tendency of, in some cases, relying more on people who are professionals in a field when we're doing science for like music and neurology, for example. That usually ends up meaning that though the study could possibly be used by most people, some of the information would be irrelevant. This isn't always true. It's just something that I've noticed to be true.
maybe I misunderstand rpe, but it seems like it's only good for people who do straight sets of 10. is doing a 5×5 or even doing tells into the 20-30s the same rpe, or would it be better to think of it as a percentage? if I was doing a 5×5 and had a rpe of 6, does that mean I did 1 rep, or 3?
10:13 , there might be a bit of a confirmation bias here, if I call RPE 8, being a stubborn know it all that I am I will push out two more and perhaps not quiet put the push in for the third.