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I’ve always found the sets/reps vs weight comparison not particularly helpful, when considering total volume. Too many different levers.
- An extra rep on deadlift skews the volume very differently than an extra rep on flys
- An extra 80% deadlift rep has a different training load/stress vs an 80% fly
That being said, I’m now using an app (Hevy) to track numbers which has been very helpful and interesting, a few more cycles and I may find some correlations that I couldn’t see before. I’d love for it to display a 1RM calc for each set, that could reduce the number of variables
- An extra rep on deadlift skews the volume very differently than an extra rep on flys
pjhobs-
Yeah, total volume isn't the most important factor - I just like looking at the numbers - when I was regularly doing 3x3 heavy sets for bench/squat/row/ohp the total volume wasn't much, but from a strength perspective I wouldn't get near those numbers now & I was ruined after each session.
I use the Strong app (free version) & that has a 1rm estimate - seemed pretty accurate as far as I remember, as a lot of my sets at the time were 3x or 2x & the 1rm estimate was just a few kg higher.
@Ptown yeah, I think I get preoccupied with trying to add weight too often rather than when it feels too light - one of Alan Thrall's vids I just watched made this very useful point - so i'm often right on the limit which leads to an increasing list of mysterious niggles & constant fatigue.
I seen a Lee Priest (bodybuilder) video pop up recently & he spoke about people asking about his 1rm, said he had no idea as he never went anywhere near it for fear of injury. Unless you're going into powerlifting competitions or have a specific goal it probably doesn't make much difference if you drop the weight a little and add a rep or two.
That said, I still want a 100kg bench / 140kg squat this year, haha!
mcJ78
First morning back today & it was a bit of a shock to the system, was hoping that after a couple of weeks of complete rest my elbow would have eased up, but if anything it's worse - seems that doing anything is better than nothing in my case.
Before Christmas I decided to knock back the weight & try to make up the difference in reps, seems manageable & i'm not worrying about dropping anything or aggravating an ever increasing list of niggles... Been interesting looking back at the total volume, doing 3x drop sets at ~85/75/65% of 1rm to within a couple of reps of failure shifts almost 40% more weight than 3x6 heavy sets of the same exercises, didn't think it would be that much of a difference - perceived effort is less, if anything, which means there's probably scope for gradually increasing the weight as long as I can still grind out 8+ reps of each.
As always i'm probably over thinking this, but with limited time & injuries i'm trying to find the balance that will allow progress with lest risk of fucking anything up further.
@Chalfie Hadn't seen him before, - actaually quite relatable, I find many youtube lifting experts are hard to watch / listen to or even instantly dislikeable but I like this guy - ta!