Strength coach blog
how-to for online strength coaches
How to prescribe working weights with RPE
RPE-based load prescription works when coaches start from a recent honest set, estimate capacity, and write clear working targets clients can hit.
Begin with an honest recent set, not an old tested max
Working weights drift when coaches reuse last block’s claimed max. A better start is a recent set the client actually logged: load, reps, and RPE. That keeps the prescription tied to current capacity.
Estimate capacity, then choose the working target
Convert the recent set into an estimated 1RM, then pick the next session’s reps and RPE. The goal is a finishable top set or working window, not a theoretical percentage that ignores fatigue and technique.
Write the prescription so clients can self-correct
Tell clients the target reps, target RPE, and what to do if the first warm-up already feels heavy. Clear stop rules keep auto-regulation useful instead of turning every session into guesswork.
Keep the Lyfta nudge natural
Once the load target is clear, a product like Lyfta Coach helps when the prescribed work and the client log live in the same place for the next review.