how-to for online strength coaches who prescribe percentages from a training max and need a clean update rule
Training maxes stay useful when coaches update them from recent honest hard sets—not when every calculator estimate or chat guess rewrites the percentage ladder.
Key takeaways
A useful training-max update starts after the client has logged recent hard sets on the assigned percentages. Scan completed top sets, effort, and missed reps before bumping the max that drives next week's loads. This is a reading method for when to change the base—not software evaluation of training-max tools, and not a one-off e1RM calculator pass that never lands on the program.
If the client repeats prescribed percentages with clear reserve across recent sessions, nudge the training max up one honest step. If top sets miss or effort spikes early, hold or ease the max instead of forcing the old ladder. Ignore the urge to rewrite accessories and session order when only the percentage base needs an update.
Even a clean training-max call fails if clients still open percentages from a stale sheet. Put the updated training max on the assigned program, and note which logged sets drove the call so next review can judge whether that base still fits.
When the update rule is clear, a product like Lyfta Coach helps if assigned programs and individual workout logs stay in the same place coaches already edit.
Where Lyfta fits
Lyfta Coach can help when updating a training max needs the assigned program beside the workout logs coaches already review.