Strength coach weekly RPE targets planner

Set weekly RPE targets from lift priority, week goal, recovery, adherence, and session length so effort prescriptions stay clear and finishable.

Use the tool Read: How strength coaches run weekly client reviews

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Set weekly RPE targets

Use lift priority, week goal, recovery, adherence, and session length to set a clear effort band instead of vague train-hard notes.

Lift priorityWeek goalRecovery statusRecent adherenceSession length

RPE profileSimpleSimple RPE week for mixed main + secondary focus—lower effort, no failure stacking

Primary RPE targetMains at RPE 7 and secondaries at RPE 6-7; one clear effort ladder, no failure huntingBias effort targets lower (easier RPE) so the client can finish sessions honestly.

Priority guidance

Write a two-step ladder: mains harder, secondaries about 1 RPE easier.
Bias the hardest sets to the lift family that still needs productive stress.
Use simpler effort rules on tertiary work so the week stays finishable.

Practice rules

Write one RPE ladder on the card this week—no vague train-hard notes across every lift.
Log estimated RPE on 1-2 priority sets so next week has a real effort signal.
Prefer cleaner shorter work over long lists that force accidental high-RPE sets.
End hard work when the target RPE is hit, not when ego wants another grinder.

What not to grind yet

Do not chase RPE 9-10 on poorly recovered or short-session weeks.
Do not raise RPE mid-week because one set felt easy on paper.
Do not turn every accessory into another high-RPE set while adherence is still fragile.

Coaching rules

Choose one primary RPE band from lift priority and week goal—not a vague train-hard note.
Match effort ambition to recovery, adherence, and session length.
Park failure chasing until the current RPE standard is mostly honest.
Review the same RPE target next week before inventing a harder one.

Why this matters