Gutnick chart of perceived effort
Sometime last year I started to think about how we as lifters could scale our exertion level for any particular set or individual lift. The following exertion scale may be advantageous for us to use.

1. Still sleeping.
2. Good for warmups, but nothing else.
3. Heavy warmup weight.
4. Won't break a sweat.
5. Good for 15 reps, if wanted.
6. Good for 10 reps, if wanted.
7. Got my attention, but with good velocity.
8. Very heavy, but still doable.
9. Glad this wasn't a 10.
10. Maximum effort. Wouldn't have gone with another pound.

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