.svg){kind=icon}
Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Explained
How hard are you working out?
.webp)
Have you ever found yourself thinking about how hard a workout is when you’re in the middle of it? You may not even realise it’s happening – wondering how much effort you’ve put in and whether you’ve got more left in the tank to push further.
That entire self-reflective assessment goes by another, slightly more technical name: the rate of perceived exertion (RPE).
What is the Rate of Perceived Exertion?
The most important thing to understand is that your RPE is completely subjective – it’s different for everyone based on their own fitness levels and overall capabilities.
With that in mind, RPE can be defined as a subjective measure of exercise intensity.
Using a scale from 1 to 10 (with 1 being the least effort and 10 being the most effort), an individual makes an assessment on how much effort they are putting in at that particular moment.
What Factors can Influence RPE?
Your RPE can change from day to day or even at different times during an exercise session. Generally speaking, we can split the factors into two categories, physical and psychological:
Physical:
- Temperature (heat and humidity)
- Environment (terrain and gradient)
- Time (distance and duration)
- Fatigue
Psychological
- Motivation
- External (stress levels and distractions)
- Determination
- Fatigue
Why we use RPE in Exercise and Sports
As you can clearly see, an individual's RPE is constantly changing. One of the biggest benefits of the RPE scale is adaptation: changes can be made to training sessions that account for the physical and psychological factors while still challenging athletes.
For coaches, it’s also a quick way to gauge how athletes are feeling. Taking the focus away from specific benchmarks like personal bests or race splits creates an environment with significantly less pressure. Some days, the best you can do is simply show up!
How to Implement Rate of Perceived Exertion in Training
How you use RPE in your training will ultimately depend on your goals. If the external factors risk influencing traditional metrics too heavily then the RPE scale offers a simple alternative.
It’s also a great way of communicating effort between coaches and athletes – we all know what it means when we’re told to give 10/10 effort! This is especially useful for endurance athletes who can develop their discipline IQ as there are many times when a sprint finish makes all the difference.
Final thoughts
It’s always a good idea to monitor your exercise performance as it highlights a clear path to improvement. The same goes for exercise intensity – using the RPE scale allows athletes to make adjustments in the moment that don’t negatively impact long-term goals.
Fun - Honesty - SIMPLICITY - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - Hard Work
GYMNASTICS
This Tuesday, we’re focusing on handstands and handstand walks! We’ll start with strength work before moving on to balance and control while upside down, beginning from the box and progressing to the wall and beyond.
Thursday, we’re heading back to the bar for another round of Bar Muscle Ups! Whether you're chasing your first rep or fine-tuning your technique for cleaner, stronger sets, we’ve got you covered with progressions, modifications, and strength drills to help you level up. Let's go!
HYBRID FITNESS
This week's HYBRID Fitness session focuses on running intervals and then some compromised running, getting used to pushing into the run after some taxing work.
MOBILITY
Unlock better depth, posture, and comfort in your front squats with this focused mobility class. We’ll target key areas, such as the ankles, hips, thoracic spine, and shoulders, to improve your squat mechanics and front rack position. Whether you’re new to squatting or looking to break through a plateau, this class will help you move more efficiently and squat with confidence. Suitable for all levels.
WEIGHTLIFTING
Weightlifting this week is snatch. Working on the power snatch. Technique work, then a complex of snatch pull + 2 power snatch. Finishing with some heavy back squats.
The Monday Ride
Our community program is delivered via TrainingPeaks for AED 750 p/month. If you're interested to have a plan to follow, email tw@innerfight.com
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Nad al Sheeba
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Wednesday - Indoor Ride
Our community program is delivered via TrainingPeaks for AED 750 p/month. If you're interested to have a plan to follow, email tw@innerfight.com
Thursday - Endurance Strength
A strength class focused on key movements for endurance athletes to help avoid injury, build speed and develop strength.
Time: 06:30am
Location: This is a paid class session at InnerFight HQ. If you're interested to join, email winning@innerfight.com
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride. This ride always begins with 18 - 20km at 30kph before a longer segment with various formats. Expect the main group to ride around 34kph, slower groups will break off and form. Anyone is welcome to join.
Time: 04:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
Sunday - Long Run
A run where we start and finish together. Up to 2hrs long depending on people needs.
If you're interested to join, reach out to Dan Bagley, db@innerfight.com
Time: 05:29 am
Location: Common Grounds
Monday
Session: No in-person session
There is no in person LRC session today, Unlimited Clients, there is a session in your TrainingPeaks still. Enjoy!
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. Come ready to run fast and have fun.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we will be running intervals in the park. 100m on/100m recovery.
Friday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run + LRC Training Camp
This week re will be cycling through the below seqeunce:
10X
2mins @ 7PRE
1min @ 8RPE
1min @ recovery
The evening session on the LRC Training Camp will be a chilled shake out run from the hotel.
Saturday
Time: 5:29am
Session: LRC Training Camp
We have an action packed day on the LRC Training Camp, all details will be shared in WA.
Sunday
Time: 5:29am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: Long Run + LRC Training Camp
Today we will host a community long run from Common Grounds for those who are still in Dubai.
Those on the training camp in KhorFakkan we will hike at 5:29am.
Monday:
Strength:
A) 1 min max set strict pull-ups
B) EMOM x 8 Pull ups @ 30% of max set
Conditioning:
Every 5 mins x 6
2 rounds
6 Alt Single Arm Manmaker
300/250m row
Tuesday:
Strength:
A) Every 75 sec x 9
1) 16 Alt goblet cossack squat
2) 40 sec alt single leg V-ups
3) 30 sec side plank E/S
B) Every 2 mins x 6 - 3 front squat @20x1
Conditioning:
30-20-10
Assault Bike
Rest 2 minutes after each set
Wednesday:
Strength:
Deadlift Every 2:00 x 5 - 2 reps
Conditioning:
AMRAP 22
In a team of 4
2000m C2 Bike
40 Power cleans (70/45)
40 TTB
Thursday:
Strength:
A) Every 90 sec x 8 - 10 DB box step up
B) Every 2 mins x 5 - 8 Alternating Barbell Reverse Lunges
C) EMOM x 8 - M1: 20 sec Nordic Hold / M2: 30 sec Ring rows
Conditioning:
500/450 ski
5 burpee pull-ups
400/350 ski
5 burpee pull-ups
300/250 ski
5 burpee pull-ups
200/150 ski
5 burpee pull-ups
100/50 ski
Friday:
Strength:
A) Every 75 sec x 8 1 push press (1 sec pause in dip)
Conditioning:
0-16 mins
2500m/2000m row
Every 2 mins - 6 box jump overs
16-26 mins
1500m/1200m row
Every 2 mins - 6 Dual KB Front squat
26-32 mins
1000m/800m row
Every 2 mins - 6 Dual KB STOH
Have you ever found yourself thinking about how hard a workout is when you’re in the middle of it? You may not even realise it’s happening – wondering how much effort you’ve put in and whether you’ve got more left in the tank to push further.
That entire self-reflective assessment goes by another, slightly more technical name: the rate of perceived exertion (RPE).
What is the Rate of Perceived Exertion?
The most important thing to understand is that your RPE is completely subjective – it’s different for everyone based on their own fitness levels and overall capabilities.
With that in mind, RPE can be defined as a subjective measure of exercise intensity.
Using a scale from 1 to 10 (with 1 being the least effort and 10 being the most effort), an individual makes an assessment on how much effort they are putting in at that particular moment.
What Factors can Influence RPE?
Your RPE can change from day to day or even at different times during an exercise session. Generally speaking, we can split the factors into two categories, physical and psychological:
Physical:
- Temperature (heat and humidity)
- Environment (terrain and gradient)
- Time (distance and duration)
- Fatigue
Psychological
- Motivation
- External (stress levels and distractions)
- Determination
- Fatigue
Why we use RPE in Exercise and Sports
As you can clearly see, an individual's RPE is constantly changing. One of the biggest benefits of the RPE scale is adaptation: changes can be made to training sessions that account for the physical and psychological factors while still challenging athletes.
For coaches, it’s also a quick way to gauge how athletes are feeling. Taking the focus away from specific benchmarks like personal bests or race splits creates an environment with significantly less pressure. Some days, the best you can do is simply show up!
How to Implement Rate of Perceived Exertion in Training
How you use RPE in your training will ultimately depend on your goals. If the external factors risk influencing traditional metrics too heavily then the RPE scale offers a simple alternative.
It’s also a great way of communicating effort between coaches and athletes – we all know what it means when we’re told to give 10/10 effort! This is especially useful for endurance athletes who can develop their discipline IQ as there are many times when a sprint finish makes all the difference.
Final thoughts
It’s always a good idea to monitor your exercise performance as it highlights a clear path to improvement. The same goes for exercise intensity – using the RPE scale allows athletes to make adjustments in the moment that don’t negatively impact long-term goals.
Fun - Honesty - SIMPLICITY - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - Hard Work
The Monday Ride
Our community program is delivered via TrainingPeaks for AED 750 p/month. If you're interested to have a plan to follow, email tw@innerfight.com
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Nad al Sheeba
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Wednesday - Indoor Ride
Our community program is delivered via TrainingPeaks for AED 750 p/month. If you're interested to have a plan to follow, email tw@innerfight.com
Thursday - Endurance Strength
A strength class focused on key movements for endurance athletes to help avoid injury, build speed and develop strength.
Time: 06:30am
Location: This is a paid class session at InnerFight HQ. If you're interested to join, email winning@innerfight.com
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride. This ride always begins with 18 - 20km at 30kph before a longer segment with various formats. Expect the main group to ride around 34kph, slower groups will break off and form. Anyone is welcome to join.
Time: 04:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
Sunday - Long Run
A run where we start and finish together. Up to 2hrs long depending on people needs.
If you're interested to join, reach out to Dan Bagley, db@innerfight.com
Time: 05:29 am
Location: Common Grounds
Monday
Session: No in-person session
There is no in person LRC session today, Unlimited Clients, there is a session in your TrainingPeaks still. Enjoy!
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. Come ready to run fast and have fun.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we will be running intervals in the park. 100m on/100m recovery.
Friday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run + LRC Training Camp
This week re will be cycling through the below seqeunce:
10X
2mins @ 7PRE
1min @ 8RPE
1min @ recovery
The evening session on the LRC Training Camp will be a chilled shake out run from the hotel.
Saturday
Time: 5:29am
Session: LRC Training Camp
We have an action packed day on the LRC Training Camp, all details will be shared in WA.
Sunday
Time: 5:29am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: Long Run + LRC Training Camp
Today we will host a community long run from Common Grounds for those who are still in Dubai.
Those on the training camp in KhorFakkan we will hike at 5:29am.
Monday:
Strength:
A) 1 min max set strict pull-ups
B) EMOM x 8 Pull ups @ 30% of max set
Conditioning:
Every 5 mins x 6
2 rounds
6 Alt Single Arm Manmaker
300/250m row
Tuesday:
Strength:
A) Every 75 sec x 9
1) 16 Alt goblet cossack squat
2) 40 sec alt single leg V-ups
3) 30 sec side plank E/S
B) Every 2 mins x 6 - 3 front squat @20x1
Conditioning:
30-20-10
Assault Bike
Rest 2 minutes after each set
Wednesday:
Strength:
Deadlift Every 2:00 x 5 - 2 reps
Conditioning:
AMRAP 22
In a team of 4
2000m C2 Bike
40 Power cleans (70/45)
40 TTB
Thursday:
Strength:
A) Every 90 sec x 8 - 10 DB box step up
B) Every 2 mins x 5 - 8 Alternating Barbell Reverse Lunges
C) EMOM x 8 - M1: 20 sec Nordic Hold / M2: 30 sec Ring rows
Conditioning:
500/450 ski
5 burpee pull-ups
400/350 ski
5 burpee pull-ups
300/250 ski
5 burpee pull-ups
200/150 ski
5 burpee pull-ups
100/50 ski
Friday:
Strength:
A) Every 75 sec x 8 1 push press (1 sec pause in dip)
Conditioning:
0-16 mins
2500m/2000m row
Every 2 mins - 6 box jump overs
16-26 mins
1500m/1200m row
Every 2 mins - 6 Dual KB Front squat
26-32 mins
1000m/800m row
Every 2 mins - 6 Dual KB STOH
GYMNASTICS
This Tuesday, we’re focusing on handstands and handstand walks! We’ll start with strength work before moving on to balance and control while upside down, beginning from the box and progressing to the wall and beyond.
Thursday, we’re heading back to the bar for another round of Bar Muscle Ups! Whether you're chasing your first rep or fine-tuning your technique for cleaner, stronger sets, we’ve got you covered with progressions, modifications, and strength drills to help you level up. Let's go!
HYBRID FITNESS
This week's HYBRID Fitness session focuses on running intervals and then some compromised running, getting used to pushing into the run after some taxing work.
MOBILITY
Unlock better depth, posture, and comfort in your front squats with this focused mobility class. We’ll target key areas, such as the ankles, hips, thoracic spine, and shoulders, to improve your squat mechanics and front rack position. Whether you’re new to squatting or looking to break through a plateau, this class will help you move more efficiently and squat with confidence. Suitable for all levels.
WEIGHTLIFTING
Weightlifting this week is snatch. Working on the power snatch. Technique work, then a complex of snatch pull + 2 power snatch. Finishing with some heavy back squats.
Have you ever found yourself thinking about how hard a workout is when you’re in the middle of it? You may not even realise it’s happening – wondering how much effort you’ve put in and whether you’ve got more left in the tank to push further.
That entire self-reflective assessment goes by another, slightly more technical name: the rate of perceived exertion (RPE).
What is the Rate of Perceived Exertion?
The most important thing to understand is that your RPE is completely subjective – it’s different for everyone based on their own fitness levels and overall capabilities.
With that in mind, RPE can be defined as a subjective measure of exercise intensity.
Using a scale from 1 to 10 (with 1 being the least effort and 10 being the most effort), an individual makes an assessment on how much effort they are putting in at that particular moment.
What Factors can Influence RPE?
Your RPE can change from day to day or even at different times during an exercise session. Generally speaking, we can split the factors into two categories, physical and psychological:
Physical:
- Temperature (heat and humidity)
- Environment (terrain and gradient)
- Time (distance and duration)
- Fatigue
Psychological
- Motivation
- External (stress levels and distractions)
- Determination
- Fatigue
Why we use RPE in Exercise and Sports
As you can clearly see, an individual's RPE is constantly changing. One of the biggest benefits of the RPE scale is adaptation: changes can be made to training sessions that account for the physical and psychological factors while still challenging athletes.
For coaches, it’s also a quick way to gauge how athletes are feeling. Taking the focus away from specific benchmarks like personal bests or race splits creates an environment with significantly less pressure. Some days, the best you can do is simply show up!
How to Implement Rate of Perceived Exertion in Training
How you use RPE in your training will ultimately depend on your goals. If the external factors risk influencing traditional metrics too heavily then the RPE scale offers a simple alternative.
It’s also a great way of communicating effort between coaches and athletes – we all know what it means when we’re told to give 10/10 effort! This is especially useful for endurance athletes who can develop their discipline IQ as there are many times when a sprint finish makes all the difference.
Final thoughts
It’s always a good idea to monitor your exercise performance as it highlights a clear path to improvement. The same goes for exercise intensity – using the RPE scale allows athletes to make adjustments in the moment that don’t negatively impact long-term goals.
Fun - Honesty - SIMPLICITY - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - Hard Work
Monday
Session: No in-person session
There is no in person LRC session today, Unlimited Clients, there is a session in your TrainingPeaks still. Enjoy!
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. Come ready to run fast and have fun.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we will be running intervals in the park. 100m on/100m recovery.
Friday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run + LRC Training Camp
This week re will be cycling through the below seqeunce:
10X
2mins @ 7PRE
1min @ 8RPE
1min @ recovery
The evening session on the LRC Training Camp will be a chilled shake out run from the hotel.
Saturday
Time: 5:29am
Session: LRC Training Camp
We have an action packed day on the LRC Training Camp, all details will be shared in WA.
Sunday
Time: 5:29am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: Long Run + LRC Training Camp
Today we will host a community long run from Common Grounds for those who are still in Dubai.
Those on the training camp in KhorFakkan we will hike at 5:29am.
Monday:
Strength:
A) 1 min max set strict pull-ups
B) EMOM x 8 Pull ups @ 30% of max set
Conditioning:
Every 5 mins x 6
2 rounds
6 Alt Single Arm Manmaker
300/250m row
Tuesday:
Strength:
A) Every 75 sec x 9
1) 16 Alt goblet cossack squat
2) 40 sec alt single leg V-ups
3) 30 sec side plank E/S
B) Every 2 mins x 6 - 3 front squat @20x1
Conditioning:
30-20-10
Assault Bike
Rest 2 minutes after each set
Wednesday:
Strength:
Deadlift Every 2:00 x 5 - 2 reps
Conditioning:
AMRAP 22
In a team of 4
2000m C2 Bike
40 Power cleans (70/45)
40 TTB
Thursday:
Strength:
A) Every 90 sec x 8 - 10 DB box step up
B) Every 2 mins x 5 - 8 Alternating Barbell Reverse Lunges
C) EMOM x 8 - M1: 20 sec Nordic Hold / M2: 30 sec Ring rows
Conditioning:
500/450 ski
5 burpee pull-ups
400/350 ski
5 burpee pull-ups
300/250 ski
5 burpee pull-ups
200/150 ski
5 burpee pull-ups
100/50 ski
Friday:
Strength:
A) Every 75 sec x 8 1 push press (1 sec pause in dip)
Conditioning:
0-16 mins
2500m/2000m row
Every 2 mins - 6 box jump overs
16-26 mins
1500m/1200m row
Every 2 mins - 6 Dual KB Front squat
26-32 mins
1000m/800m row
Every 2 mins - 6 Dual KB STOH
GYMNASTICS
This Tuesday, we’re focusing on handstands and handstand walks! We’ll start with strength work before moving on to balance and control while upside down, beginning from the box and progressing to the wall and beyond.
Thursday, we’re heading back to the bar for another round of Bar Muscle Ups! Whether you're chasing your first rep or fine-tuning your technique for cleaner, stronger sets, we’ve got you covered with progressions, modifications, and strength drills to help you level up. Let's go!
HYBRID FITNESS
This week's HYBRID Fitness session focuses on running intervals and then some compromised running, getting used to pushing into the run after some taxing work.
MOBILITY
Unlock better depth, posture, and comfort in your front squats with this focused mobility class. We’ll target key areas, such as the ankles, hips, thoracic spine, and shoulders, to improve your squat mechanics and front rack position. Whether you’re new to squatting or looking to break through a plateau, this class will help you move more efficiently and squat with confidence. Suitable for all levels.
WEIGHTLIFTING
Weightlifting this week is snatch. Working on the power snatch. Technique work, then a complex of snatch pull + 2 power snatch. Finishing with some heavy back squats.
The Monday Ride
Our community program is delivered via TrainingPeaks for AED 750 p/month. If you're interested to have a plan to follow, email tw@innerfight.com
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Nad al Sheeba
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Wednesday - Indoor Ride
Our community program is delivered via TrainingPeaks for AED 750 p/month. If you're interested to have a plan to follow, email tw@innerfight.com
Thursday - Endurance Strength
A strength class focused on key movements for endurance athletes to help avoid injury, build speed and develop strength.
Time: 06:30am
Location: This is a paid class session at InnerFight HQ. If you're interested to join, email winning@innerfight.com
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride. This ride always begins with 18 - 20km at 30kph before a longer segment with various formats. Expect the main group to ride around 34kph, slower groups will break off and form. Anyone is welcome to join.
Time: 04:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
Sunday - Long Run
A run where we start and finish together. Up to 2hrs long depending on people needs.
If you're interested to join, reach out to Dan Bagley, db@innerfight.com
Time: 05:29 am
Location: Common Grounds
Have you ever found yourself thinking about how hard a workout is when you’re in the middle of it? You may not even realise it’s happening – wondering how much effort you’ve put in and whether you’ve got more left in the tank to push further.
That entire self-reflective assessment goes by another, slightly more technical name: the rate of perceived exertion (RPE).
What is the Rate of Perceived Exertion?
The most important thing to understand is that your RPE is completely subjective – it’s different for everyone based on their own fitness levels and overall capabilities.
With that in mind, RPE can be defined as a subjective measure of exercise intensity.
Using a scale from 1 to 10 (with 1 being the least effort and 10 being the most effort), an individual makes an assessment on how much effort they are putting in at that particular moment.
What Factors can Influence RPE?
Your RPE can change from day to day or even at different times during an exercise session. Generally speaking, we can split the factors into two categories, physical and psychological:
Physical:
- Temperature (heat and humidity)
- Environment (terrain and gradient)
- Time (distance and duration)
- Fatigue
Psychological
- Motivation
- External (stress levels and distractions)
- Determination
- Fatigue
Why we use RPE in Exercise and Sports
As you can clearly see, an individual's RPE is constantly changing. One of the biggest benefits of the RPE scale is adaptation: changes can be made to training sessions that account for the physical and psychological factors while still challenging athletes.
For coaches, it’s also a quick way to gauge how athletes are feeling. Taking the focus away from specific benchmarks like personal bests or race splits creates an environment with significantly less pressure. Some days, the best you can do is simply show up!
How to Implement Rate of Perceived Exertion in Training
How you use RPE in your training will ultimately depend on your goals. If the external factors risk influencing traditional metrics too heavily then the RPE scale offers a simple alternative.
It’s also a great way of communicating effort between coaches and athletes – we all know what it means when we’re told to give 10/10 effort! This is especially useful for endurance athletes who can develop their discipline IQ as there are many times when a sprint finish makes all the difference.
Final thoughts
It’s always a good idea to monitor your exercise performance as it highlights a clear path to improvement. The same goes for exercise intensity – using the RPE scale allows athletes to make adjustments in the moment that don’t negatively impact long-term goals.
Fun - Honesty - SIMPLICITY - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - Hard Work
Have you ever found yourself thinking about how hard a workout is when you’re in the middle of it? You may not even realise it’s happening – wondering how much effort you’ve put in and whether you’ve got more left in the tank to push further.
That entire self-reflective assessment goes by another, slightly more technical name: the rate of perceived exertion (RPE).
What is the Rate of Perceived Exertion?
The most important thing to understand is that your RPE is completely subjective – it’s different for everyone based on their own fitness levels and overall capabilities.
With that in mind, RPE can be defined as a subjective measure of exercise intensity.
Using a scale from 1 to 10 (with 1 being the least effort and 10 being the most effort), an individual makes an assessment on how much effort they are putting in at that particular moment.
What Factors can Influence RPE?
Your RPE can change from day to day or even at different times during an exercise session. Generally speaking, we can split the factors into two categories, physical and psychological:
Physical:
- Temperature (heat and humidity)
- Environment (terrain and gradient)
- Time (distance and duration)
- Fatigue
Psychological
- Motivation
- External (stress levels and distractions)
- Determination
- Fatigue
Why we use RPE in Exercise and Sports
As you can clearly see, an individual's RPE is constantly changing. One of the biggest benefits of the RPE scale is adaptation: changes can be made to training sessions that account for the physical and psychological factors while still challenging athletes.
For coaches, it’s also a quick way to gauge how athletes are feeling. Taking the focus away from specific benchmarks like personal bests or race splits creates an environment with significantly less pressure. Some days, the best you can do is simply show up!
How to Implement Rate of Perceived Exertion in Training
How you use RPE in your training will ultimately depend on your goals. If the external factors risk influencing traditional metrics too heavily then the RPE scale offers a simple alternative.
It’s also a great way of communicating effort between coaches and athletes – we all know what it means when we’re told to give 10/10 effort! This is especially useful for endurance athletes who can develop their discipline IQ as there are many times when a sprint finish makes all the difference.
Final thoughts
It’s always a good idea to monitor your exercise performance as it highlights a clear path to improvement. The same goes for exercise intensity – using the RPE scale allows athletes to make adjustments in the moment that don’t negatively impact long-term goals.
Fun - Honesty - SIMPLICITY - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - Hard Work
One-Hour Workout: Revving Your Swim Engine
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
