RP Strength Podcast The Fatigue Lie: Low Reps Aren't Always Better
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Oct 29, 2025 Explore the intriguing debate on the balance between low and high rep training. Learn how different types of fatigue, including metabolic and neurological, affect both beginners and advanced lifters. Discover why 10-15 reps often yield the best results while managing sustainability. The hosts share insights on the psychological toll of maximal efforts versus high-rep workouts. Plus, catch a recap of the latest Olympia highlights, showcasing standout physiques and the unpredictable nature of competitive bodybuilding.
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Different Rep Ranges Cause Different Fatigue
- Different rep ranges produce different types of fatigue: metabolic, neurological, and connective tissue stress.
- University studies often measure metabolic fatigue in untrained subjects, explaining apparent contradictions with advanced lifters' experience.
Heavy Low-Reps Produce Long-Lasting CNS Fatigue
- Advanced lifters report low-rep heavy training produces a distinct, long-lasting nervous-system fatigue.
- That central fatigue can persist for days and limits how often heavy lifts can be repeated.
Beginner Clients Handle Low Reps Easily
- Nick described beginner clients finding low-rep sets easy while high-rep sets truly challenge them.
- That practical observation supports the idea that absolute load matters for perceived fatigue.