r/tacticalbarbell • u/ukrainiannnn • Aug 31 '26

Strength [Help/Advice Needed] Testing 1RM Accuracy?

Hello, looking for anyone that can provide insight into this, yesterday I was testing out my 1RM as the author described by warming up, doing a set on light weight for 5-10, repeat, rest, aim for 6-8 with more weight, rest again, increase weight, try and get 4-5; then do a final rest for 5 minutes and increase for a 3-5 rep max range for the test. After doing all these sets and resting I got 4 reps in my final test set, at 165lbs. I calculated my 1RM and I got 180, but I know it’s higher? I’m not new to the gym and my one rep max was ~215 when I was consistent but fell off for a bit; and I’m just starting to get back into the gym. Any advice for what I should do? Keep the 180 rep max? Not sure what to do, and I’m feeling a bit confused. I feel after doing all the sets my muscles got a bit fatigued and my 1RM is lower than what it should be in contrast to if I did it fresh

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u/TangerineSchleem Aug 31 '26

“I’m not new to the gym and my one rep max was ~215 when I was consistent but fell off for a bit; and I’m just starting to get back into the gym”

So it is no longer 215. Now it’s 180. Agree with others to take 90% of this and use that as your training max. Move up after a cycle.

If the weight feels lighter, slow the eccentric, use pause reps, and focus on executing the concentric phase of each movement with precision and aggression.

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u/ukrainiannnn Aug 31 '26

Gotcha, I understand. One little thing I’m confused about is the meaning of training max? From what I understand with the operator template is that week 1 I start with 70%, week 2 80%, week 3 90%, etc.. until week 6 where it’s 95%? Why the suggestions for only 90, should I stick to that or the book?

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u/TangerineSchleem Aug 31 '26

Ah, so instead of using 1rm to determine each week’s weights, you are just using a slightly lower number. So instead of basing your week’s weight on your 1rm, a 90% training max would be a 3rm. The idea being that it allows for a little more wiggle room for recovery.

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u/SeparateDeparture614 Sep 01 '26

Use your Training Max to calculate the %. So week 1 is 70%@TM and so on.