Estimating reps in reserve means figuring out how many more repetitions you could do in a set if you kept going. It’s a useful skill for anyone who wants to train smarter and avoid pushing too hard or not hard enough. The key is practice and paying attention to how your body feels during and after each set.
Start by picking a weight that feels challenging but not impossible. Do a set and stop before you reach complete failure. After you finish, think about how many more reps you could have done if you had to. Was it just one more? Maybe two or three? At first, your guess might be off, but that’s okay. The more you practice, the better you’ll get.
One way to improve is to keep a training log. Write down how many reps you did and how many you think you had left in the tank. Over time, you’ll start to notice patterns. For example, if you always feel like you have two reps left when you stop at a certain weight, you’ll know that’s your usual reserve.
Another tip is to pay attention to your breathing and muscle fatigue. If your breathing is heavy and your muscles are burning, you probably have fewer reps left. If you feel strong and steady, you might have more reps in reserve. Learning to read these signals helps you make better guesses.
It’s also helpful to try different exercises and rep ranges. Some movements feel harder than others, even with the same weight. By testing yourself across various exercises, you’ll get a clearer sense of how reps in reserve work for your body.
Don’t worry if you’re not perfect at estimating right away. It takes time and experience. The more you train and reflect on your efforts, the more accurate your guesses will become.
Sources
https://smart.dhgate.com/mastering-reserve-ratio-calculations-a-step-by-step-guide-for-accurate-banking-analysis/
https://finquery.com/blog/adjustment-reclass-accounting/
https://www.onepeloton.com/blog/leg-lifts
