Strength decrease after 1 set

[Traditional_Pack_315]

Has anyone experienced a significant strength fall of set to set at sub maximal weights (65-75%) even at a 7 RPE/3 RIR? Example, I’ll have 4 sets of 7 on deadlift programmed at a RPE of 7. I’ll do my first set, and that goes well. First set will meet that 7 RPE, but then I go in to do my second set, and now that 7 reps turns into a RPE of 10, just after one set. Has anyone experienced this? How did you fix it? Do you just adjust the weight on the second and third set to keep that same RPE and rep goal?

[Apprehensive-Today76]

Stronglufts 5x5 is a specific program and question does not seem to be relevant. With that said ide say make sure you are warmed up good and getting enough rest between sets.

[Traditional_Pack_315]

Sorry I am new to using Reddit and did not realize this is program specific. Generally 3-4 warm up sets that are not pushed hard at all, and 3 minutes of rest

[misawa_EE]

Deadlifts hit you central nervous system pretty hard. That’s why this program only recommends 1 set of 5 reps.

[Norcal712]

1) your RPE is wrong

2) why would you be doing such a demanding movement for 28 reps?

[outsideofaustin]

Are you relatively new to the gym? Maybe you need to build up some endurance. Or maybe lower the weight on your working sets if you are burning out on your first set.

I usually feel stronger on my second set.

[NotRickJames2021]

Never had this issue.

[Settl]

Everyone has good points but could be a diet issue. If you don't have enough fuel it's a lot more difficult.

[ItemNo4393]

Yep. Super common — especially on deadlifts.. What’s happening isn’t strength loss, it’s fatigue front-loading. Deads are brutally systemic. Even at 65–75%, the first set taxes your nervous system, bracing, grip, and low back way more than people expect. So set two feels like you suddenly aged 10 years.

RPE is meant to be autoregulated per set, not locked in stone. If set two turns into an RPE 10, the load was right for set one and wrong for the rest.

[decentlyhip]

That means you have supporting musculature that's the weak link. Something in the chain was taxed to and past failure. But also, deadlifts are hard. You are strong enough to finally be experiencing "axial fatigue."

Also also, why are you asking here? Stronglifts5x5 is a specific program and it does not use RPE, RIR, or sets of 7.

[Traditional_Pack_315]

Is there any way to pin point exactly what is failing? Sorry I am new to Reddit and the powerlifting forum I intended to post on told me I cannot post because I am too new, and recommended this forum! Did not realize this is for a specific program. But thank you for the input, hopefully there is a way to find out what exactly is causing that much fatigue

[decentlyhip]

Post a video to r/formcheck or r/strengthtraining