Anyone Re-do 1RM Test and it was LOWER!?!

[LucyFan]

I have read the forums, looked all over the website, and couldn't find an answer, so I took matters into my own hands and this is what I did...

I finished an STS Rotation. I am going to start the undulating periodization rotation on Friday. I figured I would redo my 1RM test, reprint my cards and go.

Much to my upset, my 1RM results were lower!! My theory is this: When I first tested, I took lighter weights and always clocked in somewhere between 17 - 20 reps on each exercise. This time, knowing I was stronger, I took heavy weights and clocked in 8-12 reps on each exericise, resulting in lower 1RM numbers.

Do you think the formula is skewed towards lower weights, higher reps? Does anyone actually KNOW the formula?? It truly was not the result I was looking for. I know I am stronger and I don't trust my new results, quite frankly.

 

[meowracer]

I figured out part of the formula when I did my 1RMs but don't remember now what it is - but no, it would not be skewed toward lower weights. When did you finish the rotation? And what had you done prior to retaking the 1RMs? It could be that your body had not properly recovered and therefore, you were not able to lift as heavy. I finished last week. Then I decided to do kettlebells b/c I had really missed them. Well, OUCH! If I were to take 1RMs now , they would be lower.

 

[gettingfitmom]

I thought you were suppose to pick a weight you could do 8-10 reps w/ good form. i.e. biceps curls w/ dumbells: i could do 9 reps w/ 20 lbs. (hammer curl, double arm) without losing my form. I put this in and got a 1RM of 25 lbs. I think if you used a heavier wight the second time you would have a lower 1RM

 

[spyrosmom]

From my understanding the 1RM test is most accurate if you are using wts that you hit failure in the 10-12 rep range. This gives the most accurate 1rm. For instance, I could do dumbbell curls w/ 3 lbs until the the cows come home, but I could only get 25lbs curled up 2 or 3 times. Either way its going to give a different number. I think it works best if you hit failure at about the 10 rep mark. The more you get off the mark, the more it skews the formula. Your 1RMS prob weren't wrong, per se, the 1st time around, but were a bit light, bc you used lower wts/high reps to test.

SNM can probably explain it better.

Nan

 

[Dela]

Your original results were skewed by doing such high reps, as the others mentioned, you are looking to fail around 8-10 reps. If you fail past 12/13, you really should re-do the test.

 

[thebrain]

I agree with the responses posted thus far. Also, I re-did some of the exercises that I was unfamiliar with when I did STS the first time. Now that I have a better idea of proper form for those exercises, the 1RMs are way different....some are higher and, yes, some are lower!

Aimee