Gauging proximity to failure in the bench press: generalized velocity-based vs. %1RMrepetitions- to-failure approaches Qin, Xuelin Liu, Beibei García Ramos, Amador Level of effort Monitoring Resistance training The data and materials used to support the findings of the study are available within the following link: https://osf.io/3f7rt/files/osfstorage/674f2b141ee574e084f457ad Background This study compared the accuracy of three generalized approaches for estimating proximity to failure during the Smith machine bench press: (i) the relationship between relative load (%1RM) and maximum repetitions performed to failure (%1RM-RTF), (ii) the relationship between maximum repetitions to failure and fastest set velocity (RTF-velocity), and (iii) the relationship between repetitions left in reserve (RIR) and lifting velocity (RIR-velocity). Methods Nineteen physically active men (22.9 ± 2.7 years old) with at least two years of resistance training experience participated. Their 1-repetition maximum (1RM = 86.8 ± 16.7 kg) was determined during the first session. In the second session, participants performed single sets to failure at 60% and 80% 1RM, with proximity to failure (2RIR and 4RIR) estimated using each approach. Results The RIR-velocity relationship was the only approach that did not significantly deviate from the intended RIR (errors = -0.4 to 0.6 repetitions). In contrast, both the %1RM-RTF and RTF-velocity relationships overestimated the intended RIR at 60%1RM for both 2RIR (2.9 and 5.8 repetitions, respectively) and 4RIR (2.8 and 5.7 repetitions, respectively), while no significant differences were observed at 80%1RM (errors = -0.6 to 0.9 repetitions). The RIR-velocity relationship generally demonstrated the lowest absolute errors compared to the actual RIR (1.3 ± 0.7 repetitions), with greater differences compared to the other two approaches at lighter loads and closer proximities to failure. Conclusions In the absence of individual relationships, the general RIR-velocity relationship should be used by coaches to control the proximity to failure of their athletes during the bench press exercise. 2025-04-04T08:44:05Z 2025-04-04T08:44:05Z 2025-03-25 journal article Qin, X., Liu, B. & García-Ramos, A. Gauging proximity to failure in the bench press: generalized velocity-based vs. %1RM-repetitions-to-failure approaches. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 17, 60 (2025). [https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01098-2] https://hdl.handle.net/10481/103442 10.1186/s13102-025-01098-2 eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ open access Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internacional Springer Nature