Run your numbers...

Pavel has a line in Power to the People that "...intensity is not a turned around baseball cap (points for the movie reference) - it is a mathmatical formula (% of your 1 rep max - or rep max)". So I decided to sit down and run my numbers:

Bench -
1 rm = 320
70% = 225
75% = 240
80% = 256
85% = 272
90% = 288
95% = 305

Squat-
1 rm = 500
70% = 350
75% = 375
80% = 400
85% = 425
90% = 450
95% = 475

Deadlift-
1 rm = 560
70% = 392
75% = 420
80% = 448
85% = 476
90% = 504
95% = 532

What does all of this mean? That I spend a lot of time at some pretty high percentages. I don't even consider reps below 495 to be worthwhile with my deadlift and I always want to be over 405 in my squat and I work my bench at high %s.

Time to get back to the grand old cycling method and work from low to high on the percentages and high (for me) to low on the volume. This is layed out in very clear detail in Coan's book - classic cycling based on peaking for a meet.

The squat cycle I have planned will take care of the squat and I have a deadlift plan as well and the bench will be restructured to fit.
Stepping back and looking at the numbers instead of perceived exertion is necessary.