Your PRs VS Your Best Set
Your best numbers and your best sets may or may not be the same sets.
I view a 405×20 squat as something I will hit. Mentally no issue. I’ve taken 5rm’s to 20 reps before.
I’ve hit 315×20.
Yet the more I thought about it the more I came to the conclusion that none of my current lifetime PR squat sets are actually my best set.
They are not the ones I’m most proud of, or the ones where I put in the most effort to get it done ie where I dug deep to get it done.
So best set would be defined as what you retain pride from due to the effort involved.
Squatting? I’d say my best set was 6½-7 years ago, nowhere near recent.
It was the first time I hit 225×20.
At the time this was around bodyweight. I considered BWx20 to be a landmark.
I wanted to quit early in the set. My hands went numb. I went into that mental place where “if I don’t finish these reps I’ll regret it for life”, and continued dispite all the discomfort.
Where I legitimately laid down for a solid 20 minutes before stripping the plates, grabbing my bag, and leaving still unsure of my ability to drive home safely.
Your best numbers aren’t always your best from a mental intensity standpoint.
Food for thought.
-J