Understanding how to use Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scales properly is fundamental for strength and conditioning professionals. Although RPE charts are ubiquitous in gyms, training rooms, and athletic and human peformance laboratories, many practitioners unknowingly modify the scales, alter anchor descriptors, or apply them under conditions outside the original validations. When this occurs, the collected data no longer truly represent RPE but instead become arbitrary "effort scores" lacking scientific validity. This article presents a brief historical perspective in the development of RPE scales, outlines the validated scales to be employed, and provides basic instructions for proper implementation. In doing so, strength and conditioning professionals will have both a theoretical grounding and a practical roadmap for integrating RPE reliably into the evaluation of perceptual stress with exercise and training.
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