Rate of perceived exertion

Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) is a subjective scale that measures how hard you feel your body is working during physical activity. It typically ranges from 0 to 10 or 6 to 20, where higher numbers indicate greater effort, heavier breathing, and more muscle fatigue. RPE helps individuals gauge exercise intensity without needing equipment, allowing for personalized pacing and effort management. It is useful for adjusting workouts to prevent overexertion or undertraining, and it reflects both physical sensations and mental perception of effort during activity.