Adaptive hypertrophy training
METHODOLOGY

Know exactly what to lift next.

On every session, Calyber runs a five-stage calibration loop: it reads the weight, reps, and effort you logged, computes your next prescription, and shows the reason behind it.

Start free

Free to start, no card required. Your 28-day calibration block adjusts from your first logged set.

One session, end to endCalibrated
Logged set
145 × 10 @ RIR 2
Estimate
e1RM 193 lb
Next target
150 × 8-12 @ RIR 1

Basis: Effort matched target. Recovery within range. Load +5 lb.

§1 · The lifters

Three lifters, one system.

GUIDED
Newer lifterClear, safe targets

What to lift, how many reps, and how hard each set should feel. No formulas to learn first.

See the loop
PROGRESSION
Intermediate lifterProgress without plateaus

When to add load, reps, or volume, based on what your last sessions actually produced.

See a worked example
AUDITABLE
Advanced lifterTransparency and control

Every input behind a prescription: prior performance, RIR, e1RM, volume range, and recovery status.

See the volume model

§2 · Worked example

Follow one decision end to end.

One exercise, one session, the full cause and effect chain. This is the actual logic, not a marketing summary.

  1. 01What Calyber asked forPrescription
    Bench Press145 lbs · 8-12 reps · RIR 2
  2. 02What you didLogged set
    145 lbs × 10 repsRIR 2
  3. 03What Calyber learnedAnalysis
    e1RM rose to 193 lbsEffort matched targetRecovery within range
  4. 04What changes nextOutputNext prescription
    150 lbs · 8-12 repsRIR 1
Decision receipt
Load
+5 lb
RIR
2 to 1
e1RM +3.4%Effort matchedRecovery ok

e1RM rose, effort matched the target, and no recovery flag fired.

Terms:

§3 · The loop

One loop, every session.

Calyber repeats the same five steps on every set you log. The output of one session becomes the input to the next.

Terms:

  1. 01
    PRESCRIBE

    Calyber sets your target weight, rep range, and effort for the session.

    145 lbs · 8-12 reps · RIR 2
  2. 02
    EXECUTE

    You log the actual weight, reps, and reps in reserve for each set.

    145 lbs × 10 · RIR 2
  3. 03
    MEASURE

    Calyber computes a fresh strength estimate from the sets you completed.

    e1RM 193 lbs
  4. 04
    CALIBRATE

    It compares the result to your baseline and checks fatigue, then adjusts load, volume, or recovery.

    +3.4% · within MAV
  5. 05
    RE-PRESCRIBE

    The next session's target is generated from the calibrated estimate.

    150 lbs · RIR 1

Step 05 feeds back into step 01

§4 · On-screen logic

The logic is on screen, not behind it.

Every step of the loop has a surface in the app. Each one shows the reason behind the number.

Bench Press
Target145 lbs
Reps8-12
EffortRIR 2
Basis: e1RM 180 · within MAV
Prescription cardEvery session opens with a target and the basis it was computed from.
Log setsLive
Set 1145 × 10 ✓
Set 2145 × 10 ✓
Set 3145 × _
e1RM193 lbs
Set loggingYou log weight, reps, and RIR. The estimate updates as you go.
Why this changed
Load+5 lbs
  • Strength estimate rose
  • Effort matched target
  • Recovery within range
Why this changedEach adjustment shows the inputs behind it, not a black-box score.
Recovery flagMGFI 0.71 · high
Next sessionload -10%
Setstrimmed
Recovery flagWhen fatigue runs high, the next session pulls load and volume back.
Next prescriptionReady
Target150 lbs
Reps8-12
EffortRIR 1
Ready before W3D2
Next prescriptionTomorrow's target is ready before you arrive.

§5 · Volume

More is not better forever.

More volume is not better forever. Growth comes from enough stress plus enough recovery. Calyber keeps your weekly sets inside the productive zone and pulls back before recovery fails.

Your prescription: Calyber keeps your weekly sets inside the MAV zone.

Schoenfeld, B.J. (2021). Science and Development of Muscle Hypertrophy (2nd ed.). Human Kinetics.

§6 · Fatigue index

How much fatigue a muscle is carrying.

Each muscle group carries a Muscle Group Fatigue Index, computed from pump rating, soreness rating, and session performance. MGFI gates deload, recovery, and volume adjustments.

InputsHigh accumulation
SorenessWorkloadPerformance
Readiness0.66
Accumulation0.75

Terms:

Show the compositeformula

readiness = (performance × 0.6) + (soreness × 0.4)

accumulation = (sets × 0.5) + (soreness × 0.3) + (workload × 0.2)

MGFI gates deload, recovery, and volume adjustments per muscle group.

Fatigue Index algorithm →

§7 · Autoregulation

How the next session adjusts.

Three pipelines run after each session: load adjustment, volume adjustment, and recovery trigger. Each pipeline has a decision threshold derived from the MGFI and the e1RM delta.

Load
e1RM trend + RIR
increase / hold / reduce
Volume
sets vs MEV-MRV
add / hold / trim
Recovery
MGFI threshold
deload / recovery session
Rule fired

e1RM rose, fatigue normal: load increased

Terms:

Show the three pipelinesrules
  • Load adjustment: raise or hold weight from the e1RM delta.
  • Volume adjustment: add or cut sets against the MAV and MRV bounds.
  • Recovery trigger: drop load and relax RIR when MGFI crosses threshold.
Autoregulation algorithm →

§8 · Trust

Why you can trust a prescription before you follow it.

Transparent calculations

Every prescription shows its inputs: load, reps, RIR, e1RM, volume range, and recovery status.

Recovery-aware progression

Calyber does not add volume when fatigue is already high. It reduces load or triggers a recovery session instead.

Built for hypertrophy

Targets sit inside research-backed volume landmarks (MEV, MAV, MRV), not generic activity goals.

Human-readable logic

You can see why a prescription changed before you follow it. Nothing is hidden.

§9 · Boundaries

What this is not.

Not a black box

Every prescription is a deterministic formula with visible inputs and outputs, not a prediction.

Not a coach replacement

It does not interpret form, injury risk, or subjective readiness.

Not magic personalization

The system knows your goals only through the rep-range and priority settings you configure.

Start with one calibrated session.

No card required. Your first block calibrates to your real performance from the first set.

FAQ

Common questions.

What is the five-stage calibration loop?answer

It is the cycle Calyber runs on every session: prescribe a target, you execute and log it, Calyber measures a fresh strength estimate, calibrates against your baseline and fatigue, then re-prescribes the next session. Each step is visible and traces back to your logged sets.

Do I need to understand the formulas to use Calyber?answer

No. Calyber tells you what to lift, how many reps, and how hard each set should feel. The formulas are there if you want to check them, but you do not have to learn anything first.

How is this different from a fixed program?answer

A fixed program runs the same plan regardless of how your sessions go. Calyber adjusts your next session from what you actually logged: it adds load when you progress, holds when you stall, and reduces volume or triggers recovery when fatigue is high.

Does the methodology replace a coach?answer

No. It does not interpret form, injury risk, or subjective readiness. It calculates load, volume, and recovery decisions from your logged training data and shows the reason behind each one.

References

Citations

Schoenfeld, B.J. (2021). Science and Development of Muscle Hypertrophy (2nd ed.). Human Kinetics.

Helms, E.R., Fitschen, P.J., Aragon, A.A., Cronin, J., Schoenfeld, B.J. (2015). Recommendations for natural bodybuilding contest preparation: resistance and cardiovascular training. J Sports Med Phys Fitness, 55(3), 164-178.

Epley, B. (1985). Poundage Chart. Boyd Epley Workout. Lincoln, NE: Body Enterprises.