Something simple but easily forgotten.....
Max effort work is important; but don't discount the importance of volume in the 70-85% range. It builds a foundation for hitting the higher % PRs.
Whenever I'm setting up training percentages for clients and err on the side of "too light"; they've always gotten stronger.
I first learned this concept from Jim Wendler, and as I've continued to train and compete, have realized just how true this is time and time again. Any time I've swallowed my pride and dropped my training percentages (for work sets), I've always hit PRs later as a result. I've seen this in my own lifts (and my lifts that have stalled as I've focused too much on going heavy and not enough on volume); and in my client's lifts. One example is my client Emily; who has been doing reps for squat in the 65-80% range the past several weeks; and just hit a PR triple for Squat at 305x3:
