diff --git a/client/src/pages/home.tsx b/client/src/pages/home.tsx
index 402fd5b..2720ede 100644
--- a/client/src/pages/home.tsx
+++ b/client/src/pages/home.tsx
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ function getDefaultWorkoutValues(): InsertWorkout {
   return {
     workoutDate: new Date().toISOString().split('T')[0],
     goal: "",
-    rpe: 1,
+    rpe: 5,
     feel: "N",
     choIntakePre: "",
     choIntake: "",
@@ -424,7 +424,7 @@ export default function Home() {
                       onOpenChange={(open) => setSection("core-metrics", open)}
                       hasData={
                         !!watchedValues.goal ||
-                        watchedValues.rpe !== 1 ||
+                        watchedValues.rpe !== 5 ||
                         watchedValues.feel !== "N" ||
                         watchedValues.trainerRoadRpe !== undefined
                       }
diff --git a/client/src/test/hooks/use-form-persistence.test.ts b/client/src/test/hooks/use-form-persistence.test.ts
index 25a287a..2c249ea 100644
--- a/client/src/test/hooks/use-form-persistence.test.ts
+++ b/client/src/test/hooks/use-form-persistence.test.ts
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ const EIGHT_HOURS_MS = 8 * ONE_HOUR_MS;
 const defaultValues: InsertWorkout = {
   workoutDate: "2026-01-01",
   goal: "",
-  rpe: 1,
+  rpe: 5,
   feel: "N",
   choIntakePre: "",
   choIntake: "",