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External load influences internal load in resistance training (RT). The purpose of the present study was to compare the total volume-load, perceptual and stress responses during three different RT protocols. Twelve resistance-trained men completed three different RT protocols with the back squat and bench press exercises: (1) power (POW) (5 sets of 6 repetitions at 50%1RM, 2-min of rest), (2) hypertrophy (HYP) (5 sets-to-failure at 75%1RM, 2-min of rest), and (3) strength (STR) (5 sets-to-failure at 90%1RM, 3-min of rest). Volume-load (kg × reps.), session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE), training impulse (TRIMP; reps. × sRPE), cortisol, immunoglobulin A (IgA), lactate, and creatine kinase (CK) were assessed before and/or after the sessions. HYP was the most demanding session in terms of volume-load ( p  < 0.001), TRIMP ( p  < 0.001), cortisol ( p  = 0.001), lactate ( p  < 0.001), and CK ( p  = 0.001). Despite POW exhibited a greater volume-load than STR ( p  = 0.016), the latter exhibiting a greater sRPE ( p  < 0.001), and a greater post-session CK ( p  = 0.05). However, the TRIMP of STR and POW were not statistically different (152 vs. 260 AU; p  = 0.089). These specific responses could be meditated by the presence of muscular failure. When pooling all the sessions, significant correlations were revealed among external and internal stress markers ( r  = 0.35-0.80; p  ≤ 0.05). The use of TRIMP could be recommended as a simple and valid monitoring tool which integrates into a single parameter the internal and the external loads of RT sessions.