Disclosed example material testing systems include: a test frame; a base configured to grip a first position on a test specimen; a crosshead configured to be coupled to a second position on the test specimen, and to be actuated to transfer testing force to the test specimen during a material test; an actuator configured to actuate the crosshead along the test frame and to apply the testing force to the crosshead; and control circuitry configured to: control the actuator to apply the testing force to a specimen via the crosshead, such that the testing force does not exceed an upper limit; and while a distance between the crosshead and the base is at least a threshold distance, reduce the upper limit on the testing force from a value of the upper limit while the distance between the crosshead and the base is less than the threshold distance.