To failure

[Gloomy-bearr]

Should I be doing my last set of an exercise to failure or just stick to 6-8 reps
How does this work? I don't completely understand
Thanks

[TopHatPlus]

hey it all depends on who you talk to, i definitely try to do as many as i can can, but i limit myself on my warm ups to save energy for my max. And when i get to my max i have a target goal and when i do a rep and i know that i cannot do at least 90% of it without assistance i usually rack it, i have found when you get over 200 lbs on the bar bell that playing with the weight can cause injuries >_< It all depends on what your trying to achieve, a lower weight until failure will provide better tone and more endurance, where less reps and more weight builds muscle faster. I take the rule of thumb that form is better then weight, so when i would rather to 2-3 really clean reps with proper form then try for a 4th where i am leaning and loosing my form.

[SylviaM]

I liked these two articles on "training to failure".When you get a chance,have a look.

http://www.criticalbench.com/weight_training_failure_muscle.htm

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/training_to_fail

[Gloomy-bearr]

Thanks, I'll have a read and see what they say

[SylviaM]

Thanks, I'll have a read and see what they say

Gloomy-bear,just curious here.Do you train all muscle groups to failure?

[Gloomy-bearr]

Nah ive just been doing 3x7s then move on to the next exercise
I'm trying to build muscle and strength so from what I've read that set and rep range is good

[O-Train]

I agree with the Critical Bench Article. Low volume, high intensity. However for this to work optimally a person needs to have been training for at least a couple years I think and exercise selection is very important. If you aren't doing much in the gym (in terms of volume) the exercises you use become even more important.

[Gloomy-bearr]

Thanks o-train well I've been in the gym seriously for 4 month now trying to add weight everytime I go
I think I'll try to push myself on the last set and see how it goes
If I pushed myself on every set though I think I'd burn out pretty fast

[O-Train]

The only reason I mentioned length of time training is because generally people who are new to training can't push themselves to the same level as more trained individuals (there are mental and physical reasons). So initially it is more optimal for a person to use more volume because the desired level of intensity can't be reached. For myself the last set is definitely done to failure and a lot of the time I will add in a drop sets. So for example 225x6+185x4. In my opinion it creates the desired stimulus in a shorter period of time. However as I mentioned initially this will work better as you become better adapted to training.


Thanks o-train well I've been in the gym seriously for 4 month now trying to add weight everytime I go
I think I'll try to push myself on the last set and see how it goes
If I pushed myself on every set though I think I'd burn out pretty fast

[Gloomy-bearr]

Ya I know what you mean I've done the drop set on my bench just to give it one more clean formed go
Thanks bud can't wait to hit the gym today

[Talo]

I don't go past positive failure anymore.

1) I don't need to anymore.
2) Easier on my joints.

[Praetorian]

As O said beginner and intermediate athletes need to push to failure....because even doing that does not equate to the same intensity an advanced athlete is capable of. The idea of burning out as a beginner is nonsense...their capacity for volume is immense because of the fact that their intensity level is much lower.
P