Too much sets to failure ?

[TT Eric]

I'm natural. So no exo GH for me

Eric

[TT Eric]

I'm thinking about switching to 5/3/1. Training is only 4 times a week, only one set goes to failure, then you do ~10 working sets of ~10reps each on assistance movements like dips and chins, not sure if they are up to failure, but all in all it's what they call 'an economy training and training like that seems like a 'break' to me. I think I have floored the gas pedal a bit too much in the last years and need to back off a little. My only concern is I can't deadlift because of my back, maybe I can give a try again but with stiff legged DL starting at a higher level like just under the knees instead of trying to go very low and hurt myself.

Not sure what you guys think of Jim's method, someone had tried it for some time ?

Eric

[cog]

Is Wendler natty now?

[TT Eric]

Lol probably not, but I don't think it's reserve for gear only, also it looks like easier vs I actually do.

Eric

[Praetorian]

I'm thinking about switching to 5/3/1. Training is only 4 times a week, only one set goes to failure, then you do ~10 working sets of ~10reps each on assistance movements like dips and chins, not sure if they are up to failure, but all in all it's what they call 'an economy training and training like that seems like a 'break' to me. I think I have floored the gas pedal a bit too much in the last years and need to back off a little. My only concern is I can't deadlift because of my back, maybe I can give a try again but with stiff legged DL starting at a higher level like just under the knees instead of trying to go very low and hurt myself.

Not sure what you guys think of Jim's method, someone had tried it for some time ?

Eric

What I have learned over the years and years is that there is no special method. The program you use works if you put some thought and heart into it. I can take a guy and put him on the 5x5 method or the 5-3-1 method and his training will completely suck. Reason being there is no heart involved, no intensity, no drive beyond what most people think is drive. I havent used anyones method since day one of training. Ive looked at multiple ways to train ie Dorians, Mentzers, Girondas, Simmons, Tate, etc and taken bits from each and developed my own.

Currently at 47 I have revised my training to be joint friendly and very efficient. I train 4 days per week and rarely go to failure but use slightly more volume and reps. More unilateral training which really helps the joints and more pre-exhaust as well. I also limit compound movements to the end of my workout and i rarely squat or deadlift anymore. One guy I have followed who is in the same boat as me is John Meadows...he has some great training ideas to keep intensity up without having to do heavy compound movements. He also doesnt dead lift or squat anymore.

P

[TT Eric]

I've been doing quite a lot of reading this week-end and from I can see, I might have done way too much sets to failure, too much intensity, too much all-in. I was reading the article posted on T-nation by Sverre Diesen and basically he's proposing a program where you only go to failure once per 3 weeks on the bench press, remaining of the time are 5 rep sets with 50-70% of 1RM. Normally I would do a dozens set to failure on the bench in that period of time, without calculating the sets to failure on DB press, dips, etc.. Many guys I've been reading lately says most people do too much sets to failure, go nowhere and should back off. I realize it's probably my case.

I do also believe there is no special method, like 5/3/1 is not the miracle routine of course, but maybe an example for me to learn from, to restrain myself from doing too much.

Eric

[Praetorian]

What people need to realize is that training changes as you age. You cannot train as you did at 25 years old now that you are 40 etc. Training is an evolution so saying you should only train to failiure once every three weeks or every workout doesnt mean anything. You need to put that into context. Young guys starting out with less then 5 years of training can train to failure much more frequently and still recover fine. As you get stronger again your training changes because moving heavier weight in essence increases intensity. So one cannot say to train to failure x amount it must be used in conjunction with where you are in regards to training. I dont need to increase my strength any longer Ive already hit weights that are heavy enough to impart serious injury at my age so my training changes. When i was young i trained every set to failure, trained 6 days per week, 3 hours per workout and grew like a weed and hit a 2000lb total in the big three lifts all raw. But if I tried to train like that now I would be in the hospital. The body can only take so much as you get older and out years of training under your belt. It is about training smarter not necessarily harder.

P

[TT Eric]

Make sense, I'm guessing at this point, since you know your body, you have to be more intuitive and listen it.

Eric

[Praetorian]

Very true!

P