Not Going To Failure??

[UA_Iron]

I generally go to failure on my heaviest sets. I have seen good results by doing this and have no reason to change it. The last sets till failure sets a benchmark for me and then I know what I need to accomplish. I do feel like I need to go till failure to get a good workout like someone else stated.

 

[tzan]

Here's the skinny:

That one last rep when you hit failure causes only as much growth as any non-failure rep, but incurs much much more fatigue than any non-failure rep.

You gain nothing but lose the ability to lift sooner.

Valid point, but if your not going to failure, how do you know when your one rep away?? If your constantly training a FEW reps under what you can do, don't you think it will only slow you down??

 

[Omegasox]

Here's the skinny:

That one last rep when you hit failure causes only as much growth as any non-failure rep, but incurs much much more fatigue than any non-failure rep.

I had always thought that the last few reps were the best for you. That's why I hate not having a spot because I can't shoot for those last reps that really burn.

Just an assumption on my part, though.

 

[Synpax]

Well, here's the key for me. I do the Needsize thing.

If I don't have failure on the last 5x5, next time I increase the weight by two increments. If I do have failure, I increase it by one increment. If I had failure in an earlier set, I platue for a session or two and then switch to 5x3 for a few sessions and continue increasing weight, and then drop back to above the platue area for 5x5.

 

[Lord_Suston]

I find training to failure pointless and dangerous for myself. On heavy compound lifts my stabilizers will fail before my core muscles, by going to failure I take out all the supporting muscle and leave myself open to injury, muscle pulls, and dislocation. I mean who here hit failure on squats above 315, not many I know of, it would be too dangerous IMO. ALso all the microtrauma cause by failure takes a lot of time to heal and causes a lot of scar tissue. The build up of scar tissue will slow down contrction speed and hinder smooth muscle contraction. Honestly I think progressive loading is a great tool for growth, by alway going slightly up in weight you can let your body adapt to weight with ease with no breakdown in form.

 

[tzan]

Well, here's the key for me. I do the Needsize thing.

If I don't have failure on the last 5x5, next time I increase the weight by two increments. If I do have failure, I increase it by one increment. If I had failure in an earlier set, I platue for a session or two and then switch to 5x3 for a few sessions and continue increasing weight, and then drop back to above the platue area for 5x5.

What do you do on your other lifts(not the 5x5's)??

 

[collegiateLifter]

Take a look at powerlifters. Most never train to failure but are damned enormous.

I can't speak for other groups but the WSB guys train very near failure.

 

[casualbb]

Valid point, but if your not going to failure, how do you know when your one rep away?? If your constantly training a FEW reps under what you can do, don't you think it will only slow you down??

No, because if each rep is equally productive, it makes more sense just to stop and do another set after you've rested.

For instance, I'll use DC as an example.

You do one rest-paused set of 13 reps. Muscles are incredibly fatigued because you've gone to almost failure a whole bunch of times, even MORE fatigued if you go to negative failure.

But for all the grunting and effort you only got 13 reps out of it, meaning the muscle has been exposed to the weight 13 times.

It would be less fatiguing and equally productive to do 1 set of 7 and another set of 6. Or even better if you did 4x5 because you did more total reps.

Then instead of going home and feeling destroyed, you feel tired yet energized. Soreness is also decreased.

 

[Debaser]

I can't speak for other groups but the WSB guys train very near failure.

Agreed, many powerlifters train to failure or very close.

Olympic lifters would be a better example.

 

[SquatPukeSquat]

Here's the skinny:

That one last rep when you hit failure causes only as much growth as any non-failure rep, but incurs much much more fatigue than any non-failure rep.

Sounds logical, but does this really make sense? Verily, this would lead one to logically conclude that a set of 30 pound curls to failure (let's say, reached at 10 reps) is as productive as two sets of 30 pound curls, one to 5 reps, the other to 5. or perhaps, do one set of 30 pounders for one rep, rest, another set for one rep, until you hit your ten sets. you can get the same effect by following this approach, if the previously mentioned "logic" takes affect. Therefore, Casualbb has it right in my opinion.