Squatting to failure

[muscledog95]

When one squats to failure do you stop when your form breaks. Ill get to lets say the 8th rep and my upper body starts to lean forward. When do you all stop on a squat set?

 

[Nonerz]

I typically try to do 2 or 3 more than I think I can do...but I think I can maintain pretty good form. Especially when I see so many knuckleheads in the gym doing 1/4 squats! What a joke. But really, if your form is really breaking down badly, it's not worth it to continue and risk injury. Making small corrections along the way is something that I personally do (keep myself in check), so if you are slightly leaning forward but your legs still have gas in them, I say make the adjustment and get a couple more in...just my 2 cents!

 

[Shark01]

I don't free squat to failure because of the risk of getting out of balance. Other ways you can train to failure fairly safely include hack squats, and smith machine squats.

 

[coolcolj]

better to save the reps for another set, do more sets instead of pushing out all the reps in fewer sets.

You'll make better gains and recover much faster

 

[Nonerz]

You'll make better gains and recover much faster

Doesn't that depend on your goals? muscledog95, what is your goal?

 

[coolcolj]

My legs are getting stronger and bigger, what else does one train for?

 

[endpoint]

My legs are getting stronger and bigger, what else does one train for?

to tone, or spot reduce......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

 

[coolcolj]

well you won't be squatting to do that

 

[Nonerz]

My legs are getting stronger and bigger, what else does one train for?

for me...to get stronger and leaner...to help me tussle if I need to...to take me on a long run...to improve my batting average...to relieve stress...to look better naked...

I could go on...

 

[coolcolj]

you could summerise all of those in 2 words, bigger and stronger

 

[muscledog95]

have stronger legs for JUDO. I tried out the 5x5 and it was working but i cant last those 5 sets now cuz my body takes a beating during class.

 

[Nonerz]

do more sets instead of pushing out all the reps in fewer sets.

I could be wrong, but I was under the impression that if you are strength training, you would increase your poundage and reduce the number of reps/sets. Have I been training for the wrong goal?

 

[coolcolj]

try 8x3 with the same weight, with 3-5 mins rest between each set. More rest when you tire

 

[muscledog95]

I was thinking on trying DC style. Doing one or two sets to failure..couple times a week. Any thoughts. This is strictly for functional use only

 

[coolcolj]

I could be wrong, but I was under the impression that if you are strength training, you would increase your poundage and reduce the number of reps/sets. Have I been training for the wrong goal?

well that is one way sorta, that's kinda old school though.

if the reps are low, you need to do more sets to make up the same amount of work. You can gain strnegth with moderate weights move explosively for low reps - 3-5 with high number of sets. That is how I train. Modrate weights moved explosively will generate more force than heavier wieghts moved slowly.

think about the total number of reps, rather than sets. 18-30 total is the magic number. ie 8x3, 10x2, 5x5, 6x4 etc

it's a lot more complicated than that though.

 

[muscledog95]

CoolCOLJ..so what would u suggest given my situation, and how many times a week would u do it.

 

[Girlwonder]

try 8x3 with the same weight, with 3-5 mins rest between each set. More rest when you tire

when you said 8x3 that means 8 sets of 3 reps each right???

 

[coolcolj]

CoolCOLJ..so what would u suggest given my situation, and how many times a week would u do it.

what is your situation? Goals? session breakup etc? exercises?

when you said 8x3 that means 8 sets of 3 reps each right???

only for the big compound moves, you do your usually 2-3x-6-10 with your extra assitant exercises.

 

[TheOak84]

When one squats to failure do you stop when your form breaks.

you stop when you have a heart attack or just fall straight on ur back

 

[louden_swain]

Re: Re: Squatting to failure

you stop when you have a heart attack or just fall straight on ur back

exactly, or lose consciousness

 

[muscledog95]

Strength to be able to overpower my opponent.Thats it in a nutshell I know i should just shut up and squat.lol

 

[coolcolj]

Do you know your 1RM?

 

[SofaGeorge]

I do everything to failure. DC isn't to failure... it is PAST failure.

The only way to squat to failure is to do it in a cage.

 

[muscledog95]

nope.....my guess is around 280 to 300...but thats just a guest. I really need to add deadlift as well.

 

[Dirty Workout]

I do everything to failure. DC isn't to failure... it is PAST failure.

The only way to squat to failure is to do it in a cage.

I guess you were refering to his 1x4-8, 1x20 leg routine. I disagree that this is past failure. Take squats for example. the first heavy set you do on your own and stop when you fail. The second high rep set is basically a realization that the failure point on legs with say a weight you can get 10+ times is very high. You can actually go to 20+ although you cross a pain threshold you never crossed in gym before

Past failure is forced reps with a partner IMO

 

[endpoint]

my legs (well quads) were their strongest and most powerfull when i squatted 8 sets of 2-3, every second day.

I just waved the load usually medium - heavy - light. and going by feel. If the heavyday seemed beyond reach i would lower the weight. The light day might have been really light

I would take a break for a couple days if i needed it.