Today's discussion........

[louden_swain]

I don't like straight sets. When I perform an exercise, I always increase the weight each set. I typically use 2 or 3 sets for upper body muscles and 4 for leg muscles. I am one of those trainers who will train to failure. I hate stopping at a certain rep, when I know that I have more in me. I like to take it to the extreme, that is why I like low sets. I also like to get a couple of forced reps on my last heavy set.

 

[spatts]

Perhaps we need to discuss why failure is associated with size. Power lifters never train to failure.

 

[jeremys]

I agree with kingjohn..lighter sets and jumps in weights that arent so big help me get ready for a heavier weight..i find that if the jump is over 20-30 when warming up with progressively heavier sets, im not ready for my work sets

 

[SteelWeaver]

I aim for a certain rep range, then just lift til I can't anymore. If I got a few more reps than I was aiming for, I add weight, to stay within the target rep range. If I only got, like, one more, I leave the weight as is, then lift til I can't anymore. This usually works out to one or two reps less than the preceding set, but sometimes I'll get the same number, in which case I know I have to work harder on my first set next time, or increase the weight.

 

[The Shadow]

Perhaps we need to discuss why failure is associated with size. Power lifters never train to failure.

Lead off then.....hehehhe

 

[needsize]

I gotta disagree with corns original point. The cornerstone of my mass building routine is the 5x5 system, or one of it's variations, and the point of the system is to use the same weight for all your sets of 5, but then add weight for the next week and do it all over again. This approach has put the last 30lbs of mass on my frame

 

[The Shadow]

then you were NOt going to failure on your first set.....

 

[vinylgroover]

I can't disagree with your results Needsize, but to do 5 x 5, after adding warm ups, you must be doing quite a few sets in your workout.

 

[needsize]

then you were NOt going to failure on your first set.....

You're right, if any set is to failure, it's just the last one. The growth seems to happen because I can continually add weight for a given period of time.

vinylgroover, it isn't really a lot of sets. My working sets are usually around 9 per bodypart, and like I said, at least 4 of the first 5 sets arent to failure, but I do take a lot of time warming up

 

[louden_swain]

I train a lot like Dorian Yates. I train to failure so I can truly see where I am strength wise. When it comes time to train for the next workout, I will add weight. Here is an example how I train:

For the last set:

Workout 1 - Incline Barbell Presses 300lbs x fail at 5
Workout 2 - Incline Barbell Presses 305lbs x fail at 4 + 2 forced
workout 3 - Incline Barbell Presses 305lbs x fail at 5
Workout 4 - Incline Barbell Presses 310lbs x fail at 4 + 2 forced
Workout 5 - Incline Barbell Presses 310lbs x 5
Workout 6 - Incline Barbell Presses 335lbs x 3 negatives

If my strength starts to stagnate after a period of time, I will change exercises and use weights where I can fail at higher reps 8-12.

I keep a training log to monitor the weights I use. I think training to failure recruits tons of muscle fibers, therefore you require less sets. Thats my opinion and what works for me. I think when you use a 5 x 5 program, you are actually able to get at least 8 reps for the first set, then 7 for the second, and etc. When it comes to squats, I will get as many reps as possible, then I will use the rest pause method to force out a few more. Sometimes, on my last set, I will put on 225lbs and will squat for 4 to 5 minutes straight just to shock the lower body. I believe that Tom Platz did something similar, except he squatted for 10 minutes straight .