What do you do when your body says it's done?

[letsrun4it]

Ok so today I was feeling really strong in the gym, put up some weight that I haven't in quite awhile. But after 5 sets on the bench...I was toast. My first set was 12 reps at 225 and my last set was 1 rep at 225. I did a few sets at really high weight for me (275) and my pecs were just shot.

At this point what should I do? I did some work with dumbbells and then went home, I mean...what were my other options? Incline benching 155? That seems sad.

 

[petpre61]

if your plan was to do chest and tris and you felt like toast after the bp then it was a good idea to go. u could have done a few sets of dips maybe.

 

[Sassy69]

Kinda seems like the "volume" concept is in play here - if you've done weights that are a huge bump in what you've done recently, or you haven't lifted in a while - the conditioning aspect is missing - so I guess you'll start out strong & then crap out quickly. At that point, if there's nothing left, there's nothing left. Maybe a couple burnout sets of something that won't drop on your face if you do hit "done" before you're ready... You've lifted several sets at much higher weight- your total volume has probably equalled what you would do if you were doing your regular workout around your regular weight level?

There's always abs or calves if you feel the need to keep going.

 

[Tweakle]

If you tried doing all those sets to failure, then yes you crap out and need to take an early bath. Increasing your work capacity is important but lots of sets with full intensity = no results.

Unless you believe you can't overtrain on AAS in which case carry on

 

[letsrun4it]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the help. I think it was a result of having been doing most my sets recently at 225/245 for more reps and this time doing less reps at 275, just wore me out. Glad to know when I'm shot I can go home

 

[Sassy69]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the help. I think it was a result of having been doing most my sets recently at 225/245 for more reps and this time doing less reps at 275, just wore me out. Glad to know when I'm shot I can go home

Building your body is all about a nice balance between tearing down & recovery. If you do too much of one or the other, there's no progress. The law of diminishing returns.