When you guys suggest........

[tommboy]

When you guys suggest to do pyrmading reps of 8, 6, 4, 2, do you add 5 pounds of weight for each set? For example 150 x 8 155 x 6 160 x 4 etc. etc. I have seen people do that and then seen people not do that. Which one do you guys do when you are suggesting it to someone.... thanks

 

[LoneTree]

You add enough weight that brings you close to failure in each set.
Weight increase would be different in different people.
The pyramidal method that I use is:
Warm up: 15 reps to failure.
Increase weight: 10-12 reps to failure.
Increase weight: 8 reps to failure.
Increase weight: 6 reps to failure.
Same weight. 6 reps.

 

[rbtrout]

Agreed. Depending upon the exercise, no rest in between. If you're doing tri push downs and have a workout partner, have them move the pin. Frequently, I'll do 10-8-6-4 increasing the weight and then backup to 10 reps, lessening the weight. Killer burn.

 

[lilsuperman]

or you could try this... 10 8 6 5 3 1 3 5.... add five each time.... then get close to max.... then lower the weights...

 

[b fold the truth]

You add enough weight that brings you close to failure in each set.
Weight increase would be different in different people.
The pyramidal method that I use is:
Warm up: 15 reps to failure.
Increase weight: 10-12 reps to failure.
Increase weight: 8 reps to failure.
Increase weight: 6 reps to failure.
Same weight. 6 reps.

When I used to train for size...if I hit failure on a 15 rep set...I could not get the 2nd set even if it was the same weight used...for 12 on the 2nd set.

Hitting failure takes a lot out of most people...if they are really hitting failure.

B True

 

[big4life]

My warmups are never to failure. If I'm going to failure it's part of my working weight.

 

[blut wump]

I'd always save my failures for the heaviest weight I'm going to handle. Like b_fold mentions, going to failure takes a lot out of you and I prefer to have everything available for my heaviest sets. If I'm then going to continue going to failure, I'd likely reduce the the weight for later sets unless I'm prepared to take big rests.

I'm assuming that by going to failure you mean the stage where, simply, the weight wins the battle with gravity rather than the state where the agony and willpower of going on gets to be too much.

 

[LoneTree]

I'd always save my failures for the heaviest weight I'm going to handle. Like b_fold mentions, going to failure takes a lot out of you and I prefer to have everything available for my heaviest sets. If I'm then going to continue going to failure, I'd likely reduce the the weight for later sets unless I'm prepared to take big rests.

I'm assuming that by going to failure you mean the stage where, simply, the weight wins the battle with gravity rather than the state where the agony and willpower of going on gets to be too much.

I go to actual failure in my last set.
In prior sets, I stop when I know I can only do one more rep.

 

[dutchman063]

I go to actual failure in my last set.
In prior sets, I stop when I know I can only do one more rep.

Or 2.... you can do alot of work with your sets prior to your last set without going to total failure.....and getting the most out of your last set to failure does wonders for your confidence and well being...