Josh

Hi all, is it necessary / recommended to go to positive failures in some or all sets? What is the benefit and disadvantage of going to failure? When (or for what goal) is this method best used?

- Josh

silencer

Supposedly by going to positive failure you shall be using almost the full capacity of the muscles at your disposal, this then Stresses the muscles to a further extent causing them to tear internally. With proper nutrition they should repair to become bigger and stronger to help cope with the next time you stress them. From the huge range and amount of articles I have read.. it would definately be recommended.
It is mainly using to build muscle, bulking.

bludevil

A possible disadvantage to going to failure is over-training. IMO, I think trainig to failure is a good thing though.

Prince

I agree, you really do not want to go to complete positive failure every work-out, or eventually you will overtrain.

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Josh

Thanks for all the replies. Follow up questions:

1. So going to positive failure is recommended when the goal is bulking. When the bulking phase is done (for instance, cutting or maintainance phases) then it is not advised to go to failure. Is this conclusion correct?

2. When bulking, is it recommended to go beyond positive failure, that is by using forced reps, static contractions, negatives, even partial reps and rest-pause? I've read somewhere that these methods are for increasing intensity, so that after using these methods we can easily increase the weights used for normal or positive failures, or go pass pletaues. Is this true?

- Josh

silencer

I personally, tend to recover from positive failure probably a lot quicker then other people, possible due to my age (18). Therefore I am able to train with it everytime.



I have read recently in Max-OT that forced reps are not recommended, I forgot why though.. something like depleting too much energy or something. .. ..

be careful that is how I messed up my joints... make sure it is all done with PROPER form, if you can't manage 6-8 sets with proper form then bring the weight down...I can't emphasise Form enough

Depending on your age, Maintaining a constant increase of intensity can lead to overtraining, yet it all depends on how many times you go to the gym per week as well as the appropriate nutrition and the supplements you are taking as well as the amount of sleep and stress you are recieving...

I suppose it is all about experimentation.. some things work better for others, and 'practise makes perfect'. It is most likely that with extensive training over a couple of years should make you aware of what Works and what doesn't for each individual..
This doesn't only apply to training, but Nutrition and Supplements as well.. Know your body