nmuriqi

Going until failure isn't what causes growth. In other words you don't have to consistently work at your max to get an effective workout. If growth is your goal it will actually be less effective to work at your max all the time because Routine Bout Effect (RBE) will kick in pretty quick and you won't be causing meaningful damage to the muscles.

Now you say it feels like you didn't do anything at the end of the workout with less than your max. You're right, but what you didn't do isn't necessary to do in order to get results. When you work to failure you get an intense workout, but intensity isn't what determines growth. How much damage you do to your muscles does have a determining role in growth, and your muscles adapt very quickly to a given load. If you can't significantly increase the weight, which you can't if you're always working at your max, you won't get the best results you can.

Thing is you don't have to work at your max to cause that damage. So if you start lower and raise the weight you do the damage necessary and by increasing the weight you take steps to overcome RBE.

I'm coming in the gym, i'm coming at home, i'm coming in front of 25,000 people...it's fantastic!

CowPimp

You don't have to work at your max to acheieve gains, but it certainly works. At least, it has worked for me so far.

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Mudge

Feel very very free to cycle your weights, powerlifters and bodybuilders dont always train above 70% 1RM and they dont always go to failure either.

Cycle cycle cycle.

If I feel I can put up with high volume I do it, when I feel I can workout heavy I do it, when I feel I need to slow things down and lighten things up, I do it.

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