Thread: Training to failure

Only from a safety standpoint in my opinion..If you don't have a spotter and you attempt a rep you don't have the strength for, you're in trouble... Also it might be possible to over-extend yourself going to failure all the time. A break here and there is probably necessary, or mix it up with a few weeks of non-failure training.

not in my book but there are dinks that would say otherwise just as long as your volume isnt to high you should be fine.

I asked this exact same question yesterday in a PM to Mudge. I'll post it up if that's ok Mudge?

Opinions differ on this, but there is a balance between how hard you train and how much volume you do. I used to do low volume, and to failure on almost every set, that is how I like to train rather than 2 hours of pussy weights and no failure.

Some will go to failure on the last set only, no matter the volume. HIT is rather like this, absolute failure through use of statics and negatives, but very very low volume and even training frequency.

I prefer to train hard, if you dont train hard how do you expect to break through sticking points? Someone who doesn't train to failure, I just can't see them getting very far. If the body is not challenged, it has no reason to continue breaking PRs (personal records).

If you feel overtrained then perhaps on every set is too much for you, or you need less overall volume. That is the only risk of constant failure is overtraining.

--------Mudge's reply to me through PM

Me personally, I like going to failure and then do some forced reps.

Hit gets r done for me. choose a weight that you cant do more than 6-8. usually i hit a negative on 6.

when i negative at 9 i up the weight.


J

i prefer to stick to a specific number of reps and increase the weight each set. so if my rep range is 8 and im doing flat barbell, my working sets will go 225, 275, 295.
of course i could do more than 8 with 225, but i save that strength for the next two sets. if i was to go balls to the wall with 225 i might get 15 reps, but then when i get to the heavy weights i will not get the reps i want.

i believe this type of training has triggered the most growth for me.

Originally Posted by TheCurse

i prefer to stick to a specific number of reps and increase the weight each set. so if my rep range is 8 and im doing flat barbell, my working sets will go 225, 275, 295.
of course i could do more than 8 with 225, but i save that strength for the next two sets. if i was to go balls to the wall with 225 i might get 15 reps, but then when i get to the heavy weights i will not get the reps i want.

i believe this type of training has triggered the most growth for me.

yea, cumulative fatigue works the best for me also.

Training to failure is an optimal way to induce growth. Intensity builds muscle. For myself, it's the best method I've used to get stronger and bigger.

I do both. Currently I train to failure. But I've trained for a long without failure. There's a special trainings-system called ILB. It's a bit like HST, and works totally without failure. You're increasing weight every week in submaximum rep intervall. It worked pretty good to me. But after training without real failure for a long time, you get bored.

Originally Posted by furion joe

Training to failure is an optimal way to induce growth. Intensity builds muscle. For myself, it's the best method I've used to get stronger and bigger.

muscle grow in response to tension. Intensity is not the only way to increase tension.

Although I wouldn't goto failure all the time unless you follow a very low volume routine, if it works, the it works. However, you may want to implement periods of very low intensity training to prevent overtraining of your central nervous system.

If I do a moderate to high volume routine, then I prefer the cumulative fatigue approach. For example, I find a weight with which I can perform 3 sets of 8 repetitions, but I am failing, or very nearly failing, only on the very last set.

I follow the same technique as "TheCurse" does. My max is around 225. So I start out with 2 warm-up sets of 135 at 10 reps a piece. Then I slap on 185 and do that 6 times. I could probably do 8-10 reps of that but I save it. After 185 I go to 205 and do that 3 times. Again I could probably do 4 or 5. I then put on 225 and do that 1 to 2 times.

Originally Posted by P-funk

muscle grow in response to tension. Intensity is not the only way to increase tension.

Can you explain this statement, Funk. I'm a little slow.

Originally Posted by Doublebase

Can you explain this statement, Funk. I'm a little slow.

what do you mean? The statment is pretty cut and dry. Muscle grow in response to tension. that tension does not always have to come in the form of greater intensity. For example, take 100lbs on the bench press and go through the ROM, or even just the eccentric portion, really slow. You are increasing tension without a large amount of weight (intensity). Just like how most BB'ers train.

so the more weight=more tension=more muslce growth???

Originally Posted by Doublebase

so the more weight=more tension=more muslce growth???

sure, it could.

but I was saying:

slower reps= more tension= muscle growth

I've never trained to failure and I get great results. I always have a set number of sets and reps and weights for each exercise before my workout. If I complete it, I add weight for the next time. If I feel like I have the energy to add more weight right then and there, I do it. I only do 3 sets of 2, so it really doesn't take much time to add the weight and do a couple more reps. That's the beauty of low volume, high intensity training.

I think thats kinda cool. i personaly do what curse does trya nd add weight each time and hit a ceartin amount of reps. but if you like going to failure each time thats pretty dope. I heard that if you hit a heavy weight 4-6 times that makes you get stronger. i dont know i just read this somewhere maybe someone can back it up.

I'm currently using Dogg Crapp training and everything except for Deads and Squats, bent over rows and T-bar rows are done to absolute failure.

Originally Posted by dAMvN

I think thats kinda cool. i personaly do what curse does trya nd add weight each time and hit a ceartin amount of reps. but if you like going to failure each time thats pretty dope. I heard that if you hit a heavy weight 4-6 times that makes you get stronger. i dont know i just read this somewhere maybe someone can back it up.

You can get stronger in any rep range if you use progressive resistance. However, the greater the intensity used (As in a percentage of your 1RM), the greater the neural adaptations and therefore strength gains. That is why beginners gain strength so rapidly. Their bodies are highly inefficient at recuriting muscle fibers. Resistance training changes that quickly.

Originally Posted by Tough Old Man

I'm currently using Dogg Crapp training and everything except for Deads and Squats, bent over rows and T-bar rows are done to absolute failure.

Aw, squats and deadlifts are my favorite exercises to hit failure on! I can understand why you don't though. Hehe.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

You can get stronger in any rep range if you use progressive resistance. However, the greater the intensity used (As in a percentage of your 1RM), the greater the neural adaptations and therefore strength gains. That is why beginners gain strength so rapidly. Their bodies are highly inefficient at recuriting muscle fibers. Resistance training changes that quickly.




Aw, squats and deadlifts are my favorite exercises to hit failure on! I can understand why you don't though. Hehe.

No it's cause Dogg Crapp training uses a rest / pause type of training. You would be susceptible to lower back injuries if you went to failure using his system.

Originally Posted by Tough Old Man

No it's cause Dogg Crapp training uses a rest / pause type of training. You would be susceptible to lower back injuries if you went to failure using his system.

I do rest-pause failure sets with those lifts too. I just make absolutely sure to keep a neutral spine.

Originally Posted by P-funk

yea, cumulative fatigue works the best for me also.

Ditto. I never go to failure on every set, at least not on purpose. Seems like overtraining.

i am looking to fail on the last 1-2 reps of the last 1-2 sets of each exercise i do. usually do 8's or 5's.

Originally Posted by P-funk

sure, it could.

but I was saying:

slower reps= more tension= muscle growth

people overlook tension and is one of the reasons they dont get anywhere. I go to failure on every set but make sure I emphasise the negative portion of the rep.
I also do suppersets to create more intensity even when I bulking I can actually get better muscle gains with them.

Originally Posted by Tough Old Man

No it's cause Dogg Crapp training uses a rest / pause type of training. You would be susceptible to lower back injuries if you went to failure using his system.

hey tough Iv always been curious about this doggcrapp guys training you got any links or anything you can e-mail me.

Originally Posted by durk

hey tough Iv always been curious about this doggcrapp guys training you got any links or anything you can e-mail me.

http://www.bbforums.com/showthread.php?t=3111