Half reps.

[AWZ1287]

Does doing half reps build up strength for full reps sets?
Is it better to do my exercises with lighter weights and do 3x10 with full reps or do heavy weight and get 4-5 full reps per set and the other 5-6 half reps?
For instance my current bent over barbell rows. I can do 85-95lbs for 3x10 full reps. But if I increase to 105lbs I can only get half way through each set, then I drop to half reps. If I continue to do the 105lbs would my strength increase and i will be able to get to 3x10 with full reps, or am I better staying lighter and getting full rep sets till I build more strength/muscle?

[SuffolkPunch]

http://bretcontreras.com/partial-vs-full-reps-or-both/

Cliffs: full ROM is better

[oarsomefitness]

Do full reps. You can't cheat your body!

[christos_swc]

Does doing half reps build up strength for full reps sets?

Yes, but it's not always a good strategy.
For example if you can't do a pull up but can do half reps then that's a way to get stronger till you manage the full ROM.
But on an exercise where you can manipulate the difficulty to your exact liking you'd be better off doing the full ROM.
If you want to try and speed up strength progression you can at the end load the bar with a heavier weight and just pull a single rep on that, strict, explosive, whatever you can manage, to shock your body with a heavier weight and force some extra stimulation.
Just try to control the eccentric for extra growth.
Whether the price you pay in fatigue and joint stress is worth the gains is up to you to decide.

[AWZ1287]

Thanks for the help guys.
I will continue with the lighter weight.
What's a rule of thumb on when to increase the weight?

[mastersimons]

Thanks for the help guys.
I will continue with the lighter weight.
What's a rule of thumb on when to increase the weight?

A good rule to use is the 2-for-2 rule. If you can perform 2 extra reps in the last set of exercise for 2 consecutive workouts, then increase the weight.

Example:
Workout 1: Bench 225 for 3 sets of 10; able to perform 2 extra reps on last set
Workout 2: Bench 225 for 3 sets of 10; still able to perform 2 extra reps on last set
Workout 3: increase bench weight by 5-10%

[kennycroxdale]

Does doing half reps build up strength for full reps sets?

Partial Movements

They have a place in a training program.

The due to the fact that only 30% of a Full Range Movement overload the muscle in that movement, where the muscle are complete worked.

The remaining 70% of the movement is Underloaded. That means the muscle are never completed worked.

Thus, one method of ensuring the muscle is overloaded and maximally worked in a movement is by preforming Partial Movements.

Is it better to do my exercises with lighter weights and do 3x10 with full reps or do heavy weight and get 4-5 full reps per set and the other 5-6 half reps?

All of the Above.

For instance my current bent over barbell rows. I can do 85-95lbs for 3x10 full reps. But if I increase to 105lbs I can only get half way through each set, then I drop to half reps. If I continue to do the 105lbs would my strength increase and i will be able to get to 3x10 with full reps, or am I better staying lighter and getting full rep sets till I build more strength/muscle?

95 lb Rows

You are using some "Body English" to accomplished 3 Sets of 10 Reps that weight.

With that said, it is one method that allows you to overload the top end of the movement.

It has it place in training as illustrated with the...

Kroc Rows
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7jAIdoORxI

"... they're great for adding thickness and width to your upper back...
Source: Kroc Rows 101
https://www.t-nation.com/training/kroc-rows-101

Kenny Croxdale

[3SchnitzelsAday]

Yes, but it's not always a good strategy.
For example if you can't do a pull up but can do half reps then that's a way to get stronger till you manage the full ROM.
But on an exercise where you can manipulate the difficulty to your exact liking you'd be better off doing the full ROM.
If you want to try and speed up strength progression you can at the end load the bar with a heavier weight and just pull a single rep on that, strict, explosive, whatever you can manage, to shock your body with a heavier weight and force some extra stimulation.
Just try to control the eccentric for extra growth.
Whether the price you pay in fatigue and joint stress is worth the gains is up to you to decide.

IF you cant do full concentric ROM, you do full ROM eccentrics, not half ROM concentrics and eccentrics

[TheShadowMan]

With pulling exercises like the bent row, it sometimes comes down to an issue of grip. You will eventually reach a point where you can lift more weight than you can hang onto. Using wrist straps might help remedy this, as well as spending more time on the forearms.

[AWZ1287]

95 lb Rows

You are using some "Body English" to accomplished 3 Sets of 10 Reps that weight.

What do you mean by body English?

I will give the Kroc rows a try. should I be doing them instead of the barbell rows or in addition?

[AWZ1287]

With pulling exercises like the bent row, it sometimes comes down to an issue of grip. You will eventually reach a point where you can lift more weight than you can hang onto. Using wrist straps might help remedy this, as well as spending more time on the forearms.

Thanks I have been meaning to get straps.
What are some good forearm exercises, that can be done with a barbell ore bumbells?

[AWZ1287]

A good rule to use is the 2-for-2 rule. If you can perform 2 extra reps in the last set of exercise for 2 consecutive workouts, then increase the weight.

Example:
Workout 1: Bench 225 for 3 sets of 10; able to perform 2 extra reps on last set
Workout 2: Bench 225 for 3 sets of 10; still able to perform 2 extra reps on last set
Workout 3: increase bench weight by 5-10%

Thanks I will keep that in mind.

[grouchyjarhead]

Partial Movements

They have a place in a training program.

The due to the fact that only 30% of a Full Range Movement overload the muscle in that movement, where the muscle are complete worked.

The remaining 70% of the movement is Underloaded. That means the muscle are never completed worked.

Thus, one method of ensuring the muscle is overloaded and maximally worked in a movement is by preforming Partial Movements.



All of the Above.



95 lb Rows

You are using some "Body English" to accomplished 3 Sets of 10 Reps that weight.

With that said, it is one method that allows you to overload the top end of the movement.

It has it place in training as illustrated with the...

Kroc Rows
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7jAIdoORxI

"... they're great for adding thickness and width to your upper back...
Source: Kroc Rows 101
https://www.t-nation.com/training/kroc-rows-101

Kenny Croxdale

Can't rep Kenny again but this is great.

[christos_swc]

IF you cant do full concentric ROM, you do full ROM eccentrics, not half ROM concentrics and eccentrics

You can do both.
You can do half ROM and gradually increase the ROM.
Are you saying it's not going to work or it's going to hold your progress back and based on what?