Pros and cons of high set numbers?

[Jack-MA]

I would like to know what are the pros and cons of using four sets for movements like Bench Press with every set using the same weight? Note that failure cannot be safely reached due to a lack of spotter (training at home), so an HIT style of training is out of the window.

Thanks.

[Jack-MA]

Bump.

[hawkpfc2]

If you are not reaching failure on any of your sets, that is somewhat of a problem. I think it is important to hit failure at least sometimes when you lift. not all sets to failure every day but you want to do it every so often to stimulate growth. I think it's a pretty substantial drawback especially on an exercise as vital for growth as bench press.
Cheers,
Ben

[Jack-MA]

It is, so I try to cause local muscular failure on my chest and triceps by doing a set of weighted pushups afterwards. When I fall on the floor, I can roll sideways and get the weighted backpack off of my back.

[amusclehead]

pro- none

con- too much volume
- not enough intensity
- not heavy enough(the more you do, the weaker you become, so obviously your lifts suffer at the end)

[hawkpfc2]

If you were doing more sets and hitting failure on at least some of them, that would be a good thing. Amusclehead has a point and I respect him very much, but I don't fully agree with his view on that. If you get some of those sets to failure, you will probablyl achieve maximum hypertrophy. But different people gain different results from doing the same thing. Genetics. Go figure. :-)
Cheers,
Ben

[bigD]

pro- look up high volume training

con- look up overtraining

a good place to start is poliquin archives