A few questions before I begin HST...

[Ballistics]

1. What are the standard views about training to failure? I believe you don't go to failure in your HST reps. But what if I'm on set 2 and can't make it to my 15th, 10th or 5th rep (depending on whether I'm on the 15, 10 or 5 RM workout)? Do I complete one rep before I fail, or do I attempt to do the rep I know I'm going to fail on? What is the official HST procedure on this?

2. When setting up my 15, 10 and 5 RM increments, if I choose an increment of 5 kg, what do I do when the first few days of the workout fall below 1 kg? For example, I may have a 15 RM of 10 kg for a particular exercise. If I go down by 5 kg for 5 days, it would go 10 kg, 5 kg, 0kg, -5kg, -10kg. Would I simply assign 5 kg to the first 3 days or am I doing something wrong?

[bigchris37]

Let me say first I'm beginning my first HST cycle, so get another opinion before you accept mine as fact. I'm pretty sure I can answer one of your questions though.

1. If you're failing on set 2, you calculated your 15 RM wrong (or 10RM, 5RM, depending on the day). The first week at least should be relatively easy. You should be able to push the weight up, pull the weight up, etc., because it should be much less than your max. Now, if its one of your last exercices and you are tired, that may be another thing. But from what I've read, you do what you can. So if this happened, yes, you'd be lifting until failure.

2. I really don't know the kg system. But if your weights are too low, maybe you should start with a beginner 3x5 first to increase some of your strength. As for assigning weights for each exercise, this article covers that and so much more. Give it a read:

bodybuilding.com/fun/ridgely6.htm