I always rep to failure on the last rep of a set, but I'm not seeing the kind of results I would expect. Lately, I've been able to LESS reps! Would it be advisable to actually cut my reps back in order to grow? I've heard it advised both ways, but since my reps are now suffering, I have to ask.
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Thread: Is repping to failure good?
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01-09-2013, 10:42 AM #1
Is repping to failure good?
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01-09-2013, 11:03 AM #2
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01-09-2013, 11:12 AM #3
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01-09-2013, 11:13 AM #4
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01-09-2013, 11:14 AM #5
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01-09-2013, 11:20 AM #6
When you 'think' you can't do another rep, or when you actually come to complete failure and the weight comes crashing down on you, or when your buddy thinks you can't get it anymore and helps?
I rarely use a spotter when using a bb so I rarely go to failure on a bb movement. Rather I know my body pretty well and I can judge when I'm at my limit and there I 'generally' stop.
Are you talking about free weights or machines? I go to absolute failure on machines and db's nearly always but rarely with bb's.
There is also that point where you would fail but you cheat to get the rep. I'm not above cheating on some movements but won't on others.
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01-09-2013, 11:21 AM #7
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01-09-2013, 11:24 AM #8
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01-09-2013, 11:25 AM #9
On Bench Press, I've been doing 3 sets of 8 reps. I succeeded at that last time, but the following time 4 days later, the second set ended at 7 sets, and the third set at only 6.
Since I pretty much hit failure the first time when I hit the 8 rep mark on the 3rd set, I figured I had come up with a good system and was going to stick with a straight set of 8 reps each. The second time I did it, I was expecting to possibly hit 9 reps. Going backward was really disappointing! The only thing I could think of that I did wrong was going to failure at the end.
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01-09-2013, 11:26 AM #10
- Join Date: Jan 2008
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you may want to post your workouts,..not enuff info. But as far as failure I dont usually take my sets there. Maybe,..and thats a strong Maybe on one exercise per muscle group. i.e. Chest, ill maybe take the last set of incline bench to a failure rep. I learend theres no real need to go to failure every exercise,..and with this knowledge Ive grown.
2009 NGA Masters Pro Bodybuilder and Athlete.
"I dont stop when Im tired,..I stop when Im done"
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01-09-2013, 11:29 AM #11
- Join Date: Dec 2012
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So there's immediately something to look at. How about you try 3 - 5 reps of heavier weight for the first couple of sets? You should also be resting for longer than 4 days - just because you lifted less, that doesn't mean you've become weaker. You probably just hadn't fully recovered.
Accept difference. Not indifference.
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01-09-2013, 11:29 AM #12
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01-09-2013, 11:37 AM #13
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01-09-2013, 11:38 AM #14
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01-09-2013, 12:49 PM #15
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01-09-2013, 01:02 PM #16
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01-09-2013, 01:04 PM #17
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01-09-2013, 01:06 PM #18
- Join Date: Sep 2008
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01-09-2013, 01:08 PM #19
I was going to failure. But my recovery was sucking.
So now I go to about 1-2 reps before failure. It takes a while to figure out your bodies non failure limits, but you'll start to recognize it.
But nothing wrong with going to failure on a couple of exercises, just make sure it's the very last set.PR: Bench: 100kg x 1. Squat: 140kg x 1 Dead lift: 160kg x 1 (on my journey to 180kg)
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01-09-2013, 01:12 PM #20
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01-09-2013, 01:20 PM #21
Repping to failure is fine if that is your preference, some lifters don't feel like they are accomplishing anything if they don't go to failure. If your reps are declining than there is a problem in your recovery, when was your last deload? Repping to failure requires more recovery try these solutions.
1) take a week off when you return your reps should increase if they do than begin deloading every 4-6 weeks.
2) increase your carb intake your glycogen levels could be depleted(are you losing weight)?
3) increase sleep time if possible either get a nap or go to bed earlier of sleep later.
good ;uck
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01-09-2013, 01:22 PM #22
I rarely if ever leave a rep on the table. I shoot for 'failure' on almost every set. (failure defined as lifting to the point where I can not do another). I select a weight appropriate to get the rep range I want.
RAW lifts
635 Dead http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mATRBZ0gwdg
585x7 Dead reps http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yf2ZkdNNNQ
420 Bench (paused) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ2_Q-TLIB8
535 Squat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdgVaiTi4-8&feature=youtu.be
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01-09-2013, 01:29 PM #23
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01-09-2013, 01:30 PM #24
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01-09-2013, 01:51 PM #25
- Join Date: Aug 2006
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this.
Next time in the gym try to truely go until you just cant go anymore. by that i mean do your sets, say 3-4 sets hard. after this do as many more sets as you can until you just cant physically pick the thing up anymore. Not just reps but do a set, wait a minute and then do another, like that. Do fewer reps if you have to until you get there.
I would be willing to bet that you are vastly underestimating what your true failure threshold is.
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01-09-2013, 01:52 PM #26
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01-09-2013, 02:06 PM #27
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01-09-2013, 02:22 PM #28
I go to failure - meaning I cant possibly lift it with correct form with enough weight that allows me to get to aprox 8-12 reps per set. Unless Im doing 5x5 then its enough weight so failure begins on 5th rep on each set, or sometimes sooner.
Meaning on leg days I have to hold railing to get down the stairs
On chest and arm days I cant reach my arm around me to put the seat belt on when I get in my car
On back days I dont have sex in missionary position
Why would you do it any other way? Assuming you are healthy and are looking to grow.
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01-09-2013, 02:22 PM #29
- Join Date: Sep 2008
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- Posts: 6,988
- Rep Power: 16041
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01-09-2013, 02:35 PM #30
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