Who Trains To Failure?

[Squats]

Who trains to failure? I know a lot of people do, but I would like to see results from the poll.

[Mike750]

Yes. And by failure of course I mean concentric failure where I cannot complete a full rep with form. I sometimes fail every set, but more recently have been trying to only fail the last set of an ecercise and stop 1 or 2 short for the other working sets.

[aiwass]

Concentric failure.

[HoopMadness]

I don't train to failure..I terminate the set immediately when form and technique starts to suffer. Also, to quote Dr.Squat, failure leads to failure, and success begets success. Failure is not neccessary for optimal results.

[Squats]

READ: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=634720

[NecroSavanT]

I used to go to failure, but now I don't. Don't see much difference in the results, though.

[Wang Chung]

My goal for now is to complete 8 reps for 3 or 4 sets on each exercise, but I choose a weight where I can only do about 5-7 on my final set. So for that particular set, and sometimes on the second-to-last, yes, I go to failure.

[iron_on_my_mind]

I most certainly train to concentric failure. Every exercise, every set. Nearly every workout. Forced reps and partials included.

It is taxing, but very satisfying. It requires an adjustment period at first, but it becomes quite manageable in time. Requires alot of rest and plenty of food. Intermediate/advanced trainees will require more than a single set to failure per exercise. 3 is the average.

The CNS-stress/burnout issue is galactically overrated.

[ShreddedShruggin]

I go to failure on every set.

-Grimface

[failuretogain]

I go to failure on every set.

-Grimface

same here so i probly go to failure over a 100 times a week

[Hola Bola]

I dont understand how people can just stop their set without getting tired... Unless its a warmup, I knock out as many reps as I can, ALWAYS.

[GeeMo]

I just dont feel right if I leave the gym feeling like I could have done more.

[GOP]

Concentric failure for me

[Snap87]

sorry im noob, but what is Concentric failure?

[W8isGR8]

sorry im noob, but what is Concentric failure?

When you can't push/pull the weight up on your own.

[powerlifter70]

I never train to failure and have made some great strength gains....however I train for strength in powerlifting.

[MrSinister]

never...

[Defiant1]

I used to on all sets, then some sets, now from what I've learned about the nervous system I don't do it at all or very rarely.

My results are BETTER now, and I can train with WAY more frequency.

[W8isGR8]

I used to on all sets, then some sets, now from what I've learned about the nervous system I don't do it at all or very rarely.

My results are BETTER now, and I can train with WAY more frequency.

Your mom trains to failure

[Defiant1]

Your mom trains to failure

Hell no she trains Waterbury style.

Right now she it blasting her lats 6x per week.

[W8isGR8]

Hell no she trains Waterbury style.

Right now she it blasting her lats 6x per week.

Grandma does 10x3

[mike_d]

never on purpose...

[Dominik]

I used to on all sets, then some sets, now from what I've learned about the nervous system I don't do it at all or very rarely.

My results are BETTER now, and I can train with WAY more frequency.

^^^ What D1 said. It's a more efficient way to train. Get more done. Less neural fatigue. Reduced risk of injury since you're in full control of the weight. Superior for strength gains*.

*And the more weight I can handle with my strength training, the more weight I can use with my higher rep bodybuilding training, which for me equates to faster progress.

[aqua-beowulf]

^^^ What D1 said. It's a more efficient way to train. Get more done. Less neural fatigue. Reduced risk of injury since you're in full control of the weight. Superior for strength gains*.

*And the more weight I can handle with my strength training, the more weight I can use with my higher rep bodybuilding training, which for me equates to faster progress.

^^^^^^ What he said. I rarely train to failure (on purpose)... but if I use it... I'll save it for the last set of an exercise. Like on the 5x5 program I'm using, if I complete that fifth rep of that fifth set with ease... I'll continue to knock out reps until I reach concentric failure. Since I work out alone, going to total failure is not an option.

[deserusan]

Sometimes yes and sometimes no. You should train to stimulate the muscles. A lot of times it isn't necessary but it doesn't hurt to incorporate every once in awhile.

[HoosierBoy]

^^^ What D1 said. It's a more efficient way to train. Get more done. Less neural fatigue. Reduced risk of injury since you're in full control of the weight. Superior for strength gains*.

*And the more weight I can handle with my strength training, the more weight I can use with my higher rep bodybuilding training, which for me equates to faster progress.

I've actually had superior strength gains from training to failure (concentric failure).

[Dominik]

I've actually had superior strength gains from training to failure (concentric failure).

Great, then keep doing it. Do whatever gets results for you. I've seen the opposite. And as I'd say to anyone who asks whether or not you should go to failure for strength, definitely don't take my word for it, ask powerlifters what they do.

I like to look at it this way: reaching RM, whether it's at 5 reps or 10, or 8, or 3, or 1, is reaching your maximum with a given resistance. Let's call it 100%; on a tachometer it'd be 'redline.' It's not something you want to be doing every set or every workout--if you're training for strength--because it's clearly a waste of resources. By doing the bulk of your training below 100% or "redline," stopping 1-2 reps shy, you're more efficiently managing your resources so you can peak at the right times.

You set PRs when you're neurally "excited" rather than "inhibited" or "fatigued," essentially feeling fresh and not burned out. And if you're always training to failure, it becomes more difficult to reach your peak due to the accumulation of greater levels of neural fatigue.

[W8isGR8]

Great, then keep doing it. Do whatever gets results for you. I've seen the opposite. And as I'd say to anyone who asks whether or not you should go to failure for strength, definitely don't take my word for it, ask powerlifters what they do.

I like to look at it this way: reaching RM, whether it's at 5 reps or 10, or 8, or 3, or 1, is reaching your maximum with a given resistance. Let's call it 100%; on a tachometer it'd be 'redline.' It's not something you want to be doing every set or every workout--if you're training for strength--because it's clearly a waste of resources. By doing the bulk of your training below 100% or "redline," stopping 1-2 reps shy, you're more efficiently managing your resources so you can peak at the right times.

You set PRs when you're neurally "excited" rather than "inhibited" or "fatigued," essentially feeling fresh and not burned out. And if you're always training to failure, it becomes more difficult to reach your peak due to the accumulation of greater levels of neural fatigue.

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to _Dominik_ again."

[danishabs]

In the weightroom, I'm constantly failing

And I'm gaining muscle because of it. HOOYAH

[HoosierBoy]

Great, then keep doing it. Do whatever gets results for you. I've seen the opposite. And as I'd say to anyone who asks whether or not you should go to failure for strength, definitely don't take my word for it, ask powerlifters what they do.

I like to look at it this way: reaching RM, whether it's at 5 reps or 10, or 8, or 3, or 1, is reaching your maximum with a given resistance. Let's call it 100%; on a tachometer it'd be 'redline.' It's not something you want to be doing every set or every workout--if you're training for strength--because it's clearly a waste of resources. By doing the bulk of your training below 100% or "redline," stopping 1-2 reps shy, you're more efficiently managing your resources so you can peak at the right times.

You set PRs when you're neurally "excited" rather than "inhibited" or "fatigued," essentially feeling fresh and not burned out. And if you're always training to failure, it becomes more difficult to reach your peak due to the accumulation of greater levels of neural fatigue.

Agreed, but when I say I'm training for strength, I don't mean trying to be a strong lifter.