Who does/doesn't go to failure on every set?

Just_Shruggin · 10-12-2005, 01:08 AM

Just wondering what everyone does....I usually go to failure on every single set, but i'm thinking about changing that...If i do 3 sets of an exercise, i'll stop 1 or 2 shy of failure on the first 2 sets, and go all out on the last set. What's everyone's opinions?

-Shruggin

aqua-beowulf · 10-12-2005, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just_Shruggin

Just wondering what everyone does....I usually go to failure on every single set, but i'm thinking about changing that...If i do 3 sets of an exercise, i'll stop 1 or 2 shy of failure on the first 2 sets, and go all out on the last set. What's everyone's opinions?

-Shruggin

I rarely go to total muscular failure anymore. That would require a constant spotter to be done effectively on a lot of exercises, and I personally believe it would fry your CNS after a while. I generally stop when I know I cannot get another rep without assistance... so like a rep from failure, I guess you could say. Since I use a power rack for almost everything, I do occasionally keep going until I fail, but I don't do it on a consistent basis.

LaggingBiceps · 10-12-2005, 01:41 AM

i go to "failure". i think its really 1 rep shy of it because i dont have a spotter and i never want to take the chance of trying to get that 1 extra rep.

LatsMakeTheMan · 10-12-2005, 02:33 AM

I go until I know I can't get another. But I don't attempt that last one.......not often, anyway. Maybe near the end of the workout I might do it once or twice.

**EME** · 10-12-2005, 02:34 AM

I pick a weight that should put my point of failure within my target rep range for a particular exercise.

For instance, let's say my goal is to hit 3 sets of 6-10 reps on Dumbbell press.

I'll pick a weight that should get me as close to the top end of my target rep range as possible, without going over. ( Kind of like the Price is Right.

)

If I get 9, cool.

If I get 10 on the first set, I stop there for that set.

If I get less than 10 on either of the next sets I will keep the same weight for my next training day, and work until I get three sets of 10.

When I get three sets of 10, I take the weight up an amount that should put me back around three sets of 6.... and I'll start working toward three sets of 10 again.

So, to answer your question,..... if I get my goal reps, on the first set.... I don't continue repping until I can't get any more... I go for my goal reps on set two, and set three also.

If I get my goal reps on all three sets.. I end it there, and then take the weight up the next workout.

My rep scheme may change on different exercises... maybe it's 7,5,3 in pyramid fashion.. or maybe it's 3 sets of 12-15... but the premise is still the same.

I do have a few exercises where I purposely plan on going to failure.

An example is when I do drop sets for leg extensions and curls...

I try to get about 10 on the first set... then immediately drop the weight in half and go to failure... then drop the weight in half again, and go to failure again...

For most exercises though, I try to rely on a planned rep goal that is part of a bigger master plan to progressively move up in weight over time.

I feel this carefully mapped out plan of progressively working to increase your training resistance is the real key to building muscle, rather than just going to failure on every set.

As with almost all successes in life.. you have to have a solid plan to get you from point A to point B, and beyond.

- EME

**johnsbod** · 10-12-2005, 03:04 AM

I use rep ranges the same way as EME. For example, currently I'm using 6-8 reps for incline dumbell press. If I get 8 reps on my first set I stop. On my last set if I fail before 8 reps I keep the same weight for next time. If I make it to 8 reps, I stop there and up the weight the following workout.

**powerman2000** · 10-12-2005, 03:04 AM

My current routine and volume only allows me the ability to hit failure on the last set of each exercise. I train too fast to hit failure on every set. It would take too long to recover from every set if they were all to failure, which would slow me down.

**bubba g** · 10-12-2005, 04:20 AM

I go to failure on all sets aside from warmup sets... It is what works best for me... I do almost everything in a power rack because I workout by myself.

Just_Shruggin · 10-12-2005, 11:52 AM

Great answers guys, I particularly liked EME's way...I'm going to try that for a few weeks and i'll let everyone know what i think.

-Shruggin

W8isGR8 · 10-12-2005, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aqua-beowulf

I rarely go to total muscular failure anymore. That would require a constant spotter to be done effectively on a lot of exercises, and I personally believe it would fry your CNS after a while. I generally stop when I know I cannot get another rep without assistance... so like a rep from failure, I guess you could say. Since I use a power rack for almost everything, I do occasionally keep going until I fail, but I don't do it on a consistent basis.

Bingo, bango!

AnImLiZtIk · 10-13-2005, 11:05 AM

going to failure + time + cell tech = huge

W8isGR8 · 10-13-2005, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnImLiZtIk

going to failure + time + cell tech = huge

BOOOOOOO!

AnImLiZtIk · 10-13-2005, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W8isGR8

BOOOOOOO!

bOO YOU! WE ALL know cell-tech is better than food. :rmad:

**Peaked_18** · 10-13-2005, 07:55 PM

I go to positive failure each set most the time.

Depends on the type of training though.

pammiejoe6 · 10-13-2005, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EME

I pick a weight that should put my point of failure within my target rep range for a particular exercise.

For instance, let's say my goal is to hit 3 sets of 6-10 reps on Dumbbell press.

I'll pick a weight that should get me as close to the top end of my target rep range as possible, without going over. ( Kind of like the Price is Right.

)

If I get 9, cool.

If I get 10 on the first set, I stop there for that set.

If I get less than 10 on either of the next sets I will keep the same weight for my next training day, and work until I get three sets of 10.

When I get three sets of 10, I take the weight up an amount that should put me back around three sets of 6.... and I'll start working toward three sets of 10 again.

So, to answer your question,..... if I get my goal reps, on the first set.... I don't continue repping until I can't get any more... I go for my goal reps on set two, and set three also.

If I get my goal reps on all three sets.. I end it there, and then take the weight up the next workout.

My rep scheme may change on different exercises... maybe it's 7,5,3 in pyramid fashion.. or maybe it's 3 sets of 12-15... but the premise is still the same.

I do have a few exercises where I purposely plan on going to failure.

An example is when I do drop sets for leg extensions and curls...

I try to get about 10 on the first set... then immediately drop the weight in half and go to failure... then drop the weight in half again, and go to failure again...

For most exercises though, I try to rely on a planned rep goal that is part of a bigger master plan to progressively move up in weight over time.

I feel this carefully mapped out plan of progressively working to increase your training resistance is the real key to building muscle, rather than just going to failure on every set.

As with almost all successes in life.. you have to have a solid plan to get you from point A to point B, and beyond.

- EME

ok so if you have a weight ready to try 3 sets of 10 and you get all 10 no problem on the first set....do you increase the weight right then and there and then continue to do the next 2 sets? or do you keep the weight but increase the next time you workout?

stupid question i know...but ive been doing low set and low reps (5x5...6x4...) for so long i think its time for me to change....
when i do my sets i pick a weight that will take me ALMOST to failure and i use it the entire exercise....im thinking i need to change this..hahaha

**powerman2000** · 10-13-2005, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pammiejoe6

ok so if you have a weight ready to try 3 sets of 10 and you get all 10 no problem on the first set....do you increase the weight right then and there and then continue to do the next 2 sets? or do you keep the weight but increase the next time you workout?

stupid question i know...but ive been doing low set and low reps (5x5...6x4...) for so long i think its time for me to change....
when i do my sets i pick a weight that will take me ALMOST to failure and i use it the entire exercise....im thinking i need to change this..hahaha

pammie, do you know what periodization is all about?

**powerman2000** · 10-13-2005, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubba g

I go to failure on all sets aside from warmup sets... It is what works best for me... I do almost everything in a power rack because I workout by myself.

Thats smart bro, cause without taking your muscles to failure you are not stimulating/damaging the maximum amount of fibers to influence the most hypertrophic response.

Most ppl don't know that training a muscle, like biceps, and doing BB curls doesn't automatically activate every fiber in your bicep with every repetition starting with the first rep. With each rep closer to failure, more and more muscle fibers are activated to keep the lifting going until they are all spent, ATP is gone, and you finally achieve muscular failure.

**bubba g** · 10-13-2005, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerman2000

Thats smart bro, cause without taking your muscles to failure you are not stimulating/damaging the maximum amount of fibers to influence the most hypertrophic response.

Most ppl don't know that training a muscle, like biceps, and doing BB curls doesn't automatically activate every fiber in your bicep with every repetition starting with the first rep. With each rep closer to failure, more and more muscle fibers are activated to keep the lifting going until they are all spent, ATP is gone, and you finally achieve muscular failure.

Exactly It's all about the O...lol if you are not Overloading the muscle you are wasting your time.
I should say if you are not completely overloading your muscle you wont be getting optimal results.

10-12-2005, 01:08 AM	#1
Just_Shruggin Amateur Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 68 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 4	Who does/doesn't go to failure on every set? Just wondering what everyone does....I usually go to failure on every single set, but i'm thinking about changing that...If i do 3 sets of an exercise, i'll stop 1 or 2 shy of failure on the first 2 sets, and go all out on the last set. What's everyone's opinions? -Shruggin __________________ Balls to the Wall: Shruggin's New Journal http://ironmass.com/forums/showthrea...857#post142857

10-12-2005, 02:33 AM	#4
LatsMakeTheMan Pro Stature Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 185 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 5	I go until I know I can't get another. But I don't attempt that last one.......not often, anyway. Maybe near the end of the workout I might do it once or twice. __________________ Super Saiyan in training..... My MySpace account....come love me: http://www.myspace.com/eric2080

10-12-2005, 02:34 AM	#5
EME Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,265 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 51	I pick a weight that should put my point of failure within my target rep range for a particular exercise. For instance, let's say my goal is to hit 3 sets of 6-10 reps on Dumbbell press. I'll pick a weight that should get me as close to the top end of my target rep range as possible, without going over. ( Kind of like the Price is Right. ) If I get 9, cool. If I get 10 on the first set, I stop there for that set. If I get less than 10 on either of the next sets I will keep the same weight for my next training day, and work until I get three sets of 10. When I get three sets of 10, I take the weight up an amount that should put me back around three sets of 6.... and I'll start working toward three sets of 10 again. So, to answer your question,..... if I get my goal reps, on the first set.... I don't continue repping until I can't get any more... I go for my goal reps on set two, and set three also. If I get my goal reps on all three sets.. I end it there, and then take the weight up the next workout. My rep scheme may change on different exercises... maybe it's 7,5,3 in pyramid fashion.. or maybe it's 3 sets of 12-15... but the premise is still the same. I do have a few exercises where I purposely plan on going to failure. An example is when I do drop sets for leg extensions and curls... I try to get about 10 on the first set... then immediately drop the weight in half and go to failure... then drop the weight in half again, and go to failure again... For most exercises though, I try to rely on a planned rep goal that is part of a bigger master plan to progressively move up in weight over time. I feel this carefully mapped out plan of progressively working to increase your training resistance is the real key to building muscle, rather than just going to failure on every set. As with almost all successes in life.. you have to have a solid plan to get you from point A to point B, and beyond. - EME __________________ PhysiqueFXonline - Online Nutrition and Training with Michael and Kendra Elias: www.MichaelandKendra.com Team Molecular Nutrition Creative Director FAME Media Group / World Natural Sports Organization Editor-In-Chief FAME Magazine www.FAMEWorldTour.com

10-12-2005, 03:04 AM	#6
johnsbod Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 2,733 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 60	I use rep ranges the same way as EME. For example, currently I'm using 6-8 reps for incline dumbell press. If I get 8 reps on my first set I stop. On my last set if I fail before 8 reps I keep the same weight for next time. If I make it to 8 reps, I stop there and up the weight the following workout. __________________ Wenn Sie Deutsch sprechen können, posten Sie hier. Misc Perv #69

10-12-2005, 03:04 AM	#7
powerman2000 The Old Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,188 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 202	My current routine and volume only allows me the ability to hit failure on the last set of each exercise. I train too fast to hit failure on every set. It would take too long to recover from every set if they were all to failure, which would slow me down. __________________ Don't forget to periodize Best BP 507 lbs competitive Best Squat 705 lbs competitive Best DL 650 lbs competitive Guns don't kill people, men who come home early do. My workout log http://www.ironmass.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6247

10-12-2005, 01:41 AM	#3
LaggingBiceps Pro Stature Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 246 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 6	i go to "failure". i think its really 1 rep shy of it because i dont have a spotter and i never want to take the chance of trying to get that 1 extra rep.

10-12-2005, 04:20 AM	#8
bubba g Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,949 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 177	I go to failure on all sets aside from warmup sets... It is what works best for me... I do almost everything in a power rack because I workout by myself.

10-12-2005, 11:52 AM	#9
Just_Shruggin Amateur Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 68 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 4	Great answers guys, I particularly liked EME's way...I'm going to try that for a few weeks and i'll let everyone know what i think. -Shruggin __________________ Balls to the Wall: Shruggin's New Journal http://ironmass.com/forums/showthrea...857#post142857

10-13-2005, 11:05 AM	#11
AnImLiZtIk Amateur Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 56 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 4	going to failure + time + cell tech = huge __________________ "Nothing can stop me now, because I don't care anymore." -NiN

10-13-2005, 07:55 PM	#14
Peaked_18 a la commode Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,247 Recipes: 2 Rep Power: 96	I go to positive failure each set most the time. Depends on the type of training though.

10-13-2005, 10:11 PM	#19
powerman2000 The Old Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,188