Training to failure
I was wondering what your views are on training to failure on a set. Should it be just at the last set, or sets? Should I come up purposely a rep or two short on my first sets? If I wanted to do five good sets of an exercise, at what point should failure come into play?
That you’re pushing hard is important, but there are too many variables for a single answer.
Some days I have the urge and the energy and I train with all my might every set beyond the warm-up set.
Some days pain or injury or lack of muscle response cause me to seek another route to training satisfaction.
Certain exercises I take to failure with a groan of failing strength — all pressing, for example.
Other exercises, including all pulling exercises, I take to failure with the risk of overtraining, or overloading a muscle or tendon or joint. Here I moderate my intensity — maximum effort without damage.
Some days my training methodology is modified to suit my multiple needs — enjoyment, change of pace, freedom from pressure. Stimulation and pace, feel and form take precedent over set-to-failure output. Still, training intensity is strived for or maintained.
Mostly I become my partner in training and we talk things over as we proceed. Intensity is always in the 8s and 9s, a few 10s.
If this practice becomes wrong, hateful or angry, I back off. Remember, I was Mr. Universe in 1966… a long time ago.
Gotta lighten up on the throttle sometime… DD
Dave Draper - Dave Draper Posted on December 10th, 2007 in Aging Well, Weight Training by Dave Draper