sets to failure?

[Snap87]

Sup guys. Got a question. Im still confused, because many people say different things about sets to failure, because they say it makes your muscle too tired to do another complete set, but you should only do the last set to failure. Should you do each set to failure while working out?, im working to get big. Like they say in each set do 6-12 reps, but they say dont do sets to failure. So say i do 9 reps, and i feel that i can do 2 more reps until i reach failure, should i do it or just stop there, rest, and do another 6-12 reps but not to failure?


THANKS!

 

[Warboss Alex]

A reasonable question, however it does smack of overthinking things.

The whole point of training is to break the muscle down and promote growth. This can be achieved over three sets, two sets, one set, one restpause set, with dropsets, etc.

Training to muscular failure does NOT necessarily equal growth promotion. Take the 10lb dumbbells and do a flat db bench with them, you'll probably fail on what, 40, 50 reps? You've trained to failure but are you really taxing your body enough to grow? No.

Strength gains are an indicator of whether the muscle had been broken down.

That is to say, if you successfully lift more weight next workout within the same rep range then you can safely assume that the muscle was broken down last workout, recovered, and grew a tiny bit.

So, don't think about it too much, do two sets per exercise, in the 'safe' rep range of 10-12 (maybe higher for tricep and bicep extensions, again for the safety factor) and concentrate on getting stronger every time, and feeding your newfound strength gains.

 

[uzio]

Well - muscle brakedown is promoted by one thing - weight.

Usually you should get the weight as high as possible to do 6-10 reps per set with 1-2 reps as "safety" - eg until you feel that you can do 1-2 more reps and fail.

 

[CLOONEY]

Originally posted by uzio
Well - muscle brakedown is promoted by one thing - weight.

Usually you should get the weight as high as possible to do 6-10 reps per set with 1-2 reps as "safety" - eg until you feel that you can do 1-2 more reps and fail.

Exactly, its also good to have a gym partner, as they will usually push you beyond what you beleived you could acheive! Just make sure it is a gym partner who knows what they are doing, and not a slack, lazy azz that never pushes themselves.