Should Every Set be Done to Failure?

Till__I__Collapse

Sometimes, there is a lot of pain, but my muscles still move the weight. I can push through the pain for a few more reps until there is no more motion, and I cannot move the weight against the resistance of gravity any longer. Is that good to go to this state in each set? I am trying to build muscle and strength.

dbmata

It depends on your program. What program are you doing?

Does it say do every set to failure? Post the link to the program for us to see.

In my experience, you don't do every set to failure, but again, depends on the program.

TossaBeanBag

If you are trying to build strength and size, make sure you have enough of a break between sets (I think) to make sure you can recover between sets to maximize the muscle stimulation. Like dbmata says, it probably depends on what your program says.

ana3067

pain =/= to failure. If there is pain, and not just normal soreness a la DOMS, then you're lifting too heavy/too many reps.

I never lift to failure, because a) I'm in a calorie deficit and thus recover even more slowly + have less energy, and b) I'm not willing to injure myself again. I lift until I can feel that I might be able to get in one more at most, or that I know that if I were to try another rep I'd not be able to push it.

if you want to build muscle, eat at a caloric surplus.

AJ_G

I lift to failure on every single set that I do except on a warm up set, and not on leg day. It's very hard to lift to failure with your legs because they're such a large muscle group and you'll give out from the pain of burning before you actual fail. I lift using reverse pyramid so I can stay in my desired rep range and still lift to failure on every set.

dbmata

Still waiting to see this program that says every set is an AMRAP.

AJ_G

dbmata wrote: »

Still waiting to see this program that says every set is an AMRAP.

http://www.musclehack.com/reverse-pyramid-training-start-at-max-strength/

eldamiano

Your muscles always ache the first couple of times for about a week, then it will become easier...

CipherZero

Training to failure is generally a bad idea, doubly so for a beginning lifter who may not have their lifting forms dialed in completely as yet.

A little achy the days post-workout - especially when you've just started getting into a gym habit - is expected, and even has its own name: delayed onset muscle soreness. Pain is almost universally bad when you're lifting, sore is not.

Find a decent program to start with. Both Starting Strength and Stronglifts are rock-solid novice protocols that will get you strong quickly with smart progressions.

ahamm002

The "short answer" is no. In most resistance training regimens, every set is not performed to actual muscle failure.

yoovie

No, i just do the last one to failure.

dbmata

AJ_G wrote: »

dbmata wrote: »

Still waiting to see this program that says every set is an AMRAP.

http://www.musclehack.com/reverse-pyramid-training-start-at-max-strength/

So you're the op, and you're posting from your main account now?

Also, I didn't see any programming there, but it reads like a picture book for idiots. I wouldn't touch that "program" when there are a lot of legit programs out there that don't come across like the creepy zombie of Billie Mays.

Elsie_Brownraisin

Is that not counterproductive?

Plus if you're a beginner, like me, a bit dangerous if (a) you aren't familiar enough with it to listen to your body when it's saying enough is enough (not merely being out of shape, but continuing would be daft) (b) you don't know how to bail out safely when your legs or arms have a wobble (c) with the inexperience, pushing to failure for each set could be dispiriting and it'll make you think you aren't capable - more likely to quit or not push yourself properly into doing things you are perfectly able to achieve with time and practice and (d) no good for untrained muscles to heal properly?

Unless it's the last one, if I fail to complete a set, my next one is at a lower weight. I've been at this for around 9 months, I'm happy with the way things are going. I did 3/4 of new rules, a few months of stronglifts and back at new rules with a lot heavier weights. I've not been lifting until my legs give for each set.

dbmata

I'll be honest, I couldn't imagine doing the roll of shame at the end of every bench set.

Leadfoot_Lewis

AJ_G wrote: »

I lift to failure on every single set that I do except on a warm up set, and not on leg day. It's very hard to lift to failure with your legs because they're such a large muscle group and you'll give out from the pain of burning before you actual fail. I lift using reverse pyramid so I can stay in my desired rep range and still lift to failure on every set.

Same here - I have always lifted to failure on every set w/the exception of Bench & Squats (no power/squat rack @ home gym so feel safer not doing so). Anyway, once form goes to crap, that's the end of my set.

yoovie

o god pls no

JeffseekingV

Till__I__Collapse wrote: »

Sometimes, there is a lot of pain, but my muscles still move the weight. I can push through the pain for a few more reps until there is no more motion, and I cannot move the weight against the resistance of gravity any longer. Is that good to go to this state in each set? I am trying to build muscle and strength.

You need to define pain. Pain as in injury? If that is the case, I think you need to either do a deload and/or consider seeing a doctor.

As yoovie said, I don't do every set to failure. Maybe the last 1-2 sets. The rest are warm up sets for the top 1-2 sets.

dbmata

Actually, someone be so kind as to define failure. I'd like to make sure my personal definition jives with the one being used here.

Elsie_Brownraisin

I had to put the bar my stomach and sit up instead of finishing when bench pressing today because my arms were shaking like mad and trying again may have resulted in smooshed ribs, I don't think I would have been able to rest it safely either.

It was busy in there and it was obvious I'd failed when I sat up swearing with a bar resting on my gut, but I figured that was less embarrassing than a chubby woman pinned to a bench, being folded in half and screeching. Is that failure?

JeffseekingV

I think if you had asked someone for a spot, it would prevent a dangerous situation like that.

Elsie_Brownraisin

I was ok plonking it slowly onto my stomach, but you're probably right. I don't know anyone there though.

dbmata

Yeah, that's the roll of shame. Training to failure every set would require that EVERY set.

Sounds fun eh?

I learned how to do the roll of shame yesterday. block benching, pushed up and held the damn thing like it was an iso for like 30 seconds, which was me trying to reach lock out, but instead it plummeted back to the block. lol.

Now imagine squats to failure? Watching gym rats, dropping off the bar in the hole. Every set.

jacksonpt

As others have said...

Generally no, you shouldn't be doing every set to failure... but ultimately it depends on your program/routine.

JeffseekingV

Elsie_Brownraisin wrote: »

I was ok plonking it slowly onto my stomach, but you're probably right. I don't know anyone there though.

You don't have to know someone. But it's wise to scan your area for someone that looks like they know what they are experienced and might be willing to give a spot.

yoovie

Elsie_Brownraisin wrote: »

I was ok plonking it slowly onto my stomach, but you're probably right. I don't know anyone there though.

any dude or chick in the weight room that is between sets would be happy to help.

it's not like cardio or group classes. It's not a competition. Everyone wants you to do well and be safe.

Elsie_Brownraisin

Thanks Jeff and Yoovie - I will ask in future.

JoRocka

AJ_G wrote: »

I lift to failure on every single set that I do except on a warm up set, and not on leg day. It's very hard to lift to failure with your legs because they're such a large muscle group and you'll give out from the pain of burning before you actual fail. I lift using reverse pyramid so I can stay in my desired rep range and still lift to failure on every set.

this just doesn't even make sense.

seriously. ever set - except not legs? I'd rather train legs to failure than ANYTHING else.

But generally training to failure regularly is counterproductive and not good for logn term training.

And no- training to failure isn't that much harder with legs. I used to do it weekly- because I was an idiot.

JoRocka

Elsie_Brownraisin wrote: »

I was ok plonking it slowly onto my stomach, but you're probably right. I don't know anyone there though.

google the roll of shame.

its' fine. it happens.

Don't make a habit of it- but learn how to properly fail ALL your lifts.

cwolfman13

Why are you in pain? Lifting to failure doesn't mean pain...it just means you can't get the weight up.

Also wondering what program you're working...I only very occasionally work to failure. My training sets and reps are never to failure...only when I'm doing 1 RMs.

gothchiq

No, I don't do that. I can tell when I have had it and can't complete another rep, so I don't try that one more rep that I know I can't complete. Or if arms/legs are shaking, then that will do. I don't need to be falling on my butt, dropping the weight stack with a clang, having dumbbells fall on my toes, etc. Like that other person said, if I can't finish a set then I will reduce the weight some and do another set. I'm arthritic so I tend to be on the careful side with everything. Injuries will set me back farther by far than just not being in a hurry will.

Elsie_Brownraisin

I'm ok with failing with most of the other things I do, I just have really weak arms and should have stopped earlier in the set. I mentioned that as a problem with working to failure as a beginner - it can be dangerous if you don't know how to bail out safely, so going to failure all the time isn't a good idea. And if you're inexperienced like me, it's easier to say you're just being lazy when your arms are actually saying 'seriously, no more'.