Coreybeerpt

Training to failure is killing your strength gains

I see this a lot in the gym. Most of the information people absorb is from influences trying just to build muscle. In that case, you can train to failure more often with less frequency.

Now, there is a lot of crossover between hypertrophy training and strength training, but there are some differences when you pass the novice phase of training.

Training to failure on lifts like Squat, Bench and Deadlift too often will result in too much fatigue and poor technique practise. Trying to max out a deadlift week to week would be really hard to do and probably result in backsliding or injury. Instead, think of trying to build momentum with your lifts. Applying the stress you need, practising the skill, and recovering ready for the next session.

If you're trying to lift more weights on these lifts, you should leave most of your sessions feeling like you could have done a little more. There is a time and place for training to failure, but it's not every single session.

Start reserved with more reps in the tank and each week try to build on this. I like to keep true max outs for the end of every 12 to 16 weeks of training. Even longer in some cases.

Except for a lot of accessory work, go balls to the wall on that. Example chest press or leg ext. These aren't as fatiguing and not as technically demanding.

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