Comments on: Should You Train To Failure In Every Set?

By: Duncan M

Duncan M — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 09:20:11 +0000

Mark, gotta say I love THT and which ever program I now use, I go to failure on every set. Going to failure is the only way I feel satisfied, giving 100% every set, and I still progressively overload by squeezing out one more rep or upping the weight next workout.
However, I’ve read that always going to failure can damage your CNS, and studies have shown better strength gains without going to failure. This is a problem because I would like to accelerate strength gains more while preserving the CNS, but I still like to train to failure; it would be hard to switch back to set number of reps per set. I don’t find it intense enough.
Any comments?
Thanks

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:23:44 +0000

I just recommend a whey isolate, micronized creatine and some glutamine. I hope they’re available to you.
Mark

By: howitz

howitz — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:31:06 +0000

Hello Mark , the book is great , i am allready sticking to it , but i have some questions , here we don’t have that much supplements , what do you think about Muscle Tech ? Cell-Tech and Nitro-Tech ?

Thanks forwards

By: sam.d

sam.d — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:50:50 +0000

thanks mark
i tried this about a week back i was doing push ups with 20kg plate on my back and had done 9 reps
then the next training session i was aiming for 10 reps(1 more rep) i done 10 reps and tried bust out another 2 reps extra it was so hard and i was bearly moving but managed to do it(the last rep took 10 seconds trying to push up)
and today it felt like nothing and got to 20 reps
progress man

By: Andrew Mast

Andrew Mast — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:23:30 +0000

David B above poses a good question which I think does redefine “failure” I believe that there is a difference between training to failure and training to failure while maintaining good form. I train to failure (WITH GOOD FORM) on every exercise (including squats) and haven’t seen injury. I think the GOOD FORM part is a critical “adjective” and it may clarify in the THT book to merely at “GOOD FORM” if that’s the intention.

By: Andrew Mast

Andrew Mast — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:17:49 +0000

I’ve already been applying this THT positive failure for two weeks and I’m still getting progressive rep or weight increases, so I’m on board and it’s a great feeling to push that last rep to failure with all the energy I have.

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:27:46 +0000

Hi David,
This applies to all lifts in THT training. Going to failure does not increase risk of injury, poor form or heavy weights you aren’t ready for will however.
A lot of people’s definition of compound and isolation is way off. Using biomechanically optimized form, almost all exercises in THT are compound lifts. 6-9 sets to failure will certainly not constitute overtraining.
Mark

By: David B.

David B. — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:21:17 +0000

Mark,

I think you should clearly outline which lifts, if not all, you believe this principle to apply. For those who train primarily with Olympic and compound lifts you’re not only risking over training, but also injury prescribing a “train to failure” approach on every set. Granted, I acknowledge your advice is in regards to THT; however, it would be greatly beneficial for clarification in not only the depth, but breadth of your advice.