Hi,
for the last 3 years of training, I've trained every muscle and set (usually 2 per muscle) to failure. I've experimented with doing this 1, 2 & 3 times per week.
For the first three weeks, I'd gain strength rapidly, but thereafter I'd stagnate and even regress in strength - very disheartening.
Nevertheless, I kept this up for 3 years because I read on the internet that anything less and than failure means that you're not training hard enough.
However, after watching some of Lee Priests videos I decided to not train to failure, and to increase volume. I have maintained an abbreviated training routine with the same exercises but now with increased but moderate volume (6 sets over two exercises), and not to failure.
Strength gains and bodyweight gain have been linear for about 11 weeks now.
I have no doubt that by switching to a lower volume higher intensity approach I'd make rapid gains again but only for a few workouts, and then I'd definitely regress. Sure, periodisation could be an idea, but for me, a few workouts of strength before regresing isn't worth messing with the linear gains I'm getting on the lower intensity.
I suppose I'm putting this out there for those who, like me, kept hitting brick walls and stagnating by training to failure.
Anyone else feel the same?
for the last 3 years of training, I've trained every muscle and set (usually 2 per muscle) to failure. I've experimented with doing this 1, 2 & 3 times per week.
For the first three weeks, I'd gain strength rapidly, but thereafter I'd stagnate and even regress in strength - very disheartening.
Nevertheless, I kept this up for 3 years because I read on the internet that anything less and than failure means that you're not training hard enough.
However, after watching some of Lee Priests videos I decided to not train to failure, and to increase volume. I have maintained an abbreviated training routine with the same exercises but now with increased but moderate volume (6 sets over two exercises), and not to failure.
Strength gains and bodyweight gain have been linear for about 11 weeks now.
I have no doubt that by switching to a lower volume higher intensity approach I'd make rapid gains again but only for a few workouts, and then I'd definitely regress. Sure, periodisation could be an idea, but for me, a few workouts of strength before regresing isn't worth messing with the linear gains I'm getting on the lower intensity.
I suppose I'm putting this out there for those who, like me, kept hitting brick walls and stagnating by training to failure.
Anyone else feel the same?