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confused about 'to failure'

azredhead57 Posts: 1,651 Joined: 2003/04/11	2003/08/08, 02:35 PM I see on here that some of you say not to work to failure every workout, but I'm a little confused about what that means. If I am aiming for 8 reps on my last set of a particular weight and I don't get it, I try again the next week and on and on until I do. Is that considered working to failure? If it is, and I shouldn't do it, then what is the alternative? -------------- ~Victoria~ ...There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.--Beverly Sills
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2003/08/08, 04:18 PM Yes working to failure is having a set number of reps to get to and not reaching it. Keep trying till you do then increase the weight. -------------- Eat More, Drink More, and Lift Harder than you thought you could, welcome to Becoming!
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2003/08/08, 04:19 PM Also it can mean doing reps till you literaly fail to do one more..... -------------- Eat More, Drink More, and Lift Harder than you thought you could, welcome to Becoming!
azredhead57 Posts: 1,651 Joined: 2003/04/11	2003/08/08, 05:41 PM And it is ok to do that every week? -------------- ~Victoria~ ...There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.--Beverly Sills
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/08/08, 09:39 PM Working to failure is when you cannot complete a set, you are doing a rep but cannot complete it due to overload. Meaning you literally cannot move the weight another inch, then beyond failure is with a spot to help you get out a couple more. This is basically overload, which intices muscle growth with the correct diet. Working to failure is normally with fairly heavy weights. This is a very brutal way of training and can be very hard on you, and if done every time you train, this is definitely where down time(a week off) comes in. The truth is the muscles can usually keep up, but it is the tendons, ligaments, joints, nerve endings that give out first, not to mention your mental state. So, 8-10 weeks of this training, a good idea for a break. -------------- Great people never want it easier, they just want to be better! Ron
azredhead57 Posts: 1,651 Joined: 2003/04/11	2003/08/12, 03:00 PM My husband helps me get beyond failure on most things until I can get 8 reps by myself. On most things I can eventually conquer, but on leg curls I have been trying to get past 80# for over a year. I go up and down and try to trick myself, but I just never get 8 reps of 80#, so I am constantly working to failure on this particular one. It makes me crazy! -------------- ~Victoria~ ...There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.--Beverly Sills
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/08/12, 07:58 PM The hamstrings are not a very strong or large muscle. Do not worry much about getting too much weight on leg curls. If you are very concerned, you may add static lunges, will do great for the hams and glutes, and add strength. -------------- Great people never want it easier, they just want to be better! Ron
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2003/08/13, 09:15 AM you know I had the same problem until I statred to lift heavy on the deadlifts.....they use the hams as well and I credit them to upping my ham curl weight. In 6 months of heavy deadlifts I went form about 110 for 10 to 130 for 10 on my last set.... -------------- Eat More, Drink More, and Lift Harder than you thought you could, welcome to Becoming!
azredhead57 Posts: 1,651 Joined: 2003/04/11	2003/08/13, 03:50 PM Thanks guys. -------------- ~Victoria~ ...There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.--Beverly Sills