not to failure, so what then?

[big calvin]

i was reading in the search and most of u guys dont train to failure. cause u say its differnt from bodybuilding. so if u dont train to failure then how do u train? i know youll test your 1rm every so often but like do u just do like a weight u can do but low reps? how would that work? im not an active PL and i dont plan on for a little while i just want to get as strong as possible. i was always tough to lift to failure. what should i do? i have been training on and off , my first real year of training my bench was over 315 to failure for 4 reps.+forced reps i would do. i mean i thought i was training the right way cause my strength was increasing so much. was i wrong ? could i have gotten better results training differentlly?

 

[powerlifterjay]

Well itstrue you shouldnt do forced reps. If your usinglight weight like bodybuilders tend too its fine. cause you tear the muscle down and totally taxing it to utter failure. With powerlifting i use the term positive failure, when i discribe my reps. Meaning i go to the point were i know if i attempt one more rep it will not go. But keep in mind if your dam close to (positive failure) the end wether its one rep or reps, if your right there and your partner has to help just a bit but you get it with his help will then that is a miss and should be your goal but you really didnt do a forced rep. Meaning if your partner assisted you with 10 or 15 lbs to complete it. But no way in hell would i do another. Once you have expereince in this style you really never hit that point even. Not only that once your benching well into the 500's doing forced reps would be dangerous, with 315 its not as much a big deal. Or 600 plus squats etc. Not only that most pec tears happen on the negative. Hoped i helped ya some.

 

[big calvin]

ohhhhhh...thats fine , so its like training by yourself? u go untill u know that u cant hit another rep. well thats the way i train now(cause i train by my self). and u say dont go slow on the negetive, man i would go super slow on the neg.! lol. better stop that huh. well once again thanks PL jay. thats more then 1 that i owe u

but u guys hit bench more often ? like twice a week. thats correct ? thanks again man

 

[big calvin]

ohh and also what happens if your training westside style? u jit failure when its ME day right? or no the same way u said and test your 1rm later?

thanks

 

[The mann]

like when you are doing bench on ME day, you would go till you miss on 4 board ,floor press,etc.you would do your warmups then go triples till you miss a rep,then singles till you miss..........

 

[powerlifterjay]

Right you miss but your not 25 or 50 lbs over your max. Your going for realistic PR's. And when you train like this by eliminating forced reps its not like training alone. You need big handoffs, help re-racking. And the more i thought of your question. Having a hand there on days you feel really strong to take off 10 or 15 (at the most) is a good idea cause the way i train there are poundages i can not possibily get in less i im put into a rage before hand. And if you get it and your like me you will smile till th enext day! But if you miss you boys are there to take a little off when needed (only when needed) and they'll say oh you almost had it! And i bench Monday, Med tri work after. then i do boards or floors and hit tris heavy on thurs. Bench is a main focus for me and lots of lifters. Tris are the most important period. Keep the questions coming , we'll get you on track!

 

[The mann]

that's just like my brother(powerlifterjay),always got my back...

 

[big calvin]

thanks guys.

well the thing is i train alone cause every one i know is into bodybuilding and im the only one after pure strength(im big anuff). the only other person that likes powerlifting is my brother but hes lazy and the worst spotter! so i train by my self. i train at home and gym. but i was planing on getting a power rack for my house. i have a half calf right now and the gym is pure machines(only a very small power rack) so im thinking home training it has to be. im after pure strength and i want some fast cause my self esteam isnt really high(im obese) but i am strong for not really training . more on and off(more off then on). my maxes are around(after muscle memory sets in) around +300 bench, +300 squat, +250 deads(sumo). if i lose 100 pounds my total would be around over 1000 for starting out isnt to bad. i have been into training for years but like i said alot of off time. u can ready see me as a beginer because its been over a year sence consistant training.

 

[powerlifterjay]

Just keep plugging away at it and just concentrate on little Pr's all the way up. Next thing you know your hittin big weight. If you put up 10lbs more on every thing hell thats 30lbs on your total. It all comes together.