093 Should You Train to Failure? Evaluating Options for Strength Training

Send us Fan MailStrength gains occur through neural adaptations and through muscle growth.Neural adaptations seem to be stimulated by muscle activity and force production. We ensure these by training explosively or by training heavy. Muscle growth, on the other hand, is stimulated primarily by mechanical tension. We ensure this by training close to failure. In this episode, we discuss:Training ExplosivelyTraining Heavy Loads Far from FailureTraining Heavy Loads Close to FailureTraining Moderate Loads Close to FailureResources:Effects of velocity loss in the bench press exercise on strength gains, neuromuscular adaptations, and muscle hypertrophyhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32681665/Specific Adaptations to 0%, 15%, 25%, and 50% Velocity-Loss Thresholds During Bench Press Traininghttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35728808/Velocity Loss as a Critical Variable Determining the Adaptations to Strength Traininghttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32049887/Comparison of Velocity-Based and Traditional Percentage-Based Loading Methods on Maximal Strength and Power Adaptationshttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30946276/Effects of Resistance Training Performed with Different Loads in Untrained and Trained Male Adult Individuals on Maximal Strength and Muscle Hypertrophy: A Systematic Reviewhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34769755/Lighter-Load Exercise Produces Greater Acute- and Prolonged-Fatigue in Exercised and Non-Exercised Limbshttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32401690/