13 days ago
113
6
Posted On: October 21st 2026, 09:05 pm
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Training to failure is a great tool, but only when you understand the whole picture. Everything works, but nothing works for everyone, all the time, under every circumstance.
The frame you need to understand is that we’re trying to accumulate effective reps.
Effective reps are the last 5 or so reps before failure, when the target muscle is fully recruited and the bar slows down, even though you’re pushing as hard as you can. Take a set to failure and you get all 5. Stop at 3 RIR and you get 2.
So if you can actually reach failure, you need fewer sets to get the same stimulus. Less volume, easier recovery, more frequency, better progress.
The catch is the word “actually.” Most lifters end a set because their technique falls apart, a joint complains, or their brain taps out. The target muscle still had reps left.
Those lifters need more volume to collect the same effective reps, and on paper that means more volume, harder recovery, lower frequency and slower progress.
Except the lifters who can’t train to failure yet are usually newer, often younger, and moving lighter loads. They recover fast. The extra sets cost them a lot less than the math suggests.
Skill first. Volume second. Failure as something you grow into.
Coaches: how do you decide when a client is ready to take sets to true failure? Tell me what you look for.
The frame you need to understand is that we’re trying to accumulate effective reps.
Effective reps are the last 5 or so reps before failure, when the target muscle is fully recruited and the bar slows down, even though you’re pushing as hard as you can. Take a set to failure and you get all 5. Stop at 3 RIR and you get 2.
So if you can actually reach failure, you need fewer sets to get the same stimulus. Less volume, easier recovery, more frequency, better progress.
The catch is the word “actually.” Most lifters end a set because their technique falls apart, a joint complains, or their brain taps out. The target muscle still had reps left.
Those lifters need more volume to collect the same effective reps, and on paper that means more volume, harder recovery, lower frequency and slower progress.
Except the lifters who can’t train to failure yet are usually newer, often younger, and moving lighter loads. They recover fast. The extra sets cost them a lot less than the math suggests.
Skill first. Volume second. Failure as something you grow into.
Coaches: how do you decide when a client is ready to take sets to true failure? Tell me what you look for.
Comments (6)
13 days agocoach_taylorseibel
In terms of what I'm looking for, the biggest one is showing me that they can actually uphold their technique while approaching failure. Typically, I will leave some reps in the tank on more free weight exercises until skill catches up. And I may gradually introduce pushing near or to failure on machine work on the last set of the exercise. For example, intentionally leaving a couple reps in the tank on a dumbbell press and approaching failure on a pec deck fly. There are multiple other pieces that might fit into the puzzle there as well training, nutritionally, and health status wise.
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