Working a muscle to failure

[Jul]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Nov-11-02 AT 10:25AM (Est)[/font][p][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Nov-11-02 AT 10:23 AM (Est)[/font]

What is the latest scoop on working a muscle group to failure? Is this something to strive for, or something to avoid? I try to work with weights heavy enough to be about 2 reps shy of failure. Is this correct?

What happens when we hit muscle failure? How and why is that not good?

 

[starbuck]

The rule is still to work the muscle to failure or that in the case of lifting without a spotter to the point of failure but you can still safely dispose of the weight.

I like to work to failure i.e. I can't do another but can still safely lower my weight and then move onto another body part.

Babs

 

[l23]

I just read a fitness celeb (someone in those Oxygen or M&F Hers mags), recommends that you not just do a set # of reps. You may do 12 reps, but that doesn't mean you're really working hard enough. I usually know which weight works for me and if I can go to 14 reps vs 10, I do it. Then just adjust the weight till you reach what suits you.