The fact that your offering this content for free speaks volumes about your character. I know i’ve thanked you to death already lol but I really appreciate the information you provide.
MUSCLE MEMORY....even during down time when you don't make it to the gym for extended periods, it won't take much to regain size and strength. From personal experience, after two years off from a cars accident I was able to recover to my former level, even after substantial atrophy. Not exactly 100%, but close. Train to failure with high reps or heavy weights and low reps. Switch them up to build stamina and max heart rate. Use a stop watch and light weights/high reps to circuit train. You won't believe the pump you get.
I sent prolly 50 people to this channel via this method of lifting.... I love failure!!! Nothing like walking up to a machine a guy is getting ready to leave and you put half the weight he lopped on there for his shitty 7 rep session.. meanwhile your twice his size and jacked like your on gear!!! John if I ever in your neck of the woods I would love to give you a hug for this method no one talks about! It’s given me my second growth jump in mass! To think at 40 I thought I was just going to be maintaining my mass and not gaining! Thank you ❤️
So well thought out.. and explained.. No Time wasted in his Video's - Clearly meant to be a teacher of knowledge. Too bad the waiting list for coaching is so long.
@@skatetodeath666 With drop sets, the general idea is each corresponding weight should be like 40-70% of the previous one (depends on the exercise), and then get as close to failure as you can on each weight without compromising the upcoming drop set. If you can get to 5 reps or more on each subsequent weight, then you're doing good. But if you can barely do one or two reps after picking up a lower weight, or if you do 8 reps on the first weight and pick up the second weight and can do 20, then you should re-evaluate how you're structuring the drop set.
You spent your life learning all this stuff . And it's dispensed in only minutes if people truly listen and apply what you say and see for them's self's the out come .bodybuilding is a constant change and the more understand we have from people like you the better we can become thank you .
Ive found on lighter loads when I get close to failure rest pause works very well. I also like to stop short of the full rep and hold the load as long as possible.
I recently found your channel through watching Jeff Nippard's channel and I'm really glad I did. At 38 i am doing my best to keep up in the gym. Doing pretty well and every little bit helps. I really enjoy your content and appreciate how you use the science to back up your experience and vice versa. Also how you are knowledgeable of injuries. (As i have quite a few that I must work around daily). There aren't many guys on here that I feel I could actually trust, and you sir are one of the few. Thank you for all the content. Oh!....and tomorrow morning I'm trying your pre workout cream of rice meal. Looking forward to it!
I agree that there's a sliding scale to this and that it all has to do with balancing out the variables. I train in the 30-100 rep range, mostly 60-100 reps, and I absolutely have to go to failure to make any gains. I also can't do more than 1 set per bodypart without overtraining because of increased central fatigue. I use a breathing tempo and a full range of motion because I've found that I don't gain as well lifting fast for partial ROM (the strength gains are illusory) and I end up injuring myself. I also have to train 6x a week whole body using those protocols; if I drop down to 3x a week, I just maintain.
Im 60 I can honestly say that because of you and a few other's im in better shape then when I was 40 toner bigger in a good way. I may grow slower then youngers but its way better will I ever look like a body builder? Probably not but i feel way better. Thank you
If you don't do ORM how do you know what 85% of that is. I say failure for me is the best way to train and gain lean muscle. The problem is most people overtrain with failure. You don't do high volume you do High Intensity Training to get the best results. I do 4 exercises per muscle group with 2 warmup sets and one Failure and beyond set per exercise and that is it. I do 6-10 reps for the failure range. For me rhis range is heavy enough to generate all the muscle fibers and not to heavy that failure will get you injured. I love this style of training.
excellent advice, thanx john! i notice because my bench press and my shoulder press aren't as big as i would like them to be i often go to failure even on my 3-6 rep max just to feed my own ego a little bit and hit the number of reps that i am aiming for no matter what, but i trust it might be better to get cleaner reps in rather than end the sets with real lousy form reps at total failure like i often do!
There is this missconception of the size prinicple. We know that maximum muscle activation happens over ~80% of max load per muscle fibre! That's not the same as 80% off your max load per movement/exercise. For any multi jointed exercise like bench press or squat with 80% of your 1rm. It is very likely not 80% load on the muscle because the load distributes on many different muscles and muscle areas. It's easily possible that during a 80% lift some muscle fibres are only 30% activated but others work near maximum. That's why tecnique and proper mind muscle connection are so important.
I do every set to failure, I set my weight to where I can only do 8 to 10 reps to failure once I do a workout were I do 11 clean reps I add weight then it goes back to 8 to 10.
Not training to failure has always seemed odd to me. I started in my teens and since then have known no better. I stopped lifting in 05 but have been back at it age 40 for the past 7 months now and loving it again. Its only been this past two weeks i have activly tried not going to failure when going heavy, as to avoid injury as my strength has come back fast, as well as size yet my bones and tendons are struggling to keep up, being older now. it still feels weird stopping short of failure but im getting used to it. there are also alot of studies out there which convinced me it wasnt vital to go to failure for hypotrophy
@@nboss968 Since then I went back to doing every set to failure lol. my joints and tendons feel fine now though. Basically ill prioritise intensity over all else. and being able to manage such, so that might mean more rests days? less weight? less volume? different exercise selection? But I found myself not doing as much volume as I was then per workout and overall per week had me feeling fine. As Ive always pushed the limits in terms of not only intensity but volume both together which I think as no surprise was hard on my body now being older. So now i dont push for more volume constantly. i just train each set to failure with adequate volume so as to recover
@papaspaulding thanks for the update all these years later. Definitely still trying to work smarter as I get older. It's crazy how these videos are living on forever.
Another incredible video john. Because of my rotator cuff injury I found that I must be going %60-85 of my max rep and I was always doubting whether I can build muscle density this way or not! Do you think that muscle density can come without fully overloading the muscle with weight? Thanks you for the video anyways.
Hi John, when is the best time to take eaas before or after. I have been using bcaas before workout, however I feel tired when I take them. I feel I should be taking bcaas after workout with eaas. I here different information all the time. Any information would be appreciated.
I don’t think I’ve ever gotten anymore quality info from anyone else as much as I get from you. You’ve helped me a lot in my lifting journey, thank you!
so then my question is if you shouldn’t train to failure on heavy loads then how are you supposed to progressively overload in the gym if you’re purposely not giving absolute maximum effort just to spare your nervous system from being fatigued? PLZ ANSWER
Hi John, wonderful information as always thank you. Was wondering your opinion about full body workouts for people who are starting out. Is it advisable to do full body a few days a week or concentrate on each body part separately? I have a fb group and people are asking. Thank you
There have been scientifically studies that showed that muscle growth is exactly the same when training with light weight or heavy weight as long as you go to failure. I do believe that you have to change between light and heavy to shock your muscle and that is what gives you the best muscle growth. Still interesting to hear your thoughts. Science is not always right...Light weight for me is 15 reps and heavy 6-8
Those studies aren’t using people who have been training properly for 5-10 years. It’s evident that a truly advanced lifter needs to go heavier to gain muscle because we know that after neurological adaption is maxed the only way you’re getting stronger is gaining more muscle
Thanks so much for the info, I have a question though; you mostly said that failure isn't always necessary, but is there a negative impact to mostly training to failure if its what I'm used to? By the way, your vids are amazing and so rich with knowledge.
@@mountaindog1 This makes total sense for me when I got stronger in the gym the first exercise I would aim for failure on last set then every other exercise I would have at least 1 or 2 good reps left.
I have always struggled with this, everytime I do plyo workout I usually go to failure for 4 sets and two workout (clapping push up and jump squat).I would wake up the next morning feeling lethargic and sick.
Thanks John for sharing :) Since you are talking about load percentages, are you answering specifically more for compound exercises? Because I'm not sure how to calculate 60-80% for isolation exercises, since we probably don't even measure our 1RM on isolations? Usually, I'd just go to failure on isolation exercises. Wanted to hear your thoughts
If we take a moderate load & take the first set to failure and keep banging out "cluster sets" of 3 to 5 reps (one rep in the tank, would fail on the next rep) until we reach a set rep goal. Rest pause style! Would that be a good way to use a moderate load effectively because of high motor unit recruitment/fatigue?
For more great videos click the link: ua-cam.com/play/PLNAUreWTt_SjAdZS__5yCzPJFiCcv1DYb.html
mountaindog1 a video on exercise sequencing sir please..
7:14 "The lighter the load the more you need to go to failure, the heavier the load the less you need to go to failure"
The fact that your offering this content for free speaks volumes about your character. I know i’ve thanked you to death already lol but I really appreciate the information you provide.
Thank you Henry!
"i’ve thanked you to death"
soo true!
@JKItsMeAlGore potatoe
@@_454_too soon 😢
30 plus years contemplating this topic and you made it crystal clear in 10 mins...lol Seriously thank you John!
my pleasure brother
This is the best explanation of training to failure I ever listened to. Rest in peace big man.
Hands down, the most concise, clear, no B.S. content I've watched. John
MUSCLE MEMORY....even during down time when you don't make it to the gym for extended periods, it won't take much to regain size and strength. From personal experience, after two years off from a cars accident I was able to recover to my former level, even after substantial atrophy. Not exactly 100%, but close. Train to failure with high reps or heavy weights and low reps. Switch them up to build stamina and max heart rate.
Use a stop watch and light weights/high reps to circuit train. You won't believe the pump you get.
I used to follow athlean x I graduated to mountain dog.
I just find your channel and it's almost 4 hours that i am watching your videos.
This is gold!
thank you!
Yes is the answer. At 44 I am making the best gains ever by training to failure, and doing less, but despite that it is more tiring!
Such a great educator and role model.
Losing this man was indeed a great loss.
I sent prolly 50 people to this channel via this method of lifting.... I love failure!!! Nothing like walking up to a machine a guy is getting ready to leave and you put half the weight he lopped on there for his shitty 7 rep session.. meanwhile your twice his size and jacked like your on gear!!! John if I ever in your neck of the woods I would love to give you a hug for this method no one talks about! It’s given me my second growth jump in mass! To think at 40 I thought I was just going to be maintaining my mass and not gaining! Thank you ❤️
So well thought out.. and explained.. No Time wasted in his Video's - Clearly meant to be a teacher of knowledge.
Too bad the waiting list for coaching is so long.
I like drop sets to failure!
So do you set it up to be able to do say 40 reps in total doing this drop set with almost to failure on the 8th rep of each set of lowered weights ?
@@skatetodeath666 With drop sets, the general idea is each corresponding weight should be like 40-70% of the previous one (depends on the exercise), and then get as close to failure as you can on each weight without compromising the upcoming drop set. If you can get to 5 reps or more on each subsequent weight, then you're doing good. But if you can barely do one or two reps after picking up a lower weight, or if you do 8 reps on the first weight and pick up the second weight and can do 20, then you should re-evaluate how you're structuring the drop set.
Works great with Delts or Biceps or anything you can rapidly grab progressively lighter Dumbells..
me too
This video was one of the best videos I´v watched on the tube ! Thanks a lot for it :)
Personally find heavy lifting best for muscle growth, fat loss and overall strength increase
I think a moderate weight is best. I don't think you can get enough volume in with heavy lifting.
@@danp8309 I usually rotate every 2 weeks with a strength style program to a hypertrophy style program
Finding the opposite true. I just starting seeing massive growth doing sets of 15 reps instead of heavy sets of 5 reps
Depends on what your body best responses to! These are all correct!
...and injuries
You spent your life learning all this stuff . And it's dispensed in only minutes if people truly listen and apply what you say and see for them's self's the out come .bodybuilding is a constant change and the more understand we have from people like you the better we can become
thank you .
Ive found on lighter loads when I get close to failure rest pause works very well. I also like to stop short of the full rep and hold the load as long as possible.
This is a new way to think about training to failure that I learned from this video!
I've restructured my workouts around this advice. Thanks
I recently found your channel through watching Jeff Nippard's channel and I'm really glad I did. At 38 i am doing my best to keep up in the gym. Doing pretty well and every little bit helps. I really enjoy your content and appreciate how you use the science to back up your experience and vice versa. Also how you are knowledgeable of injuries. (As i have quite a few that I must work around daily). There aren't many guys on here that I feel I could actually trust, and you sir are one of the few. Thank you for all the content. Oh!....and tomorrow morning I'm trying your pre workout cream of rice meal. Looking forward to it!
awesome thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Am I too early? 😝 loving your videos since I found your Channel, you deserve a lot more subs.
I hope people are sharing
Am I too late?
A gear head that knows about the science of lifting! What a rare breed!
One of the best minds in the fitness industry !
one of my favorite fitness channels on youtube. my go-to for when im searching for answers.
Thank you!
More than just appreciating the content you put, we appreciate the person, thanks John
THANK YOU!!!!! that means alot to me
I agree that there's a sliding scale to this and that it all has to do with balancing out the variables. I train in the 30-100 rep range, mostly 60-100 reps, and I absolutely have to go to failure to make any gains. I also can't do more than 1 set per bodypart without overtraining because of increased central fatigue. I use a breathing tempo and a full range of motion because I've found that I don't gain as well lifting fast for partial ROM (the strength gains are illusory) and I end up injuring myself. I also have to train 6x a week whole body using those protocols; if I drop down to 3x a week, I just maintain.
Im 60 I can honestly say that because of you and a few other's im in better shape then when I was 40 toner bigger in a good way. I may grow slower then youngers but its way better will I ever look like a body builder? Probably not but i feel way better. Thank you
Kick ass brother!
Great Stuff Mr. Meadows!
thank you!
Great explanation of all around lifting and getting results.
If you don't do ORM how do you know what 85% of that is. I say failure for me is the best way to train and gain lean muscle. The problem is most people overtrain with failure. You don't do high volume you do High Intensity Training to get the best results. I do 4 exercises per muscle group with 2 warmup sets and one Failure and beyond set per exercise and that is it. I do 6-10 reps for the failure range. For me rhis range is heavy enough to generate all the muscle fibers and not to heavy that failure will get you injured. I love this style of training.
DY hit training and Dc training💪🏼💪🏼 like so much your channel JHON!
Exhaustive and solid, cheers from Italy, you deserve much more subscribers as this channel is not bro science
Thats why i really love your training programs!!
Love ya john.. rest in peace 🙏🙏❤❤
The content is getting better and better! Thank you Jonh!
excellent advice, thanx john! i notice because my bench press and my shoulder press aren't as big as i would like them to be i often go to failure even on my 3-6 rep max just to feed my own ego a little bit and hit the number of reps that i am aiming for no matter what, but i trust it might be better to get cleaner reps in rather than end the sets with real lousy form reps at total failure like i often do!
When U can snatch the pebble from JM ✋. Wisdom from the Grand Master. Thank U for always bringing quality advice and tips.
you bet!
I truly respect and appreciate your inclusion of science in your explanation. This was extremely helpful in my humble opinion. Great commentary.
I'm really glad I found this channel and subscribed. Thank you for all the great information. I really appreciate it!
you bet!
Superb and spot on, hopefully everybody take this advice!
Miss u John ..... 😓
Hope your family is doing well.
always revisting the content , good job keeping the youtube up boys
More info about body building brilliant 😀😎
Thanks for breaking it down
There is this missconception of the size prinicple. We know that maximum muscle activation happens over ~80% of max load per muscle fibre! That's not the same as 80% off your max load per movement/exercise. For any multi jointed exercise like bench press or squat with 80% of your 1rm. It is very likely not 80% load on the muscle because the load distributes on many different muscles and muscle areas. It's easily possible that during a 80% lift some muscle fibres are only 30% activated but others work near maximum. That's why tecnique and proper mind muscle connection are so important.
Rest in peace Sir, you are sorely missed!
Love your tips and advice every time you say an advice i wrote those on my notebook.
I do every set to failure, I set my weight to where I can only do 8 to 10 reps to failure once I do a workout were I do 11 clean reps I add weight then it goes back to 8 to 10.
Chad Thundercock your way is ok, but it takes much more time for your muscles to recuperate
Great video. I was actually just reading up on this this week and this totally cleared some things up.
Quality content. Always enjoy the knowledge you have to share. Keep it up
i like working up to a 1 rep max and then doing a drop set to failure. gives me the best of both worlds for strength and size.
So exhausting muscle fibers at 85% of your 1 rep max is the key to hypertrophy it sounds like i.e. a weight you can only do for 6 to 8 reps
Great insights
Very useful and great insight.
Not training to failure has always seemed odd to me. I started in my teens and since then have known no better. I stopped lifting in 05 but have been back at it age 40 for the past 7 months now and loving it again. Its only been this past two weeks i have activly tried not going to failure when going heavy, as to avoid injury as my strength has come back fast, as well as size yet my bones and tendons are struggling to keep up, being older now. it still feels weird stopping short of failure but im getting used to it. there are also alot of studies out there which convinced me it wasnt vital to go to failure for hypotrophy
yea it was weird for me too....but as long as you have a few sets where you really bust ass, you'll be just fine!
Thanks John. that's what I'm finding. So long as I save it for the last set I'm fine with stopping short on failure on the first sets.
I would like to go to failure on every set too, but my middle-aged joints strongly disagree with that approach
@@nboss968 Since then I went back to doing every set to failure lol. my joints and tendons feel fine now though.
Basically ill prioritise intensity over all else. and being able to manage such, so that might mean more rests days? less weight? less volume? different exercise selection?
But I found myself not doing as much volume as I was then per workout and overall per week had me feeling fine.
As Ive always pushed the limits in terms of not only intensity but volume both together which I think as no surprise was hard on my body now being older.
So now i dont push for more volume constantly. i just train each set to failure with adequate volume so as to recover
@papaspaulding thanks for the update all these years later. Definitely still trying to work smarter as I get older. It's crazy how these videos are living on forever.
Love this video john. Special thanks for the comment on training for athleticism. Love and respect to you and your family from Trinidad.
thank you!
Very informative! Keep it up!
Another incredible video john. Because of my rotator cuff injury I found that I must be going %60-85 of my max rep and I was always doubting whether I can build muscle density this way or not! Do you think that muscle density can come without fully overloading the muscle with weight? Thanks you for the video anyways.
yes just need volume, and lighter sets to failure
Great info mountain dog 🐕 keep the videos coming
yes sir!
Great info and excellent presentation.
Thanks John!
Sometime working out get boring and you need to change your work out program to push your self .
Thanks, John! 😎
Great explanation thanks John!
you betcha!
Good video. Good information. Keep up the great work. If I do light weights, I do 5 sets of 30 as fast as I can. Have a good day.
Hi John, when is the best time to take eaas before or after. I have been using bcaas before workout, however I feel tired when I take them. I feel I should be taking bcaas after workout with eaas. I here different information all the time. Any information would be appreciated.
Excellent perspective!!
RIP legend
Thank you for these fantastic tips
I don’t think I’ve ever gotten anymore quality info from anyone else as much as I get from you. You’ve helped me a lot in my lifting journey, thank you!
Cheers John
Love the info John!
I cannot deny your logic
so then my question is if you shouldn’t train to failure on heavy loads then how are you supposed to progressively overload in the gym if you’re purposely not giving absolute maximum effort just to spare your nervous system from being fatigued? PLZ ANSWER
Thank you Sir for this clear answer
Great information
thank you!
awesome video!
Amwesome info, thanks
Hi John, wonderful information as always thank you. Was wondering your opinion about full body workouts for people who are starting out. Is it advisable to do full body a few days a week or concentrate on each body part separately? I have a fb group and people are asking. Thank you
its good 3x a week, and keep volume down for each bodypart
Great video John, very important topic! Kindest regards Richard U.K
Great video,thanx💪💣💥
You have so much to learn from you John 😊👍 Thank you..
Love this guy
indistinguishable fiber is mysoin or simultaneous fluid and solid fiber. basically astral aphysical jelly
It has the pickup rate and power of Ten NASA Space Shuttle Rockets.
Again amazing and complete knowledge. Thank you so much...keep it up 😉
There have been scientifically studies that showed that muscle growth is exactly the same when training with light weight or heavy weight as long as you go to failure. I do believe that you have to change between light and heavy to shock your muscle and that is what gives you the best muscle growth. Still interesting to hear your thoughts. Science is not always right...Light weight for me is 15 reps and heavy 6-8
Those studies aren’t using people who have been training properly for 5-10 years. It’s evident that a truly advanced lifter needs to go heavier to gain muscle because we know that after neurological adaption is maxed the only way you’re getting stronger is gaining more muscle
Excellent video. ....👍
thank you!
Thanks so much for the info, I have a question though; you mostly said that failure isn't always necessary, but is there a negative impact to mostly training to failure if its what I'm used to? By the way, your vids are amazing and so rich with knowledge.
I think 1 true failure set per exercise is good for most people..TRUE failure..
@@mountaindog1 appreciate the reply
@@mountaindog1 This makes total sense for me when I got stronger in the gym the first exercise I would aim for failure on last set then every other exercise I would have at least 1 or 2 good reps left.
Could you do video about how to plan workout. Something like how many sets,reps and which exercices choose for what reason ?
Ur vids r so helpful
I have always struggled with this, everytime I do plyo workout I usually go to failure for 4 sets and two workout (clapping push up and jump squat).I would wake up the next morning feeling lethargic and sick.
Thanks John for sharing :) Since you are talking about load percentages, are you answering specifically more for compound exercises? Because I'm not sure how to calculate 60-80% for isolation exercises, since we probably don't even measure our 1RM on isolations? Usually, I'd just go to failure on isolation exercises. Wanted to hear your thoughts
That is correct
Love you!
Hey john, why not hit failure with a heavy load?? And you didn’t talk about pyramid sets, drop sets, or raise sets
I hit it on last set
How does one not train to failure? How do you know when to stop your set if you aren't going until you can't anymore?
We miss you John
We miss you bro.
Would you put that one set to failure towards the end or the beginning of your sets?
i got you'r idea siir that's pretty cool
If we take a moderate load & take the first set to failure and keep banging out "cluster sets" of 3 to 5 reps (one rep in the tank, would fail on the next rep) until we reach a set rep goal. Rest pause style! Would that be a good way to use a moderate load effectively because of high motor unit recruitment/fatigue?
absolutely!
Great! Thanks for your response & keep doing what you're doing!