Increase Your Training Intensity - Training To Failure

You can only build muscle tissue if you can generate progressively stronger muscular contractions, so this calls for an emphasis on finding ways to increase exercise intensity. This should not be confused with exercise duration as maximum training intensity will actually shorten the time needed to achieve maximal muscular growth.

In an earlier article I outlined the ways in which you can intensify your training. Here we'll focus on the role that training to failure has to play in intensifying the training effect.

Anything less than maximum effort will reduce the effectiveness of your muscle building workout. The only way to force an optimal reaction in any muscle is to train it to failure - in other words, no matter how much effort you put in you are simply incapable of completing one more rep of a given exercise.

Too many people seem to finish a set when they reach a certain number of reps, but the body will only show significant change if you ask it to do something extra. Only by passing through the break-over point of momentary muscle failure will you stimulate the muscle to grow.

Anyone starting out on their bodybuilding career should not attempt this method of training as it could lead to serious injury. Spend several months perfecting exercise form and conditioning the body to lift heavier weights before gradually introducing training to failure.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Advice to learn more about the issues covered in this article.

---

BMI Calculator Results

BMI, Body Mass Index, is the most popular and simple... Read More

Real Muscle Real Fast!

Adding muscle seems to be a mystery to most, yet... Read More

Muscle Gain Visualization Tips

Visualization can play an important part in gaining weight and... Read More

Before and After Photos in Fitness Magazines

Some supplement companies will go to any lengths to prove... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Deadlift

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Bodybuilding Protein

What helps make comedy also builds muscle?This is key to... Read More

Personal Lactate Threshold Training

These are not the reasons we do Lactate Threshold Training.What... Read More

Personal Training: 3 Powerful Ways to Position Yourself as an Expert

Regardless of what profession you are in, it is critical... Read More

Hair Removal Tips For Bodybuilders

One of the most time consuming and frustrating parts of... Read More

Pipes, Guns, Bazookas - Killer Biceps

Pipes. Guns. Bazookas.Take your pick. Grab your weapon of choice.This... Read More

3 Biggest Benefits of Strength Training

Strength training is exercise that uses resistance to strengthen and... Read More

Gain Weight Fast With These Ten Powerful Tips! Part -2

By the time you finish reading this you will have... Read More

Weight Lifting 101

WHY WEIGHT LIFTING?What's the one thing that you can do... Read More

Body Building for beginners

Body building or even just showing up at a gym... Read More

Know Your Muscles - The Mid-Section

Becoming familiar with the muscles that make up your body... Read More

Muscle-Building Exercises and Growth-Boosters

I have 'emerged' some subtle bodybuilding techniques that infuse rapid... Read More

Key Elements for a Bigger Bench Press

Proper positioning on a weight bench to maximize leverageKeep the... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Barbell Bent-Over Row

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Protein or Carbohydrates?

This has got to be the biggest controversy in modern... Read More

Balance Is Key To The Optimum Physique

As Purposeful Primitives we understand the need practice two distinct... Read More

The Amazing Benefits of Resistance Training

When it comes to exercise, resistance training is often overlooked.... Read More

5 Familiar Bodybuilding Troubles...Which Do You Want To Overcome?

In my 3 decades of training experience I have identified... Read More

Are You Over Training in the Gym?

Every set was taken to positive failure, with three or... Read More

The Health Risks Associated With The Use Of Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids are classed as illegal drugs and are banned... Read More

Increase Your Training Intensity - Forced Repetitions

You can only build muscle tissue if you can generate... Read More

Know Your Muscle Building Exercises - The Shoulders

Every bodybuilder and weight trainer will have his or her... Read More

The Secret Of The Perfect Program!

Another critical factor to be aware of, is the efficient... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Triceps Pushdown

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Perfects Abs - Three Ab Routines To Show Your Six Pack

Crazy, ripped, hard abs. That's the key to showing an... Read More

Weight Gain Myths

The vast majority of myths about weight gain are mostly... Read More

The Ultimate Hard Body Exercise

The Front Squat:As you may have already discovered, the squat... Read More

Secret Training Tip #242 - Be 10% Stronger in Leg Curls Instantly!

This is a trick to be done on a leg... Read More

The Role Of Repetitions In Your Muscle Building Program

Repetitions are the basic building blocks of any strength or... Read More