Okay, thanks. I guess that's a bit more finessing than I'm prepared to commit to at this point. Good to know, though.
Just curious, smilingsynic and atticus, how often do you guys go all out to the last rep in a workout? And when you don't, how many more reps could you have done at the end of a set had you gone all out? Do you have a rule of thumb you follow?
I can only go all out once a week without burning out. I am going on 44 in less than a week. I keep going until I can do no more. Here is how I do "all out": I load the bar with all of the weight I can lift for 4 or so reps, and then remove weight and keep cranking out 4 more with the lower weight, and when I can do no more, take off more weight and do four or so more. No rest in between descending sets, except to remove weights/pick up another set of dumbbells. I don't do that with deadlifts or with barbell squats, though. If I do 16-20 reps, every rep is hard. Most people who do 16-20 reps only struggle with the final two or three. I struggle with each one.
Interesting, since I've just decided the other day that I'd also go all out on only one of my 3 workouts a week. Good to know. However, although I reduce the resistance on each set to stay in the rep range, the idea of doing so without rest in between sets sounds a bit overwhelming. I think I'll pass on that little twist for now. Thanks for your response, but please also answer my other question regarding how many reps you normally "leave in the tank" on your non-max days.
I can't do high-intensity workout on an empty stomach. that includes resistance work. I get dizzy and have no energy. But for low-intensity cardio, like leisurely biking on the stationary bike or brisk walking, i will exercise on an empty stomach, sometimes for 2+ hours. During low-intensity workouts, your body can get more of its energy needs from fat. For higher intensity work, fat can't supply the energy fast enough. you need sugar
Maybe you have below-average genetics? I worked out for a solid 3.5 years during my prime (19-23). With only creatine and whey protein, I went from 185 pounds at 6'3, to 245 pounds with a 32 inch waist. It's more than possible. And get this - I hadn't even plateaued or incorporated deadlifts into my routine. Towards the end, when I got bored and later quit, I was doing 3 and a half plates per side, on squat (half-way down, but still adding weight). Now, ten years later, I can barely eek out 10 push-ups and struggle with 1 plate per side, ATG. Getting back into the swing of it. wow
How do you know when you're completely recovered from the previous workout? Soreness is totally gone? Does soreness matter?