Training to failure ?

[fangshi]

I am revamping my weight training program . the goal being more power . For those of you whom already practice power lifting , do you lift until you can no longer lift (failure ) or just as many as you can do with perfect form ? It is my opinion that a few reps and a higher amount of sets will increase strength more efficiently . And proper form in every rep is key .

Also do you recomend a smaller amount of excersizes in this kind of program ?

[SevenStar]

if you are training for power, what is key is training your neuromuscular system to contract harder - this harder contraction naturally produces more power. One way do do this is maximal poundages with few reps and few sets. Never lift until failure.

As for exercises, I would recommend olympic and other compound movements - cleans, deads, squats, bench, etc. I would also add pullups and plyos twice a week.

[fangshi]

if you are training for power, what is key is training your neuromuscular system to contract harder - this harder contraction naturally produces more power. .

Does this mean muscular tension through the whole excercise ?

[Mr Pockets]

Well, you can lift until failure, so long as failure occurs on the fifth or sixth rep.

[glockmeister]

as Seven star said, never lift to failure..I know alot of those crazy bodybuilder mags always preech to failure. but those are for bodybuilders and most of them are steroid freaks no matter what they say.

[CQC]

As for exercises, I would recommend olympic and other compound movements - cleans, deads, squats, bench, etc. I would also add pullups and plyos twice a week.

The clean and jerk is definately a full body workout, and is one of my personal favorites for strength training. I hate the exercise, but it has great results. Just make sure you're doing it properly, or you can get seriously hurt with heavy weight. The same goes for all lifting techniques, though.