Here’s a question I just received from a reader that enters everyone’s mind at one time or another…
“Who said train to failure?”
Good question.
But a better question would be…
What is your definition of failure?
By now everyone should know that progression is the key to improvement in any activity whether it is mental or physical.
Once the goal or target is set, plans must be made and then accompanied by action.
The action must be paced to avoid fatigue, be it either physical or mental.
This is where recuperation comes in.
When is recuperation necessary?
It depends on the individual and the circumstances.
The Origins: Alan Calvert and Early Barbell Training
Over one hundred years ago repetitions were used as one of the building blocks of barbell exercise.
The pioneers of the time such as Alan Calvert stated, for example, that you should simply adjust the amount of weight in the upper body exercises so that you can comfortably perform 8 repetitions before resting.
I’ll go out on a limb here, and say that Calvert meant any attempt at a 9th repetition resulted in failure.
Do you agree?
So I think it is safe to say that Calvert was one of the first to say, “train to failure.”
Training vs. Straining: Knowing the Difference
Remember, however, we are discussing “training,” not “straining,” here.
To the best of my knowledge, straining was not recommended anywhere in any of the early classic publications on building functional strength and a shapely physique.
John Grimek’s Rule: Train Until You Are “Comfortably Tired”
In more recent times, I would listen to the recommendations of John Grimek.
Grimek’s golden rule: Leave the gym feeling good, not exhausted.
He would explain that when the York gang trained, they did it because they enjoyed it.
They all trained until they were “comfortably tired” or until the muscles were engorged with blood.
Understand the difference now?
During the course of their routine exercise schedules, no one pulled a biceps tendon out of the insertion as has been recorded in recent years.
This is not to say that injuries did not occur, but when they did, they were almost exclusively during competition or single record attempts.
Furthermore, Grimek said that you should leave the gym feeling good, not exhausted.
There is much more to be said of barbell training in the early days by Calvert.
An excellent source of that information is from the master himself and can be found at:
And, by the way, what are your feelings about training to failure?
I’d be interested to know.
Until the next time…
Yours for greater strength,
Bill Hinbern
Super Strength Training
P.S. “Two of your most valuable resources: Your time and your attention.”
P.P.S. Mark Berry trained John Grimek as well as the 1932 and 1936 United States Olympic Teams. See what he has to say about barbell training here: