What is Positive Failure?

 

Positive failure is an interesting concept, though it may not sound as though failure is a positive. Positive failure is when a muscle group fails not from being tired, but because it no longer has the force in order to create the desired effort. Positive failure is a great way for growth. All too often, the typical weight lifter exhausts his body to the point that it is no longer able to grow.  Typically, a workout style such as Max-OT will do this, 

Extra sets done ad infinitum do not really encourage muscle growth, but when performed consistently.  In reality the concept of hypertrophy, or working a muscle past the point it is tired will cause muscle break down. It is always important to change it up, and hypertrophy in small quantities, can cause growth. When done consistently is can set you back.

Now, I do not want an individual to read this, and come to the conclusion to lift as heavy as possible, with total disregard for safety. Positive failure is about the proper warm up style, proper overload and consistent safety. Every rep should be a quality rep. If you wish to learn more about this concept, since there is a lot to it, feel free to contact me or to schedule a training session.

 Happy Lifting,

                         JR