Is Muscular Failure Bad?

Q: The Program Design for the Ectomorph is by far the best article I have ever read for ectomorphs, which I am, and I've been weight training for over twenty years. You dispel a lot of myths, thankfully. I have some questions.

 1. Do you train the above program 3 times a week? 

 2. Using Vince Gironda's 10-8-6-15, do you train to failure on each set (i.e. use 10RM / 8RM / 6RM / 15RM) or is training to failure bad for ectomorphs?

 3. I've normally trained no more than 12 sets per workout. The above workout is 24 sets. Isn't it a bit much for an ectomorph?

 4. I'd like to buy one of your books to read more - which would you recommend for ectomorphs specifically?

 Thanks for an absolutely brilliant article.

 Kalwant
Leeds, England


My Answer: Yes you would perform the workout three times per week.  With regards to training to failure, yes you train to failure on your 10RM / 8RM / 6RM and 15 rep max.  Training to failure is not best for strength building, but it is good for SIZE building.

With regards to the total number of sets in the workout, high volume training is better for hypertrophy gains than low volume.  As long as you stick to the rest periods, you will keep the workout to an hour.

As far as which of my books is best for you as an ectomorph, I would suggest High Tension Exercises for Muscular Growth and Neo-Classical Bodybuilding.  High Tension Exercises for Muscular Growth is the most comprehensive book on muscle building. It showcases the best exercises and reveals the fiber makeup for each muscle group.





Neo-Classical Bodybuilding reveals the how of muscle building and how different types of training have different effects on muscle hypertrophy.




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