what i do is assist exercises are just that, to assist in bringing up your weak points. higher reps with lighter weights enables you to increase the size of the muscle i.e. what bodybuilders do, then the powerlifts strengthen the muscle. example for barbell rows, 3X10 would be, 1st set 1X10 with 135, then 185X10, then 3 sets at 225X 10, if on your last set you only get 8, thats fine, next time try to get 10 reps before adding weight.
-Prosit
i startet doing assistance work-sets, that are some reps away from failure.
I do straight sets with same reps and weights for each sets.
But when i feel in a training after 5 sets, that a weight has become too easy (not challanging any more), should i add weight/reps/sets not until next session (because it’s ok, that it feels a little bit lighter one time) or do more sets in the same session to be challanged in this training session (so that I am challanged and stayed also at straight sets)
Or is both possible and it falls in the category “go out and find out what is best for you”?
I’ll be very thankful, if somebody answers,
Yours Tommy 