Partials to Failure on Big Lifts?

Bigger Stronger Leaner Competitive Bodybuilding
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I’ve been keeping up with Bizarre’s Physique Clinic ( http://www.T-Nation.com/readPhysClin.do?id=1824542&pageNo=2 ), and his last leg workout left me at a bit of a loss.

his first exercise was:
Back Squat 6-8 reps. Consisting of 2 sets of reps to failure, rest 10 secs, reps to failure, rest 10 secs, reps to failure and then do partials to failure.

Even with a group of spotters, going to true failure on squats so many times and then partials to failure just seems like a sure way to kill yourself. It would work fine with the leg press, extensions and curls as prescribed for later in the routine. How do you interpret Thib’s new routine? Near failure?

I liked the look of the first couple workouts so I went ahead and gave them a try, I’ve been on a high volume routine for a few months now and this new routine seems like a nice change of pace. I’ve done the first two workouts (which were great!!!), and am planning to do this leg day tomorrow. But I’ve been going to all out and utter muscle failure, barely able to move my own body parts following the sets. I just can’t see how thats possible with squats and wondering what you all think… Thanks!

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[quote]Swamp Monster wrote:
I’ve been keeping up with Bizarre’s Physique Clinic, and his last leg workout left me at a bit of a loss.

his first exercise was:
Back Squat 6-8 reps. Consisting of 2 sets of reps to failure, rest 10 secs, reps to failure, rest 10 secs, reps to failure and then do partials to failure.

Even with a group of spotters, going to true failure on squats so many times and then partials to failure just seems like a sure way to kill yourself. It would work fine with the leg press, extensions and curls as prescribed for later in the routine. How do you interpret Thib’s new routine? Near failure?

I liked the look of the first couple workouts so I went ahead and gave them a try, I’ve been on a high volume routine for a few months now and this new routine seems like a nice change of pace. I’ve done the first two workouts (which were great!!!), and am planning to do this leg day tomorrow. But I’ve been going to all out and utter muscle failure, barely able to move my own body parts following the sets. I just can’t see how thats possible with squats and wondering what you all think… Thanks!
[/quote]

Rest-pause (which is the format you’re describing) is a kick ass method of lifting (if you’re advanced enough to be using it) IMO.

But, most of the vets who use and advocate the use of rest-pause don’t advocate using it on squats (or any exercise that puts a lot of stress on the low back). It takes a lot out of you and there’s just too much risk of your form going to hell on the rest-pause sets (which drastically increases the possibility of injury).

Therefore I honestly wouldn’t suggest using it on squats, deads, or any exercise where low back integrity might be compromised. Instead, for quads try doing 20 rep squats. Basically pick a weight that you could get for about 10 reps to failure, and do 20 reps with it.

You’ll have to stop and rest between reps in order to get there of course (this is also why these are called “breathing” squats, because you’ll be breathing HARD between reps), but do not re-rack the bar until you complete all 20 reps.

All of this is assuming that you are actually advanced enough to be using this style of lifting though.