There are those that advocate training to "absolute momentary failure" and others that do not. There are those that advocate training to "absolute momentary failure" for a designed time, and then designing a time period where one doesnt, and visa versa. However, there isnt a designed weight training blanket in the world, that fits everyone, and thus the confusion and associated irritation for the poor person new to weight training.
The way one trains is a close kin to how one diets. For example, one could (more easily) over train dependent on the number of exercises, sets, reps, rest periods, AND going to failure--when deficite dieting for extended periods than one eating in a diet surplus for extended period of time.
Lets face some facts when it comes to deficit dieting. You are inhibiting energy and thus the body is FORCED to feed on ITSELF for a SOURCE OF FOOD. Recoverability is NOT optimized but rather compromised.
There are those that have trained to momentary failure, and just manipulated the sets, reps, number of exercises, and number of rest days, and performed and progressed just fine (I am an example). And, there are those that have trained just short of momentary failure, and manipulated the sets, reps, and number of rest days and performed and progressed just fine. Either one CAN WORK, which is best is determined by the individual person.
Personally, I like to train to "momentary failure". I manipulate the sets, reps, number of exercises, rest periods (days off weight training--to allow recovery), and keep a keen eye on progression (or adaptive overload), because I see "these" core units as the most important.
EDIT: In addition, most persons think that training "heavy" with low reps is the key. While this CAN BE true, this ISNT the key for everyone. Training heavy is taxing on the CNS, and CAN BE too much on a person deficit dieting and CAN BE counter productive dependent on how one is manipulating sets, reps, exercises, rest days, and diet deficits. "Sometimes" a higher rep range CAN BE more productive dependent on several factors and personal goals. When I say I high, and I am referring to reps around 12. In my opinion, one has to develop a weight training system that that FORCES the body to adapt--EACH workout--in "some fashion". For example, if one did 10 reps on Flat bench press, the next rep goal is 11; however, we all know that "sometimes" we just dont go one workout to the next progressing so freely with +1 or +2 reps from the workout before. Therefore, when failure occurrs at 10 (again), rack it, wait about 10 seconds or so, and punch out 1 or 2 more. This is something you didnt do before and will be a "stimulant" to force the body to adapt and get stronger (just one example among many to use).
I train to failure on all exercises, except the squat since I train alone. Yes, sometimes I have the flat bench press bb on my chest, and have to roll it off, but have learned to deal with it when this happens. The squat however, is a different beast with the squat rack I have at home, and Im not messing around with that.
JUST DO IT!
Chillen
