I think you guys have touched on this before, but I was wondering if doing each rep during your work sets with as much force and speed as you can muster is, for lack of better words, what you’re supposed to do. I’ve never really thought about it before. Is it true that you should?
thanks for taking the time to answer
Unless you are specifically doing tempo work for other reasons, there is some evidence that this style of lifting provides greater benefits, yes.
I’d just like to share a personal anecdote here.
About a year and a half ago, I was of the same opinion based on what I had read. I had a 1 RM bench of 325 after about 2 months of 5x5. During my 2nd set of my work weight, 225, I pushed with all my might from the get go and ended up tearing one of my pecs, losing most of my pec major, the inferior portion at the insertion end. It felt like tearing a wet hand towel. I think being 34 at the time had something to do with it.
I ended up going for a surgical repair and still have a major defect since it’s hard to stitch up hamburger.
Be careful. Control the weight. I now ease into “maximum effort.” Sometimes your testosterone can outpace your durability.