How often do you Max out?

**pistonpump** · 01-08-2008, 06:07 PM

^^^

how often do you max out and on what lifts? do you believe it is beneficial to building muscle?

**VolcomX311** · 01-08-2008, 06:43 PM

It's beneficial for sports performance. Training protocols for athletes are determined by their particular 1RM.

I think it's also beneficial for strength athletes, since strength is their objective then a 1RM is a good measure of progress.

As far as bodybuilders. Not really. Ego benefits I suppose, but as far as making you a better bodybuilder, I don't think maxing out serves a purpose.

With that said, I've maxed out on the deadlift a couple times, pulling 495lbs when I was 197lbs.

rpen22 · 01-08-2008, 07:12 PM

I pretty much never max out. I don't see a benefit to it.

I'm a bodybuilder, not a powerlifter.

**B5150** · 01-08-2008, 07:15 PM

I'm with Ryan.

I used to once in a while when I first began to get strong but I know I am not anymore and...I could hurt myself

**pistonpump** · 01-08-2008, 07:27 PM

i guess its an ego thing for me then.

tunnelrat · 01-08-2008, 07:27 PM

once a microcycle (7-8 weeks or so).

i lift for strength and functionality; so yeah, it's important to me

.

beneficial to building muscle: see above. however, if my absolute strength is increasing, so are the #s in my assistance work, which equals bigger me.

Jstrong20 · 01-08-2008, 10:37 PM

I do westside style so once every week.

ClintCanada · 01-09-2008, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VolcomX311

It's beneficial for sports performance. Training protocols for athletes are determined by their particular 1RM.

I think it's also beneficial for strength athletes, since strength is their objective then a 1RM is a good measure of progress.

As far as bodybuilders. Not really. Ego benefits I suppose, but as far as making you a better bodybuilder, I don't think maxing out serves a purpose.

With that said, I've maxed out on the deadlift a couple times, pulling 495lbs when I was 197lbs.

Totally correct . . .
I've started to do 2 weeks with moderate reps for hypertrophy say 7-10 rep range and to satisfy ego every 3rd week for strength 1-3 rep range . . . and I do an extra set or two on strength days -- low reps are good for sports and to shock the system -- teaches your motor units to all fire at once

smokey the bear · 01-10-2008, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClintCanada

low reps are good for sports and to shock the system -- teaches your motor units to all fire at once

BINGO....... I feel that maxing out too frequently can actually be counter-productive and promote overtraining...

I am a football player and definitely benefit from maximum exertion lifts... I only max out on my Olympic Lifts, and only preform a 2RM rather than a true 1RM. I will only test my 2RM about every other week, in only one exercise, alternating which lifts/muscle group get tested each week.

My training goes through phases of change in volume vs weight. At a later stage in my training, when the reps are relatively low, i will go for my 2RM once per week, in the same fashion as described above.

gotripped · 01-10-2008, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistonpump

i guess its an ego thing for me then.

pp u homo. i am about to run this stinkin sus500 and you haven't even looked at my thread.

**pistonpump** · 01-10-2008, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotripped

pp u homo. i am about to run this stinkin sus500 and you haven't even looked at my thread.

yeah, this coming from a guy that says "just Jam it".... fag.

Anyway ive been tempted to hit the sus500 too but i think ill start it at the end of this month.

ill check out your thread

thesinner · 01-10-2008, 07:22 AM

Never.

When I'm finally given the instance where maxing out is going do something to benefit my fitness goals, I'll gladly do it. Currently, I feel it is too taxing on the CNS and offer too much risk of injury for the ends to justify the means for me. Only application I've ever found was so I could bat out a number when someone asks how much my max is.

ITHURTZ · 01-11-2008, 03:01 AM

I think the last time I tried to max out was when I was 19? From what I remember. so 4 years ago. I just lift

**BigVrunga** · 01-11-2008, 10:14 AM

Maybe 4 times a year, unless Im on a strength training program that requires it more often.

packers1200 · 03-31-2008, 01:24 PM

if it is a rep max then it is fine to do it more often. 1 rep max is pointless to me. I was in a sports training program for football and we did the 225 rep max once per week after our friday workouts and it was nice to see the improvements and helped my strength.