Pre Exhaust - Good or Bad

[simon m]

I'd like views on pre exhaust.

I'm using it more as I get older as I can't lift as heavy as I once did due to injuries and being an old fart.

I know that Martin and Meat don't seem to rate it, but it makes sence to me: you isolate the muscle and work to failure, then use a compound exercise to wring every last drop from the muscle tissue.

It's knackering, but does mean that you've not sold youself short intensity wise.

Any thoughts, or experience of possitive/negtatives of this approach would be welcome.

[Billy the Fish]

To be honest, it has never appealed to me, never tried it. That's not to say I don't agree with its principles.

[Tom]

nackering the muscle to death doesnt always give the best results. I think a decent 6 reps out of a muscle that is fresh will yield more return than 6 reps out of a nackered muscle that will put little effort into the contraction... if that makes any sense?

then again ive never used them and never tell people to, it could work wonders for people,

[MartinM]

Its a technique developed by people who don't know how to train and think 'intensity' = gains. It has no physiological principle related to muscle growth.

I've never used it but have always liked the idea of it....... until I realised it was pointless

If you enjoy it and get gains, go for it, theres little point in me trying to convince you otherwise

[Bison]

Never appealed to me either. Never tried it and doubt I ever will.

I don't see how hitting a muscle with lightish isolation exercises before a heavy compound exercise can do anything but invite poor form and/or injury. Also it can only force you to lower the weight for the compound... a bit pointless surely?

[James Copping]

Also for what its worth EMS studies have shown that there is less stimulation in the target muscle in the 2nd lift after pre exhaust.

[Richard]

Agree with the above, I think you'd get better returns from putting all your effort into the main lift.

[simon m]

Thanks for the feed back.

I understand where people are coming from, but I'm trying to find ways to limit the strain on my joints due top the various injuries I have and this seems to work, but I might change at the end of the month and give a straight sets routine a go.

Thanks

Simon

[GALTONATOR]

i have used it and periodically it works for me

[Bison]

Quote

Thanks for the feed back.

I understand where people are coming from, but I'm trying to find ways to limit the strain on my joints due top the various injuries I have and this seems to work, but I might change at the end of the month and give a straight sets routine a go.

Thanks

Simon

If you're just simply trying to lower the weight needed on the big lifts to protect your joints then the best thing to do is raise the reps and/or lower rest times, imho.