Training to failure increases sarcoplasmic hypertrophy (makes muscles bigger by storing more sarcoplasm, but doesn't increase strength since sarcoplasm is a liq

Training to failure increases sarcoplasmic hypertrophy (makes muscles bigger by storing more sarcoplasm, but doesn't increase strength since sarcoplasm is a liquid that doesn't contract (read: impart strength)). If you're at the low end of your BMI range, training to failure helps you get gains to look less like a labor camp inmate. Training not-to-failure increases myofibrillar hypertrophy which is more strength related (increases muscle fibers, which actually contract and control strength). Now, training to-failure isn't 100% sarcoplasmic. You will get stronger training to failure, just not as fast as training not-to-failure. But, training not-to-failure won't fill out the arm holes of your t-shirts. A good starter plan to look solid: two months of to-failure, then back off and do two months of almost-to-failure (within 2-3 reps of failure, but never failing), then finish up with two months of never more than half way to failure. Training to-failure gives your muscles a more "puffy" look (because they are filled with the liquid sarcoplasm—the key ingredient in sarcasm). Training not-to-failure makes muscles more dense giving you the appearance of being more cut. More at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_hypertrophy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_hypertrophy Or you can say to hell with weight training and just become a gymnast.