15 rm

[tdog47304]

I have found my RM's and am finishing up my 15's. What I have found is that I have been able to complete 2 sets of 15 up until the second to last workout. I completed 1 set of 15 for each exercise then I went back to each exercise and completed a set of 12-15. I wasn't able to complete 2 sets of 15 back-to-back when the weights started getting close to my RM, but by doing just 1 set of 15 for all exercises - then going back to do another set, my muscles had more time to rest or "reset" and I was able to complete another set. I could have completed 15 reps on most but I stopped at 12. I was surprised that when I hit about 10 I could still keep going and it threw me off guard. Anyway - this has worked well for me.
On the last workout of the 15 set cycle (sorry if I am using the wrong terms, I am new at this program) I felt that I could have pushed out a couple more reps. If this is the case, should I add one more workout to increase my 15 rep max? And I know we don't train to failure, but when we get to our final Rep Max, should that workout go to failure? If not - how else can we judge what our RM is if we don't give it all we got?
Thanks for your time.

 

[whistledixie]

Adding an additional session to test your new max would be a great idea. But you don't have to. Your 15 rep max (aka - your strength) went up, whether or not you test it.

After I get past the 15s, I usually start trying to beat my prior RMs by the end of each rep phase. So, let's say I have 150 lbs as my 10 rep max, but I feel like I've gotten stronger and my 15 rep max felt easier than I expected. I'll try to lift 155 or 160 on the 6th 10 rep workout to see if I have increased my RM.

In fact, I'm almost constantly modifying my workout. I make changes based on how I feel it is going, my other obligations outside the gym, recovery, etc.

I try to avoid true failure. I don't want to hurt myself. I don't have bumper plates, so I don't like dumping the bar if I'm not going to make the lift. I want to be able to workout again within a few days. I can usually tell how many reps I have left in me during a set. I stop 1 rep short of failure.

 

[tdog47304]

Thank you for your help on this question. I attempted to increase my RM on the 15s, but my muscles seemed to be stressed quite a bit and with taking only one day rest between workouts. I did complete 2 separate workouts with 1 set lifting my 15RM. I found out that this was quite taxing and created some soreness. I am not afraid of muslce soreness, but I didn't quite have the endurance and strength with limited rest and pushing myself to near failure two workouts in a row.
On my 10RM, I might increase the weight 5-10lbs if I feel that my strength has increased. Hopefully this will be the case. I have already noticed some muscle size increase with just the 15's.