Volume vs intensity for longevity

[Beau Eckerson]

Thanks so much for all your great content both on the app and otherwise. You mention somewhat frequently that you’ve seen high training volume being the biggest cause of orthopedic issues, and I was curious if in your opinion this changes when ones don’t train to failure. The reason I ask is that with my own joint/connective tissue pain, everything seems to hurt the worst when I push to failure even when I try my best to match up alignment and keep the volume low. Also, anecdotally seeing bodybuilders like Jay Cutler and Serge Nubret that focus in extremely high volume and don’t train near failure that are able to continue working out reportedly without pain as opposed to ones like Tom Prince and Kevin Levrone who went to failure that had to stop lifting weights due to pain/injuries. In your professional opinion, do you feel that upping volume but not going to failure could be a more viable option for long term joint health for some people? Thanks again for all your knowledge.

[BryceBahm]

[Beau Eckerson]

Thank you very much. Some really helpful points you’ve made. That does make sense, as some times when I approach one or two reps from failure and my nervous system starts to accumulate more fatigue, I start to feel the tension in the tendons and joints as opposed to the contraction if the muscle. Thanks again!

[Author]

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