I try to go to failure on each set for each exercise i do. i never stop at a certain number of reps. i do count reps and go to at least 8-12 at the minimum at then take it to failure from there which is usually only 1-2 reps more anyway but at that point i cant do another one.
the feeling from going to failure really makes me feel like im doing something
I mix up my workouts so on some weeks, I do go to failure with low weight/high reps sets, but there are other weeks where I am not going to failure with medium weight/medium reps, and heavy weight/low reps sets.
The reason I do this is because if I do 12 reps instead of 10 just to go to failure, that will get me tired. If my goal for the next set is to do another 10 reps, I may not be able to hit that goal, and I may have exhausted myself such that I can't even do 8. My total tonnage has gone down. Does it matter? I've pushed myself to the max. Yes, it matters. I may be able to hit my strength goals, but if I am constantly going to failure, I am not able to hit my mass growing goals.
