Failure vs. Exhaustion

Hi Kurt,

When I think of failure in regards to training, I think of training to the point where my form/technique begins to break due to muscle fatigue. Exhaustion is the point where the muscles start to fatigue due to the weight/reps that I am performing. To a degree exhaustion and muscle fatigue go hand and hand depending on your training; if you’re training to failure you will experience exhaustion but might fight through it until your form breaks which will then be the failure stage.

/agree with top.

To failure usually implies the amount of reps in a ladder form. Doing as many as possible with a given weight, then lowering the weight and pumping out more, and continuing until there is no juice left.

Exhaustion is different because it has to be reached through a higher weight or with an advanced form of rep.

As an example, HRT is done with exhaustion- specifically in the eccentric phase of the lift.

Pushing the weight in concentric phase then lowering in the eccentric phase for a 5 count forces the muscles to activate in a way that the body is not used to and is forced to compensate for.

Hello Kurt,
Failure, Exhaustion, Fatigue are all similiar whether they are mental or physical.
What we demand from our bodies may not be what we expect the outcome to be!

Sincerely,
Michael

Failure seems to be the inability to perform a task. Exhaustion seems to me like a measure of energy. You could still have lots of energy but not be able to move a large weight.

Good answers. Perhaps they are synonymous. When strength training temporary failure in 12-15 RM is certainly most important.

Take care.