Maxing-Out vs. Working to a Top Single

I don’t approach a max-out session in the same way I approach the process of working up to a single. A true max-out session can be great and important, especially if you follow a percentage-based training program, but I prefer working to a high single for most trainees because this can be done at a higher frequency, and I find it to be safer. Maxing-out is rugged - lift a weight, add weight, lift again (and continue until you either fail or die). Working up to a single requires more strategy - you don’t want to actually fail (or die), you want to work up to a little before that point, and then move on. I explain the differences in how I view a max-out session vs. a “work up to a single” session in this episode.