
Originally Posted by
Swellin
I ain't Coldstone, but I can answer your question. There are a couple of reasons why you want to stop with this "arbitrary number." First, you still need to complete a static hold. The longer you continue to do RP sets, the more fatigued you will be, and at some point...I assure you failure will be an issue. In all likelihood, your first set of 1 rep will be the last time you can get the weight once and still complete a 6-8 second negative. You complete this negative on the last rep of every "mini-set." On the other reps, you use a controlled 3-4 second negative until you fail to lift the weight. When you fail, your spotter helps you get the weight to the top, and the 8 second negative is on you!
Imagine pushing this thing for more sets. You are completely missing an entire facet of this training....recovery. The point of using low volume is so you recover faster and can hit that muscle again. You will work the muscle more times in a 52 week period than you ever could using volume training. The reason you are able to accomplish this.....low volume. By adding volume, you are increasing recovery time. "Adding volume," you quip, "I am not adding volume...only a couple more reps." This is where you are wrong. You are adding sets. The fact that you can only get one rep and you fail has no impact on set count...it is a set, and is still more volume.
Don't get me wrong, I am not speaking for Dante..I am speaking based on my understanding of his principles.
Perhaps, we can get IH to come in here for any additional questions. It seems like Dante is a bit busy lately...training people to be giants.