Research
Mixed
Proximity to failure does not significantly influence muscle hypertrophy, as hypertrophy outcomes were similar across all training groups despite differences in strength.
You do not need to train to failure to build muscle. This study found no clear difference in muscle growth between training close to failure and stopping well before failure. Focus on consistent volume and progressive overload rather than grinding out reps to failure.
ModerateRefutesLOW confidence
For muscle hypertrophy, our data do not provide strong conclusions as to the effects of proximity to failure due to the large variability observed.
Why this rating
Preprint status and high variability in muscle thickness measurements reduce confidence.
Source
Effect of Resistance Training Proximity to Failure on Muscular Adaptations and Longitudinal Fatigue in Trained Men
Zac P. Robinson et al. · 2023
DOI 10.51224/srxiv.343
preprint · n=38Cited 1×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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