Training to Failure vs. Keeping Reps in Reserve – What’s Your Approach?

I’ve been experimenting with both training to failure and leaving a few reps in the tank, but I’m curious how others balance the two. On one hand, pushing to failure feels like it maximizes effort, especially on isolation moves. On the other, holding back a rep or two lets me recover faster and keep intensity high across all my sets.

What’s your experience been? Do you find one approach works better for strength versus hypertrophy, or does it depend on the lift? Would love to hear what’s worked for you and why.

Failure’s overrated. Leave a rep in the tank keeps the pain fresh for next time. Strength or size, it’s all about controlled suffering.