Upon which set of repetitions should I aim to achieve muscle failure?

Question

I have read and heard a lot about ensuring you achieve muscle failure during a workout on the 10th repitition of a weight training excersise. However, I also have read and heard a lot about doing three sets of 10 reps. Upon which set should I first achieve muscle failure? First set, second set or third set?

I find that if I achive muscle failure on the first set at the 10th rep, I am unable to complete 10 reps on the subsequent (2nd and 3rd) sets. What's more important: doing three sets of 10 reps (for 30 reps total) or perhaps doing the first set of 10 reps to failure and then less reps on the subsequent 2nd and 3rd set (for less than 30 reps total)?

Answer 1

going to failure is not necessary for increasing strength or for stimulating hypertrophy but on occasion it's a good shock to the CNS. constantly increasing the intensity of training is far more important then reaching eccentric or concentric failure. when you hit you last rep of the last working set with strict form it's time to increase the load by 10%