BigWillyStyle said:
In order to maximise muscle growth, is it best to do last set reps to failure?
Why not? Unless you're a powerlifter getting close to a meet or something.
if your goal is bodybuilding and putting on as much mass as possible I'd say yes. I would only advise against going to failure on every set though. Yet if it's your top set take it all they way. If you're doing some pressing or saying curling even drop a "Rest pause set after. To take it another level. (do your top set to failure and then resting only about 10-12 secs and picking up the weight again for a few more reps)
This guy for instance shows true "muscle failure" Which I think most should strive for if size is the goal.
http://www.youtube.com/user/thewarrior1#p/u/24/oNviVgepF-E his other vids are great to demonstrate the intensity needed to make drastic changes in size/strength.
He does 3 rest pauses...which is for more advanced lifters though (a la dc). Most of us are fine with just 1.
Even if you don't write down what numbers your pushing you should always remember to strive for more reps or more weight on your top sets (and at times just perfect form). This will of course mean hitting failure at times to surpass a plateau.
