Why don't we always go for the missed rep?

[Gamal]

Mark, I appreciated your video and podcast last week encouraging the lifter not to "chicken out" of a rep and rack the bar. Missing a rep provides data, while if you rack it you get nothing.

I am left wondering why lifters shouldn't *always* go for a missed last rep. Why not see if there's another one in there?

Now, I can see not doing this on the first two sets, because then I might not have enough left to do the third set. But why not go for broke on the third set?

Is the reason because always going for a max effort will lead to chronic soreness, or a breakdown of form that tempts fate, or it trains the lifter to expect a failed rep? Is it something else?

Thanks for all you do.

[Mark Rippetoe]

The programming calls for 3 sets of 5 across, not 2x5 and one set to failure. Once your program is dialed in, if you do 2x5 and 1x8, you will not be recovered for the next workout. This is "exercise" thinking, seeing what you can do today instead of planning the process.