Last set?

[Phate]

I'm just finishing my first week of Hypertrophy I, so it's taking a little guessing on the loading of the weights. I do pretty good at the 5x5 and 4x10 but I usually go to heavy on the 3x15. My question is for the last set would it be better to finish out at a heavier weight knowing I would only get 10 or 11 reps with that weight or drop the weight down and get all 15 reps.
For example, my first set of shoulder presses was 25x15, my second set was 25x15, but I had form failure at about 12. So on my last set I dropped down to 20x15. Would it have been better to stay at 25 and only get like 10 reps?
BTW, only 30 rest is very humbling on those supersets.

[austintwo]

Since I'm exactly where you are on Hypertrophy I, I'll throw out an answer here, subject to correction by those more knowledgeable.

I have read well respected trainers who have written other programs (I'm specifically remembering Ian King saying this in his programs) advise to use a weight at which you can finish all prescribed reps with good form in the first week of a program. Since this phase requires 24 workouts, I figure there's plenty of time to push to failure in later weeks, rather than for the full eight weeks.

That's going to be my approach on the first run through each workout, anyway.

Lou?

[eastcoastsurfer]

I think you want to make sure you get all the reps. Either you can drop the weight or as I've seen on here before, when you reach failure stop for a few seconds and then finish the last couple reps. I'm not sure if one way is preferred over the other.

[Phate]

Originally Posted by eastcoastsurfer

when you reach failure stop for a few seconds and then finish the last couple reps.

That's what I did on my second set when I hit my 12 rep. I know CW recommends dropping the weight if you can't get all the reps in a set so I figured that's what I'd do here. Like you said, it's more important to get the reps.
What threw me off was during the Break-In I was using 30 and 35 for my 2 sets of 15. So I thought 25 would be cake.
I quickly found out that 30 sec rest is not a very long time. I just ran out of steam.

[eastcoastsurfer]

I think if you *know* you won't be able to get all the reps then drop the weight. If it's going to be close, go with the same weight and just finish the last couple reps like you did.

I would just be careful to not impose any limits on what you're doing, and dropping the weight just b/c you think you won't be able to get it When in doubt I alway add a few pounds since it's easy to finish the set the way you did or drop it on the next set. Nothing irks me more than blowing through a set and feeling like I should've had more weight :p