Why You Shouldn't Max Every Workout - Central Nervous System (CNS) Fatigue and Maximal Training

There's a lot of controversy around CNS Fatigue and strength training. This is a breakdown of some of the training observations we make with maximal training and how it corresponds to the timing of training and peaking.

[trevorbaker]

To further credit this video: I was stuck at a 315 bench for 6+ months because I was training to RPE 9.5-10 on every bench session thinking that I needed to push myself that hard to grow. I then started training in the RPE 7-8 range and I went from 315 to 335 in 3 weeks.

[psyoperator]

I been maxing out every workout for the past 36 years, and I am benching 123.25 lbs... So I think I know what I am doing, Brah...

[bobcooter]

You ever thought of teaching high school when you're older? You have a great combo of an easy to understand breakdown and an aggression/ego free respect commanding presence. In a bad neighbourhood especially you'd be changing lives left and right. Obviously by then you'll be stinking rich and doing it outta' the kindness of your heart...

[cliffcox]

As a cyclist, I have to say accumulated fatigue is a real deal. If you go hard day after day and try to do one of your first work outs, you will not be able to do it.. You need rest to accumulate the results of your effort days.

[daveosborne]

Bromley consistently blends the research he reads with his real world experience. There’s always great content, delivered well and this one is no exception.

[david_thomas]

Literally THE best strength training channel I've ever found - this man needs millions of subs 💙

[Ozee.Aaron]

Hi Alexander, Your outstanding education and information in regards to all things programming has helped me break a 3 year hiatus in my front squat! 50 years old and hit a 200kg front squat which I thought I’d never do again! I’ve read a lot about different styles of programming and having you consolidate it so well on your videos makes planning training so much easier! Thank you 🙏

[GVS]

Very fair and balanced video. I hear CNS fatigue ALL the time, when it's likely largely something else most of the time, for most people. No doubt that it exists and is real, but there's not a whole lot of evidence for it either. Perhaps it's something that science will catch up with the bros on. Or perhaps not.

Often, I think systemic inflammation, peripheral issues and joint stress are more important factors, especially for some lifts.

Very impressed that you've both read those studies and can still recognize that it doesn't really matter because in the real world it does take far longer.

[wezedwards]

Another top tier video, stacked with golden information. This guy deserves at least 10x the subs he's currently got!

[owenschroeder]

I’m just a skinny little runner guy and this definitely helps for my running training also. Thank you! Great vid

[jdmalm]

I enjoy the way you explain how things "look" and not just what they mean. Very accessible and helpful, even for concepts with which I am already familiar.
I think CNS is the sum of all variables. The brain takes, muscle, tendon, ligament, hormone, nutrient, sleep, etc. data and spits out a yes/no verdict on a particular effort. That's my theory. No charge. 😉

[sanguis]

I’m a jujitsu blue belt and I maxed on squat and bench 2 weeks in a row and when I went to jujitsu class during those weeks I was sloppy, tired, and felt myself thinking of movements I used to do subconsciously. I took a week off and I completely bounced back. This helped me a lot

[mighty_mike_gaming]

One of the most balanced and informative lifting breakdowns I've seen in a long time! Thanks.

[SpererGameplaysH]

I came for the neuroscience, and even though you didn't go as deep on it as I was expecting for, everything you presented was still interesting to listen. Thank you for the video.

[scottb]

Really enjoy the no nonsense, no hype approach to your teaching. Thanks!

[Jmack]

Great Info man, I’m surprised you don’t have way more subscribers

[AndJusTIceForRob]

Unless you’re a Bulgarian weightlifter.

[luizconteudo]

why isnt this guy more famous wtf he has some amazing content, its very rare to see people that really understand what this guy talks about in this level and is able to explain it so well

[kainzabihi]

Thanks Bromley. Love your channel and feel it is the best source of info and there is nothing else like it. I feel like there is a disagreement on what causes CNS fatigue between you and some other sources of info like Mark Rippetoe. I’ve seen others comment the driving force of CNS fatigue being too much volume over time but it looks like you are saying it’s working at too high an intensity over time. Am I right to say y’all are at odds on this subject and which is right? Can high volume bring on CNS fatigue as well or is it intensity driven only?

[sambsialia]

Brom. I can’t heavy deadlift, even high rep 20 rep style more than once a week. But, I can add hardstyle amrap kb swings as many days as I want. Seems like strength endurance work is not as unfriendly to my cns. My current 20 rep squat is great for me because I can do it twice weekly. My thought is that grip stress is highly CNS affective. Oly lifts just don’t reach deadlift weights, so the grip is spared ultra high stress. Also, from my arm wrestling, I have learned that ligament and tendon stress takes about two weeks to recover from. Seems to me a deload is a hack for everything besides muscle. You once talked about a phase where you let the rest of you catch up to the muscles.