Originally Posted by
wolfchild
Strength training programs such as 5x5 and others are not meant to be done to failure...believe it or not but you can make great progress without training to failure. Personally I refer to do high rep workouts but i never go to failure. Not training to failure allows my body to recover faster and still make progress.
Yep. Most programs, especially beginner programs, instruct you to quit the set when you can't do another rep with good form. This does not present an unacceptable risk of injury, as you are always using good form. (When just starting out they may want you stopping the set even earlier. But they certainly not looking to have you fail on any reps).
Obviously, one has to listen to one's body and give yourself adequate recovery time (including enough sleep and food). But that is true of any exercise you are doing.