Have I been lifting the right way for the past 4 years?

[1stresiden]

Ok I started lifting 4 years ago.
Current weights lifted(The MOST I can do)= bench= 225x7 reps
squat=205x8 reps
BB curl= 115x 7 reps
weighted dips with 65 pounds x 8 reps
behind neck military press 145x 7 reps
Deadlift= 295 X 8 reps
(I count the bar when I count the weight I lift)
The way I work out is that I lift the exact same weight each set and go to failure on each set IE: Bench press is 225 X 7, 5, 4. The 7th rep is the most I can do. The 5th is the most etc..
(By failure I mean If I know I won't get the next rep I don't dare even attempt it).
Should I be doing something differently? I see other people's routines where it says for instance 4 X 8 of an exercise. Should I just pick a weight that I can get 8 reps each set thereby stopping alot short on the first set?(That is the only way you can get 8 reps each time is by stopping short otherwise you'll decrease in reps like me) Or is it ok to be doing what Im doing now? Or maybe should I decrease my weight each set to achieve the same number of reps? The thing is that Im afraid that my last 2 sets on each of my exercises (where I have few reps sometimes 3 because I lift heavy on my first set) will not recruit all my muscle fibers.
Please fellas/bettys, tell me how you all work out.(Or please tell me).
By the way I don't do the same thing every year. I vary to start out at 12 reps instead of 7 or maybe Ill start at 5 etc.. but the plan is the same IE. same weight each set, lift the most/heaviest on the first set.

[Lady C]

Your body needs variation because it adapts so well and fast. I suggest a rotation of reps and weights

EX:
Week 1 all sets are 12-14 reps
Weeek 2 all sets are 8-10 reps
Week 3 all sets are 4-6 reps

This means the weights you lift on week 1 will be lighter than the weights you lift on week 3. Track it and if your weight amount don't start to increase then you are stagnant and something else will have to change.

[1stresiden]

Thanks for the response.
I try to vary my weights pretty often, but should I be using the same weight each set (EX: your suggested sets of 12-14, 8-10, etc..). If I do Bench Press of 215 for 10 reps(That's the most weight I could do for 10 reps) then on the next set I couldn't reach 8, but probably just 7 and then next set probably 6. So should I be using weight that only allows me 10 reps or 8 reps EVERY set thereby stopping short on the first?

[Lady C]

It is up to you.

I would use the same weight as for 10 reps and the goal would be to do 3 sets of 14. Starting out it will not be 3 of 10 but eventually you should get there.

[westside24]

Originally Posted by 1stresiden

, but should I be using the same weight each set?

Its fine to do it like this... alot of people do, because alot of people dont put much thought into there workouts... but its not wrong, theres no wrong way to train

You could do 1 set of 50 reps with a lighter weight, you could 5 sets 4 reps each with a heavier weight than you would use for your sets of 8... the possibilities are never ending

This is what I do, for deadlifts for example
set1 - 135lbs x12 reps <- this is just a warmup set
set2 - 185lbs x8 reps <-- I could surpass 8 no problem but I wanna save
set3 - 225lbs x8 reps my energy
set4 - 235lbs x5 reps <-- This was til failure
set5 - 245lbs x3 reps <-- This was til failure and broke my previous record of 240lbs... next time it will prolly look the same, but i might be able to do 250 for last set, but maybe only 2 reps or even 1...

I think this is called pyramiding... and this way you are definately building strength along with hypertrophy... I dont suggest doing 5 sets for every exercise you do, I just do 5 sets for deadlifts, because I love them, and I have skinny legs! you could do it vice versa too

Incline Dumbell Press
Set1 - 60's for 3 reps
Set2 - 50's for 6 reps
Set3 - 35's for 8 reps
Flat Dumbell Press
Set4 - 35's for 12 reps
Set5 - 50's for 6 reps

Get it?....