Dilemma of forced repetitions in extreme bodybuilding is old as this sport itself. Most bodybuilders are grown up with mentality “no pain no gain”. That is why majority of them can not or will not stop training even when muscles are so tired they can not do a single repetition more. That is why the so called “training partner” of “helper” function has been invented. Majority of top bodybuilders have a partner accompanying them and assisting them with that third repetition when muscles start to rebel. The purpose of doing this is clear. If I do one or two repetitions more, the pressure on my muscles will increase and so will increase the growth of the muscle. Right?
No it is not right!
Let us take a deeper look into this subject. What does that extra forced repetition mean? It simply means you have done it but with less effort and less power than previous repetitions that you have done without training partners' helping hand. Muscles were subject to lower tension. You did not accomplish that weight with the same strength you would have when weightlifting alone. In other words you have completed the repetition with “less” weight than planned.
Now try to compare this doing with the commonly known and bullet proved rule in bodybuilding which says that muscles are growing only if they are under maximal pressure. The answer is clear. Two or even more forced repetitions have just caused muscle tiredness without any positive effect at all. A tired muscle can not be brought to its maximal charge as it simply can not lift that weight anymore.
One has to realize that those kind of forced repetitions lead to early damages, as muscle in that moment looses its natural coordination. Training partner is an extremely important person for a professional bodybuilder. But his role is not to lift weights instead of you. His role is to encourage, motivate you to complete quality trainings and achieve better results. Training partner is there to help you lift more than you would dare if training alone. It is wrong to use a training partner to help you damage your muscles. You will never be able to wrap up that training with 100% effectiveness.