A: Not at all. As we say in The Ultimate Mass Workout e-book, some exercises have a leverage shift that makes X Reps difficult or nearly impossible below the middle of the stroke. Lying extensions, barbell squats and barbell curls are in that group.

On lying extensions the arc of the rep and gravity create odd leverage at the X spot—between the bottom and middle of the stroke. We tried using partner assistance, like forced-rep partials, but that was awkward, so we found another solution. We do our lying extensions to failure, then, using the same weight, we launch into a set of close-grip bench presses. When we can’t get another rep on those, we do X Reps right below the midpoint of the press. You can use that superset whether you’re doing extensions with an EZ-curl bar or two dumbbells. You’ll feel your triceps firing like never before. We’ve both noticed new growth in our triceps’ long head thanks to that combo.