I finally started getting stronger in the gym when I stopped going to failure on everything. I got in the best endurance shape by going on a steady comfortable pace for progressively longer periods of time.
Harder is not always better.
Harder is not always better.
There's more to it like how to pick the weight, etc... but the perfect rep piece I really enjoyed.
Also late to the party, but creatine is the body and more importantly the brains friend too.