How long do you stick to programs?

[dmaipa]

We see a lot of training logs in here and I'm curious to how often do people switch up programs. I used to change mine up quite often because I got tired of it but I am finding out that consistency and progression is the best. I would switch it up every month but then finally realized that for me it just wasn't enough time to give a program. There are a lot of opinions out there to switch things often to keep you muscles "guessing" or to "shock" them or whatever. So i guess what I'm wondering is how long does everyone in here stick to their programs?

[BendtheBar]

I was never one to change much until the last few years. I guess I change 3-4 times a year, primarily to experiment. Though this year it's been more free-style training.

[IronManlet]

Over the past few months I've been tweaking my own program for a while and recently abandoned split training altogether; currently running Chaos and Pain.

I think consistency is important, so I'm going to stay on Chaos and Pain. Also, the program is highly adjustable, so if you feel the need for change it's not a big deal. Which is another reason I'm a big fan of it: no need for periodization because it's a constant adaption phase.

[ehubbard]

Pick something, believe in it, and stick with it for at least 6 months. I can't tell you how many people I see that switch programs constantly and make no progress. The key is consistency. If you are bored in the gym, take up chess. It's fine to tweak things here and there but to do 5/3/1 one week, DC the next, Madcow next month, etc. ad infinitum is a road to nowhere for most people.

[big valsalva]

I'm afraid I have to agree with ehubbard. Pick something and milk everything you can out of it. Lately I've been on the 5/3/1 and find that there is enough flexibility in the assistance portion of the program that I don't know if I'll ever get bored with it. I've always been that way no matter what template I was running. Change, for me, has never been to "spice up a stale routine," but rather as a better means to an end. You've got to give methods time (ex: give bilateral rowing at least three months). Exercises within the methodical construct maybe a little less time (not "feeling" pendlay rows? try t-bar rows instead.). Big picture: find something that looks like it will work, tweak it until it does, and run it until it dies.

[Bodybygamma]

Originally Posted by ehubbard

Pick something, believe in it, and stick with it for at least 6 months. I can't tell you how many people I see that switch programs constantly and make no progress. The key is consistency. If you are bored in the gym, take up chess. It's fine to tweak things here and there but to do 5/3/1 one week, DC the next, Madcow next month, etc. ad infinitum is a road to nowhere for most people.

Originally Posted by big valsalva

I'm afraid I have to agree with ehubbard. Pick something and milk everything you can out of it. Lately I've been on the 5/3/1 and find that there is enough flexibility in the assistance portion of the program that I don't know if I'll ever get bored with it. I've always been that way no matter what template I was running. Change, for me, has never been to "spice up a stale routine," but rather as a better means to an end. You've got to give methods time (ex: give bilateral rowing at least three months). Exercises within the methodical construct maybe a little less time (not "feeling" pendlay rows? try t-bar rows instead.). Big picture: find something that looks like it will work, tweak it until it does, and run it until it dies.

Nuff Said!

[gaspers04]

I concur with the two Gents above. Ive made my best gains in the last year or so with the "program" that I'm on, minus the rehab time on the shoulder. Consistency=Progression!

[Violent Volume]

If you training for muscle alone you can swap routines as long as you use most of the same big lifts. The old school crew evolved their training several times a year.

You don't want to be swapping **** out every month though.

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by Violent Volume

You don't want to be swapping **** out every month though.

Muscle confusion drives this bus. Most young lifters still believe you need to swap every 4-8 weeks. You really never need to swap, until LP is ground into the dirt. I stuck with the same routine for 20 years.

I don't have much of an issue with a beginner or intermediate who is riding linear progression to mix up the approaches several times a year as long as they stick with the same core lifts. They don't need to do this, but it can often help them learn about how their bodies handle certain training techniques and systems.

This thread is in the bodybuilding forum, and in that context, I think reasonable change is fine.

[dmaipa]

yea, im feeling you guys on this..i used to be that young lifter changing it up all the time..but now ive come to terms and become more focused