Program timing

srhall2192 · #1 05-12-2011, 06:14 PM

I've been looking through the posts and couldn't get an exact answer to this question but,
How long should a person stay on one program? I've seen 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 wk, 15wks, and until you stop gaining.
Also, after you switch programs, how long before you can go back to a previous program?

WorkoutMchne · #2 05-12-2011, 07:48 PM

If you're asking this question you should just lift for at least 5 years and figure it out for yourself. Go to the gym and squat, deadlift, bench, and military press for a number of years and you will figure out a better answer to this question than anyone can give you. This answer pretty much goes for almost every question asked.

Gregsimo · #3 05-12-2011, 07:53 PM

Personally i stay on a program as long as im gaining and that im motivated to do that program. If you arent gaining on a particular program but are giving it 100% then a change might be in order. Just because you stall on something doesnt necessarily mean changing the whole program. You can just change an exercise, bench angle, rep range, reset on the lift by 10%.
This i believe to hold true, especially for non linear splits which vary between power, hypertrophy and strength workouts each week and as such your body is being hit with differing stimuli each week and this should result in more longer term sustainable gains without changing the program. I've been doing my non linear split for 4 months and im still gaining at a fast rate, i havent even had a deload week as the program is designed to allow for adequate recovery.

If you are doing a linear program ie hypertrohy specific routines or lifting heavy week in week out then sometimes a change in the program can be beneficial. By a change its the same as the above it could be a different exercise or varying in rep range. Typically most linear programs last 4-12 weeks, any longer than that and your body will have just simply have adapted to the stimulus/rep range/exercise selection/intensity and you'll have diminishing gains. You can go back to a previous program at any time, you could potentially do a few weeks of a new program, get bored or not experience the gains you expected to and go back to the old program. Your body has been doing something different for a couple of weeks so changing back will result in more significant gains again.

In all though there is no RIGHT or WRONG answer to your question, its still something being researched as no program is ever 'THE ONE' as if it existed then everyone would do it. But there are programs designed with goals in mind ie strength, strength + size and just plain old get big routines.
I think someone once said 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it' This holds true in answering your question more accurately. dont change something that is still working.

klosey · #4 05-13-2011, 07:23 AM

i dont strictly believe in plateus.. i do think you can get stuck but its more down to complacency then burnout... simple things like rotating exercise order can help.. but if adding on 1kg per 1-2 weeks on heavy movements you shouldnt really plateu

Commander · #5 05-13-2011, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WorkoutMchne

If you're asking this question you should just lift for at least 5 years and figure it out for yourself. Go to the gym and squat, deadlift, bench, and military press for a number of years and you will figure out a better answer to this question than anyone can give you. This answer pretty much goes for almost every question asked.

Is this before or after P90x and Insanity?

WorkoutMchne · #6 05-13-2011, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Commander

Is this before or after P90x and Insanity?

Before P90X, but after Billy Blanks.

bigbear6708 · #7 05-14-2011, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WorkoutMchne

Before P90X, but after Billy Blanks.

so I should stop doing Tae - Bo and do P90X first...what is the answer, man!!?!

but really, srhall...just pick a program and do it...people stress over little things way too much, just lift weights and get strong

klosey · #8 05-14-2011, 09:33 AM

personally i would stop tae bo while on the P90x.. follow the P90x exactly to the letter

superbilt · #9 05-18-2011, 04:46 PM

I think Tae Bo is more for beginners that like to do Karate Kicks. P90x is more advanced and hardcore lol.

Really pick a good program follow it the way it is supposed to be done and attack it. Once you stop making progress or are unmotivated and bored then make changes. A good program/template will last a long time.