Changing routines: How often and how much.

[Balls of Steel]

How often does everyone switch their routine up. I am thinking about swithching mine that I have been on for 4 months or so.

Also, when you switch your routine, do you change your split, or just sets, exercises etc.?

 

[alistercromwell]

I change splits when I stop progressing.....

I usually have core exercises I stick to bu will substitue others every other workout or so as well as the order. However, I keep the compound movements always first.

 

[diamonddiceclay]

switch when you stop responding to 1 routine

 

[DaCypher]

Personally, I am constantly playing with my routine. No two weeks are identical. I might do an additional set of this, one less set of that, try out an exercise I haven't done in a while, etc. I change my split when I find my progress slowing...

 

[Travbedaman]

Manipulating your routines and diet in my humble opinon are the keys to constant muscle growth.

I think you should follow a routine until it no longer works for you (most people prolly between 4-6 weeks). I think it is a bad idea to change often, because it`s hard to tell if you are truly progressing (unless you are adding a pound or two of lean mass every single week.)

What I do is write out a program and just fill in the blanks when I get to the gym (the exercises how many sets, the tempo I will be follwing), I make sure that I do the exact same workout for a few weeks in a row (at least), this way you can tell if poundages go up...and we all know that equates into progress (muscle or strength depending on your goals). Of course your diet and rest must also be adequate.

Remember, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.