Q:  How often should I be changing my workout program?

 

A:  Short but sweet. We like it! Listen, there are so many factors to constructing workouts and sticking with them, and then knowing when to say die, that it's a pretty broad-based topic and question. However, I think it's something most people don't ask because they think they should know it and feel stupid if they actually inquire. However, it's something that you need to know so that you can continue to grow and change on a regular basis. Avoiding stagnation is crucial, and knowing when to leave one type of workout and visit another, is a talent. It's why one guy is more successful than another if both have genetics that are equally talented. Obviously, a lot of this is feel, and not something that can be taught, but there are some criteria that you can put on a checklist in order to choose your time accordingly:  First, you need to ask yourself after a few weeks' time, whether the workout you are currently doing is serving you well?  Is it something that you're getting pumped from? Are you feeling yourself make changes? Does the mirror agree with that assessment? Once you know you have a decent workout, and want to know when you've gotten the maximum out of it, you should watch for signs that it is tapering off in benefit. Are you failing to get pumps anymore, even when you increase weight or change up set/rep or other schemes, such as pyramid, drop set, giant set? Is your workout leaving you enough time to recuperate? Are you going into workout too sore? Too recuperated? It's okay to use a workout schedule that taxes you and really minimizes recuperation - for a SHORT time! However, you need to know when it's time to move on after you've captured the best of that. After a workout schedule like that, try to choose something that leaves you with maximum in recuperation time. There are no wrong answers or wrong workouts, but the possibility of sticking with something long past its usefulness is a real danger.  When changing workouts, try to change a few things at a time, so that you know what is working and what isn't. If you drastically change things, or you change 5 things instead of one or two, you'll never know what is best for you and what stimulates growth better.