At what point do you change a routine based on no growth?

I hear about sticking with a routine until the gains stop coming. But since it is such a slow rate of growth(usually), then how long do you go before you conclude you aren’t gaining? Is it a month, two months, longer?

After about three months it is normal for some gain to have happened, but it depends on your particular make up. But if nothing has happened then try a different routine, or try modifying the routine you are using .

It is worth reading about other’s difficulties and if (and how)they have resolved them. And then try expeimenting. But do it with care.

Good question.

Any thoughts? Some say that 1/2” in 5 months is good results which means only 1/10th of an inch per month which is barely noticeable. When do you conclude that you aren’t growing?

I’d say 4 months with absolutely no indication of growth would be a good time to start evaluating your routine. At that point, learn more about the physiology of growing and try different things that have proven effective for others like you (referring to LOT, size, goals, available time, etc).

I think if you got good results from at routine, then it quit working, you have a winner there and don’t be too quick to discard it. Rather than completely change, it is sensible to take a few weeks off (depending on the forces used, the higher the forces the longer the decon needs to be) then return to the workout.

Based on how you respond (EQ) you can then slightly decrease it or increase it and you have a good chance of seeing gains start up again, but probably at a slower rate.

The other factor to look for in seeing if its an effective routine is your EQ (see my linked thread at the bottom of this post). Most guys that get gains also get much improved EQ. If you aren’t seeing gains, AND your EQ hasn’t improved, chances are you are not anywhere near the growth zone and need to make some slow modest changes until it becomes apparent that you are either doing too much or too little.