I think I have strengthened my penis rather than growing it.
Which reminds me of the second rule (in my book); use the least force that will produce gains.
So, (IMO) 1) do as much PE as you can while still keeping fair to great EQ.
2) use the least force that will produce gains.
The reason you want to use the least force possible for gains, is that tissue will try and adapt to stress, and usually this will include toughening. You want to use enough force to create gains with the LEAST toughening possible. Toughening will eventually brings gains to a halt, requiring a prolonged lay off to allow any possible gains to continue.
Kimc, you are right that it can be very confusing for beginners, but as TGD says, you really have to take the time to find out what you respond best to. Some guys can do hours and hours of PE with good results, but may guys will drop their EQ into the toilet with even modest amounts of PE.
This is why I wrote the PIs and EQ threads, so you can learn to read your own responses and adjust your routine to your needs.
The latest thing that I discovered (for myself at least) is that you can have a great routine where you are getting great EQ, and its working fine, and all of a sudden your EQ drops. This can be due to EITHER it becoming too little or accumulating stress and it becoming too much.
If you take a day off and EQ drops further, it was that it had become too little stress and you need to increase it.
IF you take a day off and EQ pops right back up, it was accumulating tissue stress and you either need to cut back a bit or take an programmed in off day.
Conversely, if EQ is dropping and you INCREASE your PE, and EQ pops up, your penis had adjusted to the stress and it no longer was enough to stimulate the smooth muscle to react and compensate.
So, dropping EQ may be due to either too much or too little. If you don’t realize that, it will lead to real confusion.