EQ and Fatigue

So, I understand that EQ is probably the single most important PI and that declining EQ is a very good indicator of overtraining. And, with any exercise other than hanging, I always use EQ as guide. I also understand that hanging is supposed to produce fatigue. The problem I have is that the time and weight I need to hang to fatigue always kills my EQ. I can’t seem to hang to the point of fatigue (or even close to it) without killing my EQ.

I tried hanging for nearly 6 months last year using EQ as my guide and never achieving fatigue and only gained about 1/8” during that time. So, this time I’ve tried starting with low time and weight and building up gradually to only start getting fatigue after months of hanging. I’m now hanging about 7.5 lbs for 10 hours per week (5 days on, 2 days off; 6 20 minute sessions with 10 minute breaks between each and extensive heating). I’m getting good fatigue and my BPSFL has increased by almost 1/4”, but my EQ is such crap that I can’t even get a good EL measurement (my EQ is back to 90%+ after the 2 days off, but I haven’t taken more than that off).

I’d love to hear people’s thoughts on this. Should I trust my EQ and conclude that I’m overworking or should I trust fatigue and BPFSL and assume that I’m now on the right track?

I’m not that much experienced with hanging, only done it for a couple of months combined, but to the point.

The routine I use now consist of a quite heavy stretching part and my EQ might get a little poorer the last couple of days on my 5 day on 2 day off schedule but shoots up on the 2 days of rest, the author of the routine I’m using says it is to be expected as it is quite hard on the unit and the two days off was most needed but he still gained and so it seems that I’m doing as well, and my BPFL has like yours increased.

Seems it is working for me thus far but as said I don’t hang. I do get morning wood most of the days though.
If I had the patience I would try hanging with my bib again, 10 hours of hanging man, damn impressive.

Trust your BPFSL

I don’t subscribe to the “EQ is the most important guide” thing.

For someone who who gains lots from just jelqing, then sure it probably works. But for most guys, who stop gaining after they get their newbie gains (almost always due to EQ increase), you do need to experience fatigue, meaning decreased EQ sometimes.

So do hanging and intense length exercises to stretch things out, decreasing your EQ, then jelq, clamp, and lightly pump to fill up the missing space and make up for the EQ loss.

My thought would be if you’re chasing fatigue you can probably push EQ down the level of importance at least for short periods.

I’m wondering the same thing right now with regard to clamping, it’s the first exercise if tried that’s given me real fatigue which I feel is positive but so far my EQ is great.

If fatigue = gains then I’ll take temporary EQ drops.

Thanks guys — I’ll keep doing what I’m doing then.

Scienceguy, that’s exactly what I am thinking.