I agree with this though it's only relevant beyond newbie periods. PTs won't talk about it since it's not motivating, which makes sense.
During a stressed part of life, I slid into staying with the same routine, doing 70% intensity (cutting a set or two off each workout, or rushing them), and stopped going up in strength and muscle size. You could say I have bad genetics but I've had some sport talent and been considered "fit" by a few people so I think I'm average/lucky on muscle genetics.
I basically maintained the muscle but I threw away that time. I kept going into the gym 4-5 days a week like I had when putting on gains, but I could have maintained the muscle (as I have since) on 2-3 days a week.
All the difference was in that 70% --> 85% intensity difference. Once I did that, without changing programme, gains came back. I think that this "hidden plateau" is secretly why so many people bail on the gym.
During a stressed part of life, I slid into staying with the same routine, doing 70% intensity (cutting a set or two off each workout, or rushing them), and stopped going up in strength and muscle size. You could say I have bad genetics but I've had some sport talent and been considered "fit" by a few people so I think I'm average/lucky on muscle genetics.
I basically maintained the muscle but I threw away that time. I kept going into the gym 4-5 days a week like I had when putting on gains, but I could have maintained the muscle (as I have since) on 2-3 days a week.
All the difference was in that 70% --> 85% intensity difference. Once I did that, without changing programme, gains came back. I think that this "hidden plateau" is secretly why so many people bail on the gym.