# BB template: when to move on to the next phase
**URL:** https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/bb-template-when-to-move-on-to-the-next-phase/11362
**Category:** Training Q&A \[Moderated\]
**Created:** [September 13, 2021, 6:56pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/bb-template-when-to-move-on-to-the-next-phase/11362 "2021-09-13T18:56:33Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@beefcake99](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/beefcake99)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2021, 6:56pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/bb-template-when-to-move-on-to-the-next-phase/11362/1 "2021-09-13T18:56:33Z")
Hi, I’m running the BB template for the second time - last time was 12 months ago.
I’m currently on week 7 of phase 1 and everything is going well: all the exercises are progressing, I’m motivated, and am not experiencing too much fatigue.
As an experiment, I’d like to stretch this phase out as long as I can because in the past I think I’ve been too quick to switch programs after experiencing just one week of lowered performance on the main exercises. This time around, I’d like to try waiting until I experience a continual 3-week dip in performance before moving on. Does that sound reasonable? Or is it possible that phase 1 may be too low volume for me and I should move to phase 2 now?
I am also wondering whether this is an appropriate metric to use for the BB template since it’s primarily focused on hypertrophy. I have been taking body measurements and haven’t noticed growth yet other than my waist going up an inch, and I’ve been gaining 2 lb/month.
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### Author:  [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)
#### Post date: [September 13, 2021, 8:11pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/bb-template-when-to-move-on-to-the-next-phase/11362/2 "2021-09-13T20:11:36Z")
> [@beefcake99](#):
>
> As an experiment, I’d like to stretch this phase out as long as I can because in the past I think I’ve been too quick to switch programs after experiencing just one week of lowered performance on the main exercises. This time around, I’d like to try waiting until I experience a continual 3-week dip in performance before moving on. Does that sound reasonable?
’
That sounds totally fine to me.
> [@beefcake99](#):
>
> I am also wondering whether this is an appropriate metric to use for the BB template since it’s primarily focused on hypertrophy. I have been taking body measurements and haven’t noticed growth yet other than my waist going up an inch, and I’ve been gaining 2 lb/month.
If your measurements on arms, thighs, and other non-waist components haven’t gone up in 8-weeks, I’d plan on switching programming to drive some size gains. Likely with different exercises and more volume.
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### Author:  [@beefcake99](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/beefcake99)
#### Post date: [February 23, 2022, 5:18pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/bb-template-when-to-move-on-to-the-next-phase/11362/3 "2022-02-23T17:18:49Z")
Just wanted to follow up on this in case others are curious. I ended up growing quite a bit, about 1.5 inches on my arms, 2-3 inches on my chest/shoulders, and same for legs. Success! I experienced a pretty linear growth pattern starting at the end of phase 1 all the way to the end of phase 3.