# Template modification?

**URL:** <https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/template-modification/1946>\
**Category:** Training Q&A \[Moderated\]\
**Created:** [May 10, 2018, 6:22pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/template-modification/1946 "2018-05-10T18:22:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![JakeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@JakeF](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/JakeF)\
**Post date:** [May 10, 2018, 6:22pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/template-modification/1946/1 "2018-05-10T18:22:59Z")

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Hi,

I have a few questions regarding the hypertrophy template and possible modifications thereof.

The first question is, is it a bad idea for someone already training 4 days a week (let’s say 12 week strength) to switch to a 3 days per week program (all other things being equal), presumably reducing training volume?

And if so, would it be possible to modify the hypertrophy template to be run at 4 days a week (so that Week 2 Day 1 would end up falling on Week 1 Day 4, and so on and so forth, basically shortening the template by a week)? Or similarly, if someone just preferred to train 4 days a week would this be advisable? Would appreciate any input.

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2018, 5:19pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/template-modification/1946/2 "2018-05-13T17:19:28Z")

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Hey Jake,

A decrease in frequency isn’t necessarily a bad move for short periods of time and the actual volume may or may not be decreasing, you know?

I wouldn’t end up spreading out the hypertrophy template to 4x/wk in this situation, as it wouldn’t address the potential decrease in training stress, if present.

Basically, I don’t know what you’re doing right now and it’s unlikely that you’re training stress is \> the hypertrophy template right now, but if it is and you need more stress then I would modify the template.

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**Author:** ![JakeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@JakeF](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/JakeF)\
**Post date:** [May 14, 2018, 1:55am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/template-modification/1946/3 "2018-05-14T01:55:47Z")

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Hey Jordan,

Thanks for the response, much appreciated.

You say increasing the frequency to 4x/wk wouldn’t address the potential decrease in training stress. Could you elaborate on that possibly? I’m not sure I understand.