# When are Pivot Weeks Necessary?
**URL:** https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/when-are-pivot-weeks-necessary/4494
**Category:** Training Q&A \[Moderated\]
**Created:** [December 31, 2018, 5:19pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/when-are-pivot-weeks-necessary/4494 "2018-12-31T17:19:06Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Nmattero](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Nmattero)
#### Post date: [December 31, 2018, 5:19pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/when-are-pivot-weeks-necessary/4494/1 "2018-12-31T17:19:06Z")
When are pivot weeks necessary? I’m finishing up the 7 week Hypertrophy template with an extension to 10 weeks. Still seeing my E1RM go up each week on all lifts. Doing the 12 week strength next. Any reason to do a pivot in between? When would be ideal time for pivot weeks?
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### Author:  [@LeahBBM](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/LeahBBM)
#### Post date: [January 1, 2019, 5:00pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/when-are-pivot-weeks-necessary/4494/2 "2019-01-01T17:00:45Z")
Based on this, I don’t think you need a pivot week, no. I’d keep training as is, and since the 12 week program starts with a low stress week, you will have a chance to let some fatigue dissipate, if needed, the programming will be changing slightly so you’ll have some novelty there, and you should be just fine.
I don’t think we can pin down an “ideal time” for a pivot, but they can be used effectively when you see that clear downturn in your performance-over time. So if you e1RM takes a dive of like 10% and it’s not just one bad day, but the dip clearly continues, you’d pivot.