changing up routines

[R.P. McMurphy]

I've been lifting for strength for some time now and I've run my current workout (allbeit my favorite) into the ground. I've experimented for a few years now and am convinced my best split to be a push/pull/legs. I've stuck with mostly compound movements and heavy weights routine

The problem I'm facing is that everytime I've tried to switch up my routines, and then eventually switch back, I find that I've lost strength. You'll probably need more info but does anyone have any advice?

[coffee-guy]

More info bro...

[Stonecold54]

well if you write more info than that is fine...but if you switch routines and lose strength on certain exercises than that is not a big deal. most strength gained on exercises has nothing to do with increase in muscle size. it is learning how to lift more effeciently, increased neuromusculare connection and just practice. the point of lifting weights (for most of us) is to increase muscle size and that begets learning how to lift effectivley for that. I could care less if I increase a certain exercise a certain amount as long as I know that the sets I am doing are geared towards gaining muscle. so if you do a certain routine for 6 weeks then change for 6 weeks then go back to the original you won't be starting at where you left off. you might not fall all the way back but there will be drop off in the practiced lifts.

[R.P. McMurphy]

That's something along the lines of what I was looking for, stone cold. Basically ways to shock my body and CNS out of this plateau. If I mix it up, then come back eventually to my original routine, I might have fallen back but I should be able to recover quickly and then go beyond, right? I'm talking in terms of strength here but yes, I like muscle mass too.