Periodization is an important part of bodybuilding because it involves varying your training routine. Periodization helps you to get the most out of your workouts by allowing your body to adjust to different types of stimulus, develop specific skills or allow your body to recover. It also helps to prevent plateaus in progress by providing variety, challenge and harder workouts. By periodizing your workouts, you can create manageable training phases that specialize in particular goals. For example, a periodized program may include hypertrophy phases (for building muscles) and strength phases (for developing power). Periodization also allows you to progressively challenge your body and make progress without overtraining or risking injury. This involves regularly increasing weight on particular exercises, as well as manipulating rest intervals, exercises selection, order, reps and sets. This allows for steady progress and reduced plateaus caused by the body becoming accustomed to a particular routine.