I seem to do better on programs with planned weekly intensity escalations followed by mandatory deloads.
Periodization Training
Planned weekly progressive increases in loading is part of a well written Periodization Training Program.
Deloads
A Periodization Training Cycle involves a few week of progressively increasing the load/intensity.
It is then follow by a New Periodization Training Cycle in which new exercises are employed or by recycling the exerices being used in the previous program with light load, then progressively increased.
experiment with something for, say 6 weeks,
6 Weelk Program
This a Periodiozation Training Cycle.
"Training Age"
To reiterate once more, the amount of time an individual has been lifting is know as their "Training Age".
Novice Lifter adapt slowly. They can make progress on with a program for 8-12 weeks before the need to change it.
Adanced Lifter adapt quickly. They need to change their program about every 3-4 weeks.
To me, this is a huge advantage of barbell training, as you can easily microload if you need to.
Not A Microload Fan
"Pavel Tsatsouline on tiny incremental weights... and why you should force yourself to make a jump, instead."
The Benefit of Jumps Between Kettlebell Sizes
As per Pavel in regard to Kettlebell Load, research show there need to be "Sharp increasing in loading; sudden change in load are much more effective for your body than very, very incremental changes".
The same applies for...
Barbell Load Training
In a Periodization Training Program with progressive increases in loads each week, there need to be jumps in loading primarily for Advance Lifer on a 3-4 Week Cycle.
This ensure that "Active Recovery" is a achieved during the first week or two of the Training Cycle. Recovery is where strength increases.
The final week in the Periodization Training Cycle needs to be performed with a load that become a New Personal Best in the Exercise in Repetition, Load or Both.
Squat Example
In my Three Week Periodization Training Cycle, my Squat Load jumps are approximately 30-40 lbs each week.
Thus, in a New Three Week Periodization Cycle is 80-90 lbs heavier than the initial First Week.
My objective in the Last Week in a Three Week Training Cycle it to increase my Squat poundage at least 10 lbs more than my Previous Best.
This approach can be effective for Advanced Lifters.
Novice Lifters
With a Novice Lifter a more Moderate Loading Approach needs to be followed.
The in part due part to the longer Periodization Training Cycle Length and the Learning Curve for them.
With that said. and as Pavel noted, in the video above, the increase Barbell Loading for Men should not be less that 5 kg/11 lbs
To paraphrase Pavel in his video presentation, "Microloading with Tiny, Baby Disk Washers" are not enough to provide "The Sharp Contract" need to evoke the desired Training Effect.