Weight Training Splits Are Great For Bodybuilders But Others Might Consider Full Body Routines

For years I lifted weights religiously (and still do to this day) and like many others I just assumed that training splits was the way to go

. I even stuck to the same popular weight training split that many others follow. It was a 4day-a-week split that looked like this

Day 1 - Chest/triceps

Day 2 Legs (Quads and Hamstrings)

Day 3 Shoulders/Calves

Day 4 Back/Biceps

With this split I got bigger, stronger, leaner, better looking, and more confidence and reaped all the wonderful benefits that come along with starting any weight training routine. This split is great because, interspersed with valuable rest days 3 times a week, it gives the muscles ample time to rest, recover and grow. If a newcomer was to follow this same split he would reap the exact same rewards and think I was just the greatest personal trainer around for putting him on such an effective and time tested routine.

However, it is not the most effective split and in my opinion no split routine is the most effective for the vast majority of athletes. If you are a bodybuilder than the training split routine is absolutely the way to go. You can focus on each and every muscle group and isolate any weak points to build the most aesthetically pleasing physique possible. You will sure as heck get stronger and I repeat, if you are an aspiring bodybuilder please stick to the split routine as it is best for your particular sport. However, aside from professional or amateur bodybuilders I dont find the training split to be as effective as full body weight training.

I believe that soccer players, MMA fighters, basketball players, boxers, baseball players, football players, and even your typical weekend warriors (pleased to meet you) would benefit much more from a full body workout then they would from a training split. Many of the same exercises will be done in both a full body training routine and a traditional training split (squats, bench press, and deadlifts) but there should be less attention focused on developing each specific muscle and more on full body strength and functionality.

Functional strength is really the key to full body workouts. A training split wherein you perform more isolated and specific lifts (like tricep pulldowns) will certainly build strength but I think that time would be better spent utilizing more functional lifts that incorporate real world movements. A tricep pull down or similar movement could be used in a full body routine but it should be combined with other movements. For example a bodyweight squat while holding onto the pulldown bar and then when coming out of the squat position you could perform the tricep pulldown as more of a full body lift that would involve triceps, hips, quads, etc. Rarely does an athlete use just 1 muscle group in any movement. Swinging a bat or club, jumping up to block a shot, throwing a punch and countless other movements all involve legs, hips, core, arms and just about every muscle known to man and because of this Ive always found it best to train similar to how one plans on performing. If you plan on performing full body movements (which any athlete I can think of would) you should train with full body movements.

There are similarities in that both routines should incorporate proper rest. You should not perform full body weight training more frequently than 3 times a week as the body needs ample time to recover and grow stronger. I am also of the mind that your workouts should constantly be changing so as to always keep the body guessing and never let the muscles get too familiar with any one routine. So with that said I think that once in a while it might behoove you to take a week here or there on the calendar and incorporate a traditional training split just to shock the system so to speak.

As always I look forward to hearing peoples opinions, thoughts or concerns on any and all things related to fitness so please comment.

Train Smart,

Chad H.

by: Chad H.

POST COMMENT

Another Innovation By Micromax: Micromax X290 Best Android Cell Phones For Those On A Budget Reasons Why You Should Buy Unlocked Cell Phones Top 5 Rakhi Gifts To Send To Your Brother In India In 2012 Size Up Your Own Playing Practice By High-quality Headphones Electric Dog Fence Is Another Form Of Dog Fence Best 5 Rakhi Gifts For Brother In 2012 How To Choose A Dress For The Mother Of The Groom Dr Dre Headphones - The Must Get Headphones Other Olympic-related Events Around The Uk Services Of Professional Physiotherapists In Glasgow, Scotland Other Types Of Bankruptcy That Bankruptcy Lawyers Long Beach Can Help You With Rakshabandhan The Unique Celebration Of Brotherhood