Thread: full body workouts?

Originally Posted by MeatZatk

I read an article in Mens Health recently that said 3 full body workouts a week were more effective than splits. Anyone here buying this? It seems to make a little sense.

On paper, it would seem to make sense. Training protocols like HST and certain versions of HIT support this claim. For hormonal and metabolic reasons it does look good.

I have seen lots of good results myself performing more frequent bouts of training, and the results prove themselves in powerlifters and athletes alike who experience exceptional gains hypertrophy-wise without the primary motivator being mass gains.

I'm not suggesting that split routines don't get the job done. They certainly do. Either one is effective, and I think you can make exceptional gains with either method. I would do whichever one you think is more enjoyable, but I would also vary the frequency of training just like any other variable throughout your training career.

In my opinion I would say it depends on the individual. Some people need a lot more rest/ recovery between training sessions than others. It also has to do with your goals. Also, lifestyle. Do you have a physical job or do you work at a desk all day? Do you play sports or is working out your key activity?

The pros and cons of full body and splits.
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=933431

i like total body workouts. that is how i train most of the time.

Although there a pros and cons for both, I split up my training because this is how I most enjoy it.

I personally don't like em. I never feel I can hit one group of muscles hard enough if I spread out the time and exercises to cover from neck to calves.