Whole body vs Split training

Frankieboy

Just wondering if some people here could give me their opinions on whole body versus split training.
I have been doing whole body for the past few months and found it quite good but would like to change things a bit now. Also I'm not that tired or wiped out after a weights session, so I'm thinking focusing on a specific area will mean I will work it better?
So will split training mean slower gains because there is a bigger gap between the times a muscle group is worked?
Any know of a good split training program?
Also what is enough of a warm up for a weights session, currently doing 20mins on bike but would like to cut down the time.

Thanks for the help guys.

#Smokey#

5 minutes stretching, about 2 warm up sets for your first exercise and about 5 minutes bike should be a good warmup.
Perosnally i would do split training and work the body part as hard as i can as i could work out 5 days a week on different parts while letting them recover and a whole body workout requires a lot of time to get done properly

Ouijaboard

Good split templates here:
http://www.exrx.net/Lists/WorkoutMenu.html
Plenty of splits available just depends on how much free time you have and you'll have to find one that suits you.

I find something like
day1 Chest/shoulder/triceps
day2 Back/Biceps/forearms
day3 Legs/

then take 1 or even 2 days off depending on how zapped you feel and start again at day1.....this works fine for me.

tbh if you're not tired after full body workouts then it sounds like you are not putting enough effort or intensity into those sessions...but who am i to judge maybe you just need a change of format at this stage and splits are great for that.

Dont let them get too unwieldy though, yes you will be doing more exercises per bodypart usually more isolation work is incorporated into split training, just make sure that you still concentrate on keeping solid compounds in the split and keeping the split neat.

Split training will not necessarily mean fewer gains just keep it basic and not too many isolation exercises at the expense of compounds etc.

edges

Are you training to get tired or training to get strong? There is a difference.

I favour full body workouts, I have done body part splits and found them usefull for gaining mass and weight, but my other training and work it does leave me drained and grouchy.

I can perform a solid strength based full body workout in under an hour, I get better strength results than with the split routines but without the size gains. Plus two Full body strength focus (low rep, multi set) mixed with one full body smoker (usually a full on circuit using bodyweight or kettlebells) that takes around 20 mins leaves me with enough energy for work, play and the missus.

It's all down to finding out what you want or need from your training.

I get funny looks when I train because I'm in a commercial town center gym and don't do the usual monday: chest, tues: shoulders type stuff, but the day that bothers me is the day I retire.

There's a ton of info out there on the net, have a look through the fitness links sticky, there are arguments for and against every type of training.

Best of luck

Dave
www.WG-Fit.com

Hanley

What are you training for?

thirdmantackle

I favour full body workouts, I have done body part splits and found them usefull for gaining mass and weight, but my other training and work it does leave me drained and grouchy.

I can perform a solid strength based full body workout in under an hour, I get better strength results than with the split routines but without the size gains. Plus two Full body strength focus (low rep, multi set) mixed with one full body smoker (usually a full on circuit using bodyweight or kettlebells) that takes around 20 mins leaves me with enough energy for work, play and the missus.

It's all down to finding out what you want or need from your training.

similar to myself. find it hard with my team's training and games to do the split training. so when i do get to the gym I try a full body workout between, focusing on the major muscle groups - chest, back, legs. If i have time i work in the shoulders, arms etc