Why not just train only arms/chest? Someone help clarify please :)

We

Friend of mine that comes gym with me insists that he has 'his own' workout and revolves around completing a set of every DB-arm workout there is and a bit of benching..

I'm trying to get him to do Starting Strength with me, but because I lack a real understanding of workout effectiveness, I cant justify to him why it would be better..

There are a few reasons I can think of, eg. if he were to actually be able to keep up this silly workout in the long run, he would end up looking disproportionate.. It probably isnt near as efficient in terms of seeing results to train arms(and only arms) specifically x3 each week compared to a thought-out routine like SS.. Like I said, the problem is I cant really back these things up as I dont really know myself why they are true, if they are at all!

Anyway, I'd love if someone could just make a simple post explaining the problems with his method so I can show him and hopefully sway his opinion

Thanks

squod

He'll end up with a weakness compared to the muscles he doesn't train. Which can lead to injury. There's also no chance of him being hooge, not ever.

Parsley

We wrote: »

Friend of mine that comes gym with me insists that he has 'his own' workout and revolves around completing a set of every DB-arm workout there is and a bit of benching..

I'm trying to get him to do Starting Strength with me, but because I lack a real understanding of workout effectiveness, I cant justify to him why it would be better..

There are a few reasons I can think of, eg. if he were to actually be able to keep up this silly workout in the long run, he would end up looking disproportionate.. It probably isnt near as efficient in terms of seeing results to train arms(and only arms) specifically x3 each week compared to a thought-out routine like SS.. Like I said, the problem is I cant really back these things up as I dont really know myself why they are true, if they are at all!

Anyway, I'd love if someone could just make a simple post explaining the problems with his method so I can show him and hopefully sway his opinion

Thanks

for one, if he only benches and doesn't train his back, he'll end up with disgracefully rounded shoulders.

Tigger

this is why

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWuftSF5kFM

EileenG

Apart from anything else, big lifts like squats and deadlifts tend to spike testosterone and growth hormone, so they will increase the size of all muscles. Training arms and chest does not do this.

There was a study where one group trained arms only and the other trained arms and legs. The arms and legs group gained more size on arms, even though they were only getting half the training time on arms.

gavkm27

I still kinda laugh to myself when i see guys come in a gym and just start doing bicep curls and tri workout,what crappy little hollywood muscles,cant remember the last time i did a workout on either,actually i may work them when i'm injured and cant do big compounds.
For me big biceps means bad form for big compounds,dont need them in the way while doing squat cleans!

d'Oracle

gavkm27 wrote: »

For me big biceps means bad form for big compounds,dont need them in the way while doing squat cleans!

The Piz disagrees.

brianthebard

Tbh I no longer see the point in complaining about bi and tri guys or trying to convince them to train differently. Whenever I see them try to do squats or deads the form is invariably terrible, and with no one to tell them differently they're not going to benefit much from squats and stuff beyond noob gains. Most of them are perfectly happy to just keep training chest and arms, and don't want to get much bigger. Just leave them at it and be glad if the squat rack is free.

Transform

brianthebard wrote: »

Tbh I no longer see the point in complaining about bi and tri guys or trying to convince them to train differently. Whenever I see them try to do squats or deads the form is invariably terrible, and with no one to tell them differently they're not going to benefit much from squats and stuff beyond noob gains. Most of them are perfectly happy to just keep training chest and arms, and don't want to get much bigger. Just leave them at it and be glad if the squat rack is free.

agreed - i know i should be offering all the pros to your point but to be honest who really cares.

Let him do his thing.

I always go with the opinion of become the change you want to see in others so you do your thing, get amazing results and THAT might sway his thinking