Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
3/7/2012 10:31:43 AM EDT
So what do you guys think of full body workouts done 3-4 times a week compared to a more traditional legs/back/chest/shoulders etc etc workout schedule? I see some guys that come in and set up a circuit which usually consists of something along the lines of barbell rows, bench, abs, dumbbell shoulder press, incline dumbbell press and dips. Sometimes it seems like power cleans and lat pull downs are thrown in, but usually in that order. Goals would be to get stronger and build muscle.
3/7/2012 11:01:52 AM EDT
[#1]
INSANITY..FTW.
3/7/2012 11:05:39 AM EDT
[#2]
Sounds good for overall fitness and I'm sure you'll get some strength gains, but for packing on muscle I think you'd need to do more focused heavy lifting.
3/7/2012 12:50:43 PM EDT
[#3]
I think it depends on what you're doing and how heavy you're going.



For example, I might work the same muscle groups two days in a row, but it would not be at max weight two days in a row. If you do something like Crossfit you will be doing "full body" workouts almost everytime you workout BUT your heavy squat, bench and deadlift days should still be separated to allow for recovery.
3/7/2012 2:46:00 PM EDT
[#4]
Crossfit will work.  If you are looking for GPP with some muscle gains, this will be up your alley.



If you are looking for a more linear strength program with CF conditioning, follow Crossfit Football for a while.


 
3/7/2012 7:25:19 PM EDT
[#5]
Well, let me throw this out there. I LOVE lifting weights, but I also want to lose weight, I need to to keep my sanity. Right now I'm 250lbs(6'1) and want to get down to about 210. Problem is my lifting is making me crave food like I'm back in high school. It's a very fine line I'm walking, at least to me. Would a full body type workout do anything to help my hunger issues, if that makes any sense, which is probably doesn't.
3/7/2012 8:56:43 PM EDT
[#6]
1) drink a protein shake 20min before each meal.   Curbs the appetite, gives you the protein you need.



2) Full body workouts are fine to do... but if you like lifting weights?––> Lift weights3-4days/wk, do full body workouts 1-3 days/wk. Use the full body workouts as  'work capacity', not strength building.


 
3/8/2012 4:40:16 AM EDT
[#7]
I like the 4 day upper/lower split I'm on.  I ran Starting Strength for awhile, but I felt that a lot of areas started to lag behind.  I then went to a more traditional 4 day split by body part, and I found I was spending WAY too much time in the gym.  My current routine is:

Monday - Upper

Bench, Row, Press,Curl, Tri press

Tuesday - Lower

Squat, Romanian, GHR, Lunges, Leg Ext, Calf raise

repeat Thurs and Fri.

I mix in abs where I feel like it.
3/8/2012 6:22:34 AM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
I like the 4 day upper/lower split I'm on.  I ran Starting Strength for awhile, but I felt that a lot of areas started to lag behind.  I then went to a more traditional 4 day split by body part, and I found I was spending WAY too much time in the gym.  My current routine is:

Monday - Upper

Bench, Row, Press,Curl, Tri press

Tuesday - Lower

Squat, Romanian, GHR, Lunges, Leg Ext, Calf raise

repeat Thurs and Fri.

I mix in abs where I feel like it.


I'm trying to do something like this. A workout schedule like this works well for me and my work/school schedule. Do you feel like your building muscle and strenght with this?
3/8/2012 7:52:54 AM EDT
[#9]




Quoted:

1) drink a protein shake 20min before each meal. Curbs the appetite, gives you the protein you need.



2) Full body workouts are fine to do... but if you like lifting weights?––> Lift weights3-4days/wk, do full body workouts 1-3 days/wk. Use the full body workouts as 'work capacity', not strength building.





This is good advice. The full body workouts are great for work capacity (conditioning) think Crossfit, circuit courses, sled drags, tire flips etc...they are not really great for strength building though.
3/8/2012 7:54:01 AM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:

Quoted:
1) drink a protein shake 20min before each meal. Curbs the appetite, gives you the protein you need.

2) Full body workouts are fine to do... but if you like lifting weights?––> Lift weights3-4days/wk, do full body workouts 1-3 days/wk. Use the full body workouts as 'work capacity', not strength building.


This is good advice. The full body workouts are great for work capacity (conditioning) think Crossfit, circuit courses, sled drags, tire flips etc...they are not really great for strength building though.


Ok, thanks.
3/8/2012 7:55:50 AM EDT
[#11]




Quoted:



Quoted:





Quoted:

1) drink a protein shake 20min before each meal. Curbs the appetite, gives you the protein you need.



2) Full body workouts are fine to do... but if you like lifting weights?––> Lift weights3-4days/wk, do full body workouts 1-3 days/wk. Use the full body workouts as 'work capacity', not strength building.





This is good advice. The full body workouts are great for work capacity (conditioning) think Crossfit, circuit courses, sled drags, tire flips etc...they are not really great for strength building though.




Ok, thanks.




This is also why a lot of crossfitters pair crossfit up with starting strength or 5/3/1....those that do NOT do this never get very strong.
3/8/2012 10:28:02 AM EDT
[#12]
This is the workout I have been following:

MONDAY

BENCH: 5x5 @ 245lb
CURL: 5x5 @85lb
TRI-EXTENSTION: 5x5 @ 160lb
PEC-DEC: 5x5 @120lb
CARDIO: 45min eliptical @ min 68rpm

TUESDAY

PULLDOWN: 5x5 @ 160lb
MILITARY PRESS: 5x5 @ 135lb
BENT OVER BARBELL ROW: 5x5 @ 135lb
DUMBELL RAISES: 5x5 @ 45lb
SHOULDER SHRUGS 5x5 @90lb
CARDIO: 45min eliptical @ min 68rpm

WEDNESDAY

LOWER BACK RAISE: 3 sets/20 reps
SIDE BENDS: w/ 45lb dumbell 3 sets/20reps
100 situps
100 cruches
CARDIO: 45min eliptical @ min 68rpm

THURSDAY

SQUATS: 5x5 @ 245lb
LEG EXTENSION: 5x5 @ 130lb
100 situps
100 cruches

FRIDAY

HEAVY BAG: 5 - 3min "rounds"
CARDIO: 45min eliptical @ min 68rpm

I take Saturday and Sunday off.

Any comments or suggestions?

Thanks.
3/8/2012 3:03:37 PM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:


I'm trying to do something like this. A workout schedule like this works well for me and my work/school schedule. Do you feel like your building muscle and strenght with this?



Here's the workout with the rep ranges and progressions.  

Intermediate 2
All Pro Split
5 week cycle
A
Bench Presses do 4 work sets rep scheme 4-5-6-7-8 Do 2 warm up sets. 25% of the work set weight for 15 reps and 50% of the work set weight for 10 reps.
Bent-Over Rows do 4 work sets rep scheme 4-5-6-7-8
Overhead Barbell Presses do 2 work sets rep scheme 6-7-8-9-10
Barbell Curls do 2 work sets rep scheme 8-9-10-11-12
Tricep press do 2 work sets rep scheme 8-9-10-11-12
Hammer grip dumb bell press do 2 work sets rep scheme 8-9-10-11-12
Pull down do 2 work sets rep scheme 8-9-10-11-12

B
Squats do 4 work sets rep scheme 4-5-6-7-8 Do 2 warm up sets. 25% of the work set weight for 15 reps and 50% of the work set weight for 10 reps.
Leg extensions do 2 work sets rep scheme 8-10-12-15-20
Stiff-Legged Deadlifts do 2 work sets rep scheme 8-9-10-11-12
Leg curls do 2 work sets rep scheme 8-9-10-11-12
Calf Raises do 2 work sets rep scheme 8-10-12-15-20
Seated calf press do 2 work sets rep scheme 8-10-12-15-20
Add ab work
If you get all of the reps on week 5 add 5%
That should get you started. I would do this A/B/A then B/A/B until you come up to speed. Then try 4 work outs per week. A-B off. A-B off off.


The weight doesn't go up until you get all your reps on the 5th week, then you add 5% and start over.  I like it so far.  Seems to cover all the core stuff without much bullshit.  I've only been on for 3 weeks and have noticed a fair amount of strength.  For instance, my bench is 225.  I repped that 32 times today.  
3/8/2012 3:34:59 PM EDT
[#14]



Quoted:


This is the workout I have been following:



MONDAY



BENCH: 5x5 @ 245lb

CURL: 5x5 @85lb

TRI-EXTENSTION: 5x5 @ 160lb

PEC-DEC: 5x5 @120lb

CARDIO: 45min eliptical @ min 68rpm



TUESDAY



PULLDOWN: 5x5 @ 160lb

MILITARY PRESS: 5x5 @ 135lb

BENT OVER BARBELL ROW: 5x5 @ 135lb

DUMBELL RAISES: 5x5 @ 45lb

SHOULDER SHRUGS 5x5 @90lb

CARDIO: 45min eliptical @ min 68rpm



WEDNESDAY



LOWER BACK RAISE: 3 sets/20 reps

SIDE BENDS: w/ 45lb dumbell 3 sets/20reps

100 situps

100 cruches

CARDIO: 45min eliptical @ min 68rpm



THURSDAY



SQUATS: 5x5 @ 245lb

LEG EXTENSION: 5x5 @ 130lb

100 situps

100 cruches



FRIDAY



HEAVY BAG: 5 - 3min "rounds"

CARDIO: 45min eliptical @ min 68rpm



I take Saturday and Sunday off.



Any comments or suggestions?



Thanks.




Monday:
same- looks good  Do some ab work, don't go crazy



Tuesday:

Squat 5x5

Leg press, step ups or lunges instead of extensions

Ditch the situps/crunches entirely. Do standing ab work on squat/lower body day.  Bands, cables, twisting work, etc...  Go heavy



Wed: Rest or your Friday/ conditioning



Thursday:

Same as your Tuesday––> Do pullups instead of pulldowns...



Friday: Deadlift or Squat again, do goodmornings and add lower back raises if it's a weakness?   for abs do v-seats or hanging leg raises... or more standing ab work.





============



If I were starting out again...  this is what I would have started with



 
3/8/2012 4:04:00 PM EDT
[#15]
Quoted:

Quoted:
This is the workout I have been following:

MONDAY

BENCH: 5x5 @ 245lb
CURL: 5x5 @85lb
TRI-EXTENSTION: 5x5 @ 160lb
PEC-DEC: 5x5 @120lb
CARDIO: 45min eliptical @ min 68rpm

TUESDAY

PULLDOWN: 5x5 @ 160lb
MILITARY PRESS: 5x5 @ 135lb
BENT OVER BARBELL ROW: 5x5 @ 135lb
DUMBELL RAISES: 5x5 @ 45lb
SHOULDER SHRUGS 5x5 @90lb
CARDIO: 45min eliptical @ min 68rpm

WEDNESDAY

LOWER BACK RAISE: 3 sets/20 reps
SIDE BENDS: w/ 45lb dumbell 3 sets/20reps
100 situps
100 cruches
CARDIO: 45min eliptical @ min 68rpm

THURSDAY

SQUATS: 5x5 @ 245lb
LEG EXTENSION: 5x5 @ 130lb
100 situps
100 cruches

FRIDAY

HEAVY BAG: 5 - 3min "rounds"
CARDIO: 45min eliptical @ min 68rpm

I take Saturday and Sunday off.

Any comments or suggestions?

Thanks.


Monday:
same- looks good  Do some ab work, don't go crazy

Tuesday:
Squat 5x5
Leg press, step ups or lunges instead of extensions
Ditch the situps/crunches entirely. Do standing ab work on squat/lower body day.  Bands, cables, twisting work, etc...  Go heavy

Wed: Rest or your Friday/ conditioning

Thursday:
Same as your Tuesday––> Do pullups instead of pulldowns...

Friday: Deadlift or Squat again, do goodmornings and add lower back raises if it's a weakness?   for abs do v-seats or hanging leg raises... or more standing ab work.


============

If I were starting out again...  this is what I would have started with
 


Thanks for the tips. I will definately give them a try. Never thought about deadlifts. I am going to throw those in.