Whether you're trying to tighten up loose ends, cut fat, or hulk out, exercise is the cornerstone of a good fitness program. To have a chiseled, athletic look takes discipline, hard work and a training regimen that you can stick to. In fitness and weight training circles you may hear the training schedule referred to as a "training split." The training split simply refers to how often you train specific muscle groups in a given period of time. When you're giving your all in the gym, doing those workout routines to build muscle, which training split is best? Simply put, the best training split is the one that you can maintain week after week, month after month, and year after year.
The Standard Training Split
Throughout my years of working out, asking one buff dude after another how to build lean muscle, I've seen some pretty similar training routines. The most common one that I split I see, is the 3-5 times a week plan that looks a bit like this:
MONDAY - Chest, Triceps and Shoulders
TUESDAY - Back, Biceps
WEDNESDAY- Legs
THURSDAY - Rest
What happened to Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday? I'm glad you asked. If a person is really serious about their fitness, they generally repeat this routine after their Thursday rest day. The makes a whopping six days a week of weight training!!
As cool as this may sound, I don't like being in the gym six days a week. I honestly don't think it's necessary, unless of course you're trying to become an IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding) professional...which I'm not.
The Long Training Split
In general splits are planned on a weekly (7-day) basis, but they don't have to be. I've seen crazy splits that can go ten or even 15 days long. These kinds of splits allot time for more focused training and I usually don't see the average person following this type of split.
My Split
We've looked at two different training splits, but I guess mine is slightly different than these. I want to be muscular, but I just want to develop strong, functional muscles for kicking and punching, and the endurance for sparring (my training is geared towards karate/martial arts training). Here's what my regimen looks like:
Monday- Chest, Triceps, and Shoulders
Tuesday- Back, Biceps, and Abs
Wednesday- Karate/Cardio
Thursday- Legs and Abs
Friday- Spot training *This is the day I hit any areas that need extra work
Saturday- Karate/Cardio
Sunday- Rest (Despite this being a "rest day" I usually end up doing some kind of karate training & light cardio, though)
Changing Your Split
Some people get so caught up in a particular routine that they forget they're in complete control of their workouts. You're not a slave to your split. You're in charge. That's one of the things I like about training, you have complete autonomy. If you think your training split sucks, guess what? You are well within your rights to modify it. You can adjust, adjust, and adjust again until you have a training schedule that is custom built for your body and for your schedule.
Whether you're trying to figure out the best way to build lean muscle fast or the alchemy behind building bigger calf muscles, remember that most great things start with a plan. Treat your muscle building and fitness goals in the exact same fashion. Plan big...Grow big.
Mike Pow
Mike Pow is a fitness enthusiast who has been in love with weight training exercise and fitness for over 15 years. Learn more more about the best chest workouts, back muscle exercises, how to build lean muscle fast, and how have better overall fitness.
If you're struggling to reach your fitness goals, be sure to get your free copy of the 7 Secrets to Your Ideal Body at http://cnbmusclebuilding.com
Mike Pow
Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Pow
Did you find this article helpful?00
Get Involved
0 commentsSuggest a topicArticle ToolsPrint this articleE-mail to a friendEzinePublisherReport this articleCite this articleStay InformedGet notified by email when new articles are added to this category or written by this author.Subscribe to New Article Alerts: Health and Fitness: Build-Muscle
Mike Pow
Build Muscle Article FeedFind More ArticlesSearchSimilar ArticlesHow to Bulk Up - Bulking Up 101 For Fast Muscle GainFast Muscles Gain For Easy to Pack on Lean Muscle Mass21 Day Fast Mass Building Review - Gain Muscle Without Fat?MMA Workout Routine for a Ripped Body - And a Win for Fighters and LoversThe Characteristics of a Good Workout Routine - 4 Things That Make a Workout Program ExcellentThe Best Workout Routine to Build Muscle - Get Results Fast!A Sample Workout Routine to Build Muscle21 Day Fast Mass Building Review - Perspective of an Actual CustomerWhat Is The Best Ectomorph Workout Routine and Diet Plan?Workout Routine for Weight Loss, Strength and Endurance Gain or Mass GainRecent ArticlesA Simple Way To Get Strong And Lean4 Important Workout FoodsReal Life Advice To Gain Weight For The SkinnyThe Very Best Back Widening Exercises7 Tips To Six Pack SuccessThe Most Visually Transforming Body PartsMirror TrainingTop 6 Questions Surrounding the Navy SEAL Training ProgramWeight Gain Foods That Will Lead To Explosive Muscle GainsHow to Build Muscle Fast for Skinny Guys: Methods That Are Tried and TestedSubmitted On March 12, 2012. Viewed 11 times. Word count: 573.MLA Style Citation:Pow, Mike".".12 Mar. 2012EzineArticles.com.17 Mar. 2012
Pow, M. (2012, March 12). . Retrieved March 17, 2012, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Muscle-Building:-Whats-Your-Training-Split?&id=6934118Chicago Style Citation:
Pow, Mike "." EzineArticles.com. http://ezinearticles.com/?Muscle-Building:-Whats-Your-Training-Split?&id=6934118
EzineArticles.com© 2012 EzineArticles.comAll Rights Reserved WorldwideAbout UsFAQContact UsMember BenefitsPrivacy PolicyShopSite MapBlogTrainingVideo ArchiveAdvertisingAffiliatesCartoonsAuthorsSubmit ArticlesMembers LoginPremium MembershipExpert AuthorsEndorsementsEditorial GuidelinesTerms of ServicePublishersFollow UsTerms Of ServiceEzines / Email AlertsManage SubscriptionsEzineArticles RSS
View the Original article
EzineArticles.com© 2012 EzineArticles.com