What are the muscle groups?

lostinwebspace

What are the main muscle groups you consider when you go working out? What I mean is, how do you divide them? I have six different muscle groups: arms (which includes biceps, triceps), shoulders, abs (which includes obliques), chest, legs (which includes calves and glutes, though I have to admit I don't know any decent glute workouts), and back/lats. Am I getting this right or am I missing some muscles or should I make further divisions, for instance should I do abs and obliques on separate days?

Cortelli

You'd be better off exploring some proven, freely available lifting programs and adopting one that appeals to you. Making up your own routines, especially without a fair bit of knowledge on how to do so, is a recipe for shortchanging yourself on your training.

JoRocka

Cortelli wrote: »

You'd be better off exploring some proven, freely available lifting programs and adopting one that appeals to you. Making up your own routines, especially without a fair bit of knowledge on how to do so, is a recipe for shortchanging yourself on your training.

nod.

I would worry more about getting a solid base of strength worked up- look into starting strength, strong lifts, new rules of lifting.

Doing a straight muscle split is more useful for sculpting (think physique/body building) verses over all fitness/improving strength.

It has a place- but for most people- doing a compound lift will get them further.

ninerbuff

Rarely do I have any clients on split workouts. With the exception of a couple of people working specifically on gains on certain muscle groups or say prepping someone for competition, I normally work up a workout that's full body with a good amount of compound movements.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

lostinwebspace

I've been reading some books (well, one specifically that covers this), and it recommends something different from what I've been doing. I've been splitting each workout into two groups per workout. So I'm gonna take the recommendations in that book and these in this discussion as well, and going to try to come up with something different.

I'm also looking at getting a PT in the near future once I have the money, and that should help. I'm looking forward to it. Had one about a year ago, and it was a really positive experience.

But thanks for the suggestions, and keep 'em coming!

falcon850

I hit chest abs, shoulders traps, quads and hams, back calves, arms. I do a 5 day split. How ever you do it you want to make sure your not short hanging yourself by using doing secondary muscles first and allowing ample time for recovery. So don't do shoulders or triceps then chest or biceps then back. But also if your starting out its good to do a full body workout for a few months until you've built a good base. Then I go to a 3 day split then 4 then 5.

Sam_I_Am77

If your goals are more bodybuilding oriented, then you may want to split it up by body part. If your goals are more general fitness, strength, athletics then you're going to want more of an upper body / lower body split with some core training included. One workout might look something like...

a. squat
b. press
c. chin-ups
d. dips
e. back raises
f. side planks

Simple. Effective.