Full Body Workouts - Muscle Building?
timmster97
Posts: 6 Member
I've been reading a lot about how in the pre-roid era, the body builders would do full body workouts. I'm curious if anyone has had experience doing full body routines, and if so, are they good for building strength and muscle? Thanks in advance!
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The most commonly recommended beginners barbell training routine is probably 5x5 SL, which is a full body work out and gives excellent strength and (with the right diet) muscle gain.
I work with a PT who bases his beginner and intermediate plans around full body work outs (unless, I guess there is some specific sporting, mobility, or rehab reason not to).1 -
StealthHealth wrote: »The most commonly recommended beginners barbell training routine is probably 5x5 SL, which is a full body work out and gives excellent strength and (with the right diet) muscle gain.
I work with a PT who bases his beginner and intermediate plans around full body work outs (unless, I guess there is some specific sporting, mobility, or rehab reason not to).
Agreed. I would say the one except or reason to not follow a full body routine is if you struggle with recovery issues. Some people struggle to adequate recovery from squating/DL 3x a week and would benefit more from an upper/lower or push/pull split. But starting with a full body 3x routine, is a great place to start. A lot of them can be found here.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p11 -
I agree with the above.
For me full body is in line with my goals and is a perfect use of my limited gym time. I am currently bulking and doing full body training, my goals are to primarily grow the lower body, so it makes sense to hit the lower body 3-4x per week. However, my program is not self-designed, it is very strategic and allows for adequate work and recovery (ie I'm not just hammering the legs as hard as I can 4x per week!)
In the end different things work for different people. I have done body part splits, upper/lower splits and full body. Full body is my winner winner chicken dinner
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I think full body workouts can be great at any stage, but are particularly appropriate for new lifters who need to gain all over muscle and strength. Splits can be helpful down the line when you are trying to focus in on particular and/or lagging muscle groups and have a stronger mind/muscle connection so that you can make the most out of isolation exercises.1
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I am not sure when the "pre-roid" area was unless you are talking about in the 50's maybe. I think for the most part training body parts separately works best. Mixing up your days and routine is necessary, combining things like Chest and Traps, Back, Calves and Forearms etc.
I think there is a place for full body routines and maybe once every other month you take 3 days out of your training week and do a full body to shock your system. Depends on your goal to be honest.1 -
I cycle from full body for a few months, to isolation work. I love either workout and usually just mix it up to suit my time constraints.
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I am not sure when the "pre-roid" area was unless you are talking about in the 50's maybe. I think for the most part training body parts separately works best. Mixing up your days and routine is necessary, combining things like Chest and Traps, Back, Calves and Forearms etc.
I think there is a place for full body routines and maybe once every other month you take 3 days out of your training week and do a full body to shock your system. Depends on your goal to be honest.
LOLZ for the day...thank you for that. Full body is great for just about anyone.... 3 days/week. MWF or TTHS...whatever works for you. It's a fairly simple principal Frequency/Volume/Recovery are all important.
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LOLZ for the day...thank you for that. Full body is great for just about anyone.... 3 days/week. MWF or TTHS...whatever works for you. It's a fairly simple principal Frequency/Volume/Recovery are all important.
Not quite sure whats funny about that. It all depends on what the person is trying to achieve to blindly saying its good for just about everyone is not correct. 3 days a week may not be enough for an individuals goals or it may be. It all depends on what they are trying to achieve.
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timmster97 wrote: »I've been reading a lot about how in the pre-roid era, the body builders would do full body workouts. I'm curious if anyone has had experience doing full body routines, and if so, are they good for building strength and muscle? Thanks in advance!
If you're a beginner, you're going to be better off with a full body program...the volume that a typical split involves is generally not appropriate for a beginner.
My coach/trainer trains a variety of high level athletes as well as Joe Schmoes like me...regardless of how advanced they are in their lifting, most of those athletes utilize full body programming as a split would take away from training for their sport. A full body program is great for fitness, athleticism, and yes...you can absolutely build a nice physique.
The only people I know who train in splits with him are body builders (or guys that want to look that way) and competitive power lifters. If you want to be a body builder or look like that then ultimately a split would be the way you would want to go down the road...I just wouldn't start there.1 -
Not quite sure whats funny about that. It all depends on what the person is trying to achieve to blindly saying its good for just about everyone is not correct. 3 days a week may not be enough for an individuals goals or it may be. It all depends on what they are trying to achieve.
Ok, if you're not using Vitamin S and don't plan on competing at a professional level body builder, then YES full body workouts are GREAT! Three days a week no matter the goal can be accomplished using the principles I outlined once a gain..... Volume/ Frequency / Recovery........ You do realize weight lifting is catabolic...right???1 -
That is all i do are full body routines with compound lifts and accessories 3 times a week. Of course I throw a Bro day in for the 4th. It works. Many have said a whole lot here so I dont have much to add then personal experience. Most important is being consistent and tracking. You want to progress with your lifts on any program. Lots of luck!2
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Not quite sure whats funny about that. It all depends on what the person is trying to achieve to blindly saying its good for just about everyone is not correct. 3 days a week may not be enough for an individuals goals or it may be. It all depends on what they are trying to achieve.
Ok, if you're not using Vitamin S and don't plan on competing at a professional level body builder, then YES full body workouts are GREAT! Three days a week no matter the goal can be accomplished using the principles I outlined once a gain..... Volume/ Frequency / Recovery........ You do realize weight lifting is catabolic...right???
stop confusing the bro with actual science...6 -
mattyc772014 wrote: »That is all i do are full body routines with compound lifts and accessories 3 times a week. Of course I throw a Bro day in for the 4th. It works. Many have said a whole lot here so I dont have much to add then personal experience. Most important is being consistent and tracking. You want to progress with your lifts on any program. Lots of luck!
^^^ It's truly that simply!0 -
I started off doing full body workouts and after some time - maybe a year or so - I started to do splits. Mainly because my focus changed to not overall health but to really focus on specific parts of my physique that I want to grow more, etc. I mean, I still work the whole body out, but for example, I want to grow my shoulders and lats more, so I focus more on that.0
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I did full body for a while with great success. As stated above, recovery can be an issue if you train too much. I worked out twice a week with great results doing something similar to dogg crapp training.0
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mattyc772014 wrote: »That is all i do are full body routines with compound lifts and accessories 3 times a week. Of course I throw a Bro day in for the 4th. It works. Many have said a whole lot here so I dont have much to add then personal experience. Most important is being consistent and tracking. You want to progress with your lifts on any program. Lots of luck!
^^^ It's truly that simply!
Exactly, the best programming, the program you actually do consistently. I am running SS, it works, fits my schedule. I got a job, active kids, so there have even been several weeks where things have come up and I've only worked out twice, but that's still a decent week because it's two hard full-body workouts.0 -
Not quite sure whats funny about that. It all depends on what the person is trying to achieve to blindly saying its good for just about everyone is not correct. 3 days a week may not be enough for an individuals goals or it may be. It all depends on what they are trying to achieve.
Ok, if you're not using Vitamin S and don't plan on competing at a professional level body builder, then YES full body workouts are GREAT! Three days a week no matter the goal can be accomplished using the principles I outlined once a gain..... Volume/ Frequency / Recovery........ You do realize weight lifting is catabolic...right???
Love this argument. Guy that actually has an impressive physique gets told how things are by a less than average joe who then implioes that he is celltekking (which automatically means you didn't work hard at all or make any sacrifices for that body) . Alrightty... I'll listen to the guy that has a physique I'd be proud of (if bodybuilding was my aspiration).2 -
Not quite sure whats funny about that. It all depends on what the person is trying to achieve to blindly saying its good for just about everyone is not correct. 3 days a week may not be enough for an individuals goals or it may be. It all depends on what they are trying to achieve.
Ok, if you're not using Vitamin S and don't plan on competing at a professional level body builder, then YES full body workouts are GREAT! Three days a week no matter the goal can be accomplished using the principles I outlined once a gain..... Volume/ Frequency / Recovery........ You do realize weight lifting is catabolic...right???
Love this argument. Guy that actually has an impressive physique gets told how things are by a less than average joe who then implioes that he is celltekking (which automatically means you didn't work hard at all or make any sacrifices for that body) . Alrightty... I'll listen to the guy that has a physique I'd be proud of (if bodybuilding was my aspiration).
Because there is a direct correlation between muscle size and knowledge? Have you seen mark rippetoe?0 -
Not quite sure whats funny about that. It all depends on what the person is trying to achieve to blindly saying its good for just about everyone is not correct. 3 days a week may not be enough for an individuals goals or it may be. It all depends on what they are trying to achieve.
Ok, if you're not using Vitamin S and don't plan on competing at a professional level body builder, then YES full body workouts are GREAT! Three days a week no matter the goal can be accomplished using the principles I outlined once a gain..... Volume/ Frequency / Recovery........ You do realize weight lifting is catabolic...right???
Love this argument. Guy that actually has an impressive physique gets told how things are by a less than average joe who then implioes that he is celltekking (which automatically means you didn't work hard at all or make any sacrifices for that body) . Alrightty... I'll listen to the guy that has a physique I'd be proud of (if bodybuilding was my aspiration).
Because there is a direct correlation between muscle size and knowledge? Have you seen mark rippetoe?
There is a direct correlation between muscle size and experience. I have read starting strength and practical programming- great books. Mark Ripptoe is very expericed in the weightroom and knowledgable. What's your point0 -
Not quite sure whats funny about that. It all depends on what the person is trying to achieve to blindly saying its good for just about everyone is not correct. 3 days a week may not be enough for an individuals goals or it may be. It all depends on what they are trying to achieve.
Ok, if you're not using Vitamin S and don't plan on competing at a professional level body builder, then YES full body workouts are GREAT! Three days a week no matter the goal can be accomplished using the principles I outlined once a gain..... Volume/ Frequency / Recovery........ You do realize weight lifting is catabolic...right???
Love this argument. Guy that actually has an impressive physique gets told how things are by a less than average joe who then implioes that he is celltekking (which automatically means you didn't work hard at all or make any sacrifices for that body) . Alrightty... I'll listen to the guy that has a physique I'd be proud of (if bodybuilding was my aspiration).
Did you even read what I wrote???? Lol. Thanks for assuming I'm an 'average joe' because I don't have the same physique as the guy who started the thread.
I wasn't insulting him, I was stating factual information about Jay Cutler. Also, I will stand by my statement that the MAJORITY of people on here are the average joe who would most definitely benefit from a lot of information that gets posted on these boards.
It's also the responsibility of the person to do their own research and decide what they feel is credible.
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Not quite sure whats funny about that. It all depends on what the person is trying to achieve to blindly saying its good for just about everyone is not correct. 3 days a week may not be enough for an individuals goals or it may be. It all depends on what they are trying to achieve.
Ok, if you're not using Vitamin S and don't plan on competing at a professional level body builder, then YES full body workouts are GREAT! Three days a week no matter the goal can be accomplished using the principles I outlined once a gain..... Volume/ Frequency / Recovery........ You do realize weight lifting is catabolic...right???
Love this argument. Guy that actually has an impressive physique gets told how things are by a less than average joe who then implioes that he is celltekking (which automatically means you didn't work hard at all or make any sacrifices for that body) . Alrightty... I'll listen to the guy that has a physique I'd be proud of (if bodybuilding was my aspiration).
Because there is a direct correlation between muscle size and knowledge? Have you seen mark rippetoe?
There is a direct correlation between muscle size and experience. I have read starting strength and practical programming- great books. Mark Ripptoe is very expericed in the weightroom and knowledgable. What's your point
Have you seen mark rippetoe's photo? He goes against your muscle size and experience correlation.0 -
Not quite sure whats funny about that. It all depends on what the person is trying to achieve to blindly saying its good for just about everyone is not correct. 3 days a week may not be enough for an individuals goals or it may be. It all depends on what they are trying to achieve.
Ok, if you're not using Vitamin S and don't plan on competing at a professional level body builder, then YES full body workouts are GREAT! Three days a week no matter the goal can be accomplished using the principles I outlined once a gain..... Volume/ Frequency / Recovery........ You do realize weight lifting is catabolic...right???
Love this argument. Guy that actually has an impressive physique gets told how things are by a less than average joe who then implioes that he is celltekking (which automatically means you didn't work hard at all or make any sacrifices for that body) . Alrightty... I'll listen to the guy that has a physique I'd be proud of (if bodybuilding was my aspiration).
Because there is a direct correlation between muscle size and knowledge? Have you seen mark rippetoe?
There is a direct correlation between muscle size and experience. I have read starting strength and practical programming- great books. Mark Ripptoe is very expericed in the weightroom and knowledgable. What's your point
While this is true, context matters. What is appropriate for your large muscled dude is not necessarily appropriate for a beginner. They are lifting heavier, gains come slower, and are building on top of an existing muscle base that most would be perfectly happy to end up with. There's a reason lifting has different programs targeted for beginners, intermediates, etc.0 -
Not quite sure whats funny about that. It all depends on what the person is trying to achieve to blindly saying its good for just about everyone is not correct. 3 days a week may not be enough for an individuals goals or it may be. It all depends on what they are trying to achieve.
Ok, if you're not using Vitamin S and don't plan on competing at a professional level body builder, then YES full body workouts are GREAT! Three days a week no matter the goal can be accomplished using the principles I outlined once a gain..... Volume/ Frequency / Recovery........ You do realize weight lifting is catabolic...right???
Love this argument. Guy that actually has an impressive physique gets told how things are by a less than average joe who then implioes that he is celltekking (which automatically means you didn't work hard at all or make any sacrifices for that body) . Alrightty... I'll listen to the guy that has a physique I'd be proud of (if bodybuilding was my aspiration).
Because there is a direct correlation between muscle size and knowledge? Have you seen mark rippetoe?
There is a direct correlation between muscle size and experience. I have read starting strength and practical programming- great books. Mark Ripptoe is very expericed in the weightroom and knowledgable. What's your point
Not necessarily. There are plenty of people who get big by 1. drugs, or 2. have great coaches. Heck, they may not even have the time to understand why they were able to achieve the results they did, but rather very good at following a detailed plan and had a good programming. I know several competitors who don't know much, but rather are very good at following plans to the T. And that is ok. They don't need to know the science... they need to know how to achieve that specific goal. But in terms of application, I would follow the person who is the most intelligent and can lay out the most effective plan.
BTW, here is a pic of Mark Rippetoe... looks jacked right?
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Not quite sure whats funny about that. It all depends on what the person is trying to achieve to blindly saying its good for just about everyone is not correct. 3 days a week may not be enough for an individuals goals or it may be. It all depends on what they are trying to achieve.
Ok, if you're not using Vitamin S and don't plan on competing at a professional level body builder, then YES full body workouts are GREAT! Three days a week no matter the goal can be accomplished using the principles I outlined once a gain..... Volume/ Frequency / Recovery........ You do realize weight lifting is catabolic...right???
Love this argument. Guy that actually has an impressive physique gets told how things are by a less than average joe who then implioes that he is celltekking (which automatically means you didn't work hard at all or make any sacrifices for that body) . Alrightty... I'll listen to the guy that has a physique I'd be proud of (if bodybuilding was my aspiration).
Because there is a direct correlation between muscle size and knowledge? Have you seen mark rippetoe?
There is a direct correlation between muscle size and experience. I have read starting strength and practical programming- great books. Mark Ripptoe is very expericed in the weightroom and knowledgable. What's your point
Not necessarily. There are plenty of people who get big by 1. drugs, or 2. have great coaches. Heck, they may not even have the time to understand why they were able to achieve the results they did, but rather very good at following a detailed plan and had a good programming. I know several competitors who don't know much, but rather are very good at following plans to the T. And that is ok. They don't need to know the science... they need to know how to achieve that specific goal. But in terms of application, I would follow the person who is the most intelligent and can lay out the most effective plan.
BTW, here is a pic of Mark Rippetoe... looks jacked right?
Looks like he could squat more than me so i would take his advice on how to do that. I wouldn't take ole markys advice on how to build a good physique.0 -
Not quite sure whats funny about that. It all depends on what the person is trying to achieve to blindly saying its good for just about everyone is not correct. 3 days a week may not be enough for an individuals goals or it may be. It all depends on what they are trying to achieve.
Ok, if you're not using Vitamin S and don't plan on competing at a professional level body builder, then YES full body workouts are GREAT! Three days a week no matter the goal can be accomplished using the principles I outlined once a gain..... Volume/ Frequency / Recovery........ You do realize weight lifting is catabolic...right???
Love this argument. Guy that actually has an impressive physique gets told how things are by a less than average joe who then implioes that he is celltekking (which automatically means you didn't work hard at all or make any sacrifices for that body) . Alrightty... I'll listen to the guy that has a physique I'd be proud of (if bodybuilding was my aspiration).
Love this argument.
Using someone's physique to validate what information is right.
Would you take Lyle McDonald's advice on training and diet?2 -
Not quite sure whats funny about that. It all depends on what the person is trying to achieve to blindly saying its good for just about everyone is not correct. 3 days a week may not be enough for an individuals goals or it may be. It all depends on what they are trying to achieve.
Ok, if you're not using Vitamin S and don't plan on competing at a professional level body builder, then YES full body workouts are GREAT! Three days a week no matter the goal can be accomplished using the principles I outlined once a gain..... Volume/ Frequency / Recovery........ You do realize weight lifting is catabolic...right???
Love this argument. Guy that actually has an impressive physique gets told how things are by a less than average joe who then implioes that he is celltekking (which automatically means you didn't work hard at all or make any sacrifices for that body) . Alrightty... I'll listen to the guy that has a physique I'd be proud of (if bodybuilding was my aspiration).
Because there is a direct correlation between muscle size and knowledge? Have you seen mark rippetoe?
There is a direct correlation between muscle size and experience. I have read starting strength and practical programming- great books. Mark Ripptoe is very expericed in the weightroom and knowledgable. What's your point
Lyle Mcdonald, go look him up and tell me if you would take his advice. Because I guarantee you he's one of the best if not the best in the field and he looks like he's never picked up a weight.
Do you have any idea how many complete idiots there are on gear who are jacked AF? Trust me I've met plenty of them who truly have no clue, but they train their *kitten* off and run gear and they're successful.
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Not quite sure whats funny about that. It all depends on what the person is trying to achieve to blindly saying its good for just about everyone is not correct. 3 days a week may not be enough for an individuals goals or it may be. It all depends on what they are trying to achieve.
Ok, if you're not using Vitamin S and don't plan on competing at a professional level body builder, then YES full body workouts are GREAT! Three days a week no matter the goal can be accomplished using the principles I outlined once a gain..... Volume/ Frequency / Recovery........ You do realize weight lifting is catabolic...right???
Love this argument. Guy that actually has an impressive physique gets told how things are by a less than average joe who then implioes that he is celltekking (which automatically means you didn't work hard at all or make any sacrifices for that body) . Alrightty... I'll listen to the guy that has a physique I'd be proud of (if bodybuilding was my aspiration).
Because there is a direct correlation between muscle size and knowledge? Have you seen mark rippetoe?
There is a direct correlation between muscle size and experience. I have read starting strength and practical programming- great books. Mark Ripptoe is very expericed in the weightroom and knowledgable. What's your point
Lyle Mcdonald, go look him up and tell me if you would take his advice. Because I guarantee you he's one of the best if not the best in the field and he looks like he's never picked up a weight.
Do you have any idea how many complete idiots there are on gear who are jacked AF? Trust me I've met plenty of them who truly have no clue, but they train their *kitten* off and run gear and they're successful.
I have a friend who worked with a Washington Redskin and she was told if you want to lose weight and get fit, you have to eliminate yeast from your diet. I almost feel out of my chair. Just goes to show, even if you are paid millions to play a professional sport; have access to some very good trainers, doctors and sports nutritionist; you still get crap information.1 -
Not quite sure whats funny about that. It all depends on what the person is trying to achieve to blindly saying its good for just about everyone is not correct. 3 days a week may not be enough for an individuals goals or it may be. It all depends on what they are trying to achieve.
Ok, if you're not using Vitamin S and don't plan on competing at a professional level body builder, then YES full body workouts are GREAT! Three days a week no matter the goal can be accomplished using the principles I outlined once a gain..... Volume/ Frequency / Recovery........ You do realize weight lifting is catabolic...right???
Love this argument. Guy that actually has an impressive physique gets told how things are by a less than average joe who then implioes that he is celltekking (which automatically means you didn't work hard at all or make any sacrifices for that body) . Alrightty... I'll listen to the guy that has a physique I'd be proud of (if bodybuilding was my aspiration).
You lack basic reading comprehension.
He stated that full body workouts are better for non-competitive, non-steroid using individuals when compared to body part specific splits.
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I am not sure when the "pre-roid" area was unless you are talking about in the 50's maybe. I think for the most part training body parts separately works best. Mixing up your days and routine is necessary, combining things like Chest and Traps, Back, Calves and Forearms etc.
I think there is a place for full body routines and maybe once every other month you take 3 days out of your training week and do a full body to shock your system. Depends on your goal to be honest.
There's evidence out suggesting that higher frequency training is potentially superior to body-part splits since you can upregulate MPS more frequently. The idea being that if you can train as soon as MPS returns to baseline you're minimizing the time spent NOT accumulating muscle protein.
Additionally, there's a very good benefit to high frequency training from a skill component aspect. Squatting 3+ times per week gets you better at squatting compared to squatting 1 time per week, for example. Now if you're doing low skill component exercises like leg press then you may not need as much skill acquisition and so this wouldn't apply as significantly. However many people here like to squat and bench and deadlift and they have goals of getting stronger in those movements, and part of that involves getting good at the skill of squatting/benching/deadlifting.
And since we can make a good argument that strength acquisition can influence hypertrophy by allowing you to use heavier loads, I think it seems reasonable to suggest that (at least in natural athletes) higher frequency training may be superior to infrequent/body-part splits.
Sure, you can obviously do body-part training and go to the gym 6 days per week or even do 2/day training but now you're talking about something that is a) inefficient although quite effective and b) not a realistic thing for most people's lifestyle
Finally, there's also a lot of in between -- you could run an upper/lower or you could combine full body with some accessory days and end up with a really well rounded program.
You can't just assume that what enhanced IFBB guys and gals do is necessarily optimal and you damn sure can't assume that what they do is applicable to naturals at a variety of fitness levels.11 -
Full body routines are great for building strength and muscle, assuming you are eating enough and progressing in your lifts.0
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