Why do people do leg day, arm day etc? Why not do all of them everyday?

After an hour of lifting medium heavy, I'm toast. I've yet to develop a lower body routine that works with my bad knees and cranky lower back, so I currently have a chest & shoulders day followed by a back day at least two days after. I previously did this all in a session and ended up hurting my shoulder, likely from over-training my front and under-training my back. I like this split much better.

http://seannal.com/articles/training/rear-deltoid-exercises.php

reyoflightphoto wrote: »

Cylphin60 wrote: »

reyoflightphoto wrote: »

I lift heavy. After a few sets of deads and a few sets of squats, I am toast. So if I try to follow that with bench and overheads, my upper body isn't going to get worked very well because I am already too wiped to push it as hard as I need to. I only do five exercises for the most part, but I still split them up. I personally think any workout where you can do it all in one session, is not really worth your time because you obviously aren't pushing yourself over the limits which means your body doesn't really need to step up it's game, and that means you aren't really moving forward. That's why I don't do it.

I have to disagree regarding a programs worth. I train a combination of strength and body weight, and every session is full body, takes about 1.5 hours and has gotten me much more than I expected in the way of gains.

But I'm not a power lifter or body builder either. I think determining the goals, and then choosing the program(s) needed to get there is the way to go really, rather than viewing lifting/workouts as one size fits all type programs.

Fair enough. If you value high levels of endurance in addition to strength then your program is better for you. I don't see the value of endurance to that level in the long run unless your goals are to be able to run a marathon or climb a huge mountain or become America's next top ninja among many others.
My goals have to do with wanting to be able to get up out of a chair with ease when I am 90, along with things like not falling out of bed and having to wait for someone to pick me up. I also want to be able to go on long walks still. Training for that requires more strength and less endurance. I try to maintain 10,000 steps a day for endurance enough to get around when I am older. I have no desire to run marathons or anything else that requires great amounts of stamina so it makes no sense for me to work on endurance to that extreme. I am looking for bone health and strength for a healthy future.
I work out for about 2 hours a week, maybe 3. I would be curious how my strength gains compare to yours. I would imagine they might be similar, but you probably have more endurance. So yes, I can see what you are saying. If you value high levels of endurance in addition to strength then the extra time is not wasted. If you are looking for strength and enough stamina to lead a healthy life and you don't want to spend long hours in the gym, it's better to go heavy and keep it simple.
It really does all depend on your goals and your lifestyle and what you value.
But I must say to the original poster, don't work out full body every day. Your muscles do need rest. I really don't think that can be argued. At 23 you might be able to take it, but it won't go well as you age. Muscles are being torn down in a work out, they need time to rebuild. That's the truth!

LOl, we have the same goals I'm 57 and love being able to keep up with the kids. Regarding the strength gains yours are probably higher due to the way you're approaching it. I'm about at my goal weight, but keeping a slight deficit most days, so while my gains are great compared to where I was at when I started, I couldn't say that I can match someone who's been strength training at maintenance or a surplus for a while.

So we're hitting it from different angles, but I wish you the best with your goals. No walkers or canes for us.

stephenearllucas wrote: »

Cylphin60 wrote: »

I have to disagree regarding a program. I train a combination of strength and body weight, and every session is full body, takes about 1.5 hours and has gotten me much more than I expected in the way of gains.

But I'm not a power lifter or body builder either. I think determining the goals, and then choosing the program(s) needed to get there is the way to go really, rather than viewing lifting/workouts as one size fits all type programs.

I'd be interested in what your routine is--I'm looking for something whole body with more emphasis on body weight exercises. FYI, I'm just starting maintenance, at 6'2", 183 pounds, 57 years old, male. Thanks!

@stephenearllucas - I use the 5x5 format M, W, F with some slight adjustments. I don't pursue maximum weights due to multiple injuries over the years that I just don't want to chance re-aggravating. But my program looks something like this most weeks, with leeway for those days I just feel like something different.

Important note here: My goals are geared towards being a strong/healthy 57 year old who, as another poster said elsewhere, wants to be able to get out of my own chair at 90 That, and my wife and I (she's strength training too at 53 years old) still have lots of hikes and fishing left to do
So define your goals, and that will help determine the program you follow.

I also use a home gym with bench, squat rack, bowflex, TRX straps and various free weights. For body weight I use "You are your own Gym" - although there are many others available.

Sunday - rest day. Long walks, elliptical for 30 minutes etc
Every day - at least 3 miles walking, which daily business eats a lot of.

Each primary workout day (M,W,F) I might substitute other exercises occasionally. This seems to really help me keep from falling into a rut.

Mondays, Fridays
Stretch/warmup 10-15 minutes
Squats: 5x5
Bench press 5x5
Deadlifts 5x5
OHP 5x5

Wednesdays:

warmup/stretch 10-15 minutes
Lunges with dumbbells or Split squats 5x5
Pendlay rows 5x5
Pushups 5xamrap
pullups 5xamrap
calf raises 2 or 3 x amrap

Tuesdays/Thursdays - lower weight and will choose 2 or 3 from below, or follow "You are your own gym"
I also have the option of doing nothing as they're technically rest days, which I do use from time to time.

Stretch/warmup as usual
barbell curls 3x8-10
tricep pulldowns 3x8-10
bodyweight squats 3x8-10
Let me ups
trx curls
trx core

I may have left some out here and there, but I hope this helps.

I found this interesting http://beyondfitmom.com/total-body-workouts/