Routine changes? - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

KeithC · 11-14-2002, 01:46 PM

I still consider myself very much a beginner and stick to simple, basic exercises. I just put together two separate workout routines (same "body groupings" but different exercises for each) and then divided each routine into every other day. Right now, I'm doing delts, traps and arms one day (routine "1a"), then chest, back, legs and abs the next (routine "1b").

Man, that did *not* sound as confusing in my head as it looks on the page!

Anyway, I was wondering how long before I should rotate to "2a" and "2b" for best results. Does it vary greatly from person to person or is there a rule of thumb to keep the body on its proverbial toes? Weekly, monthly, semi-annually, what? (FWIW, I'm also doing cardio every day, alternating days between jogging and sprinting.)

Thanks... and hope this makes sense!

Keith C.

[This message has been edited by KeithC (edited 11-14-2002).]

Chelle1977 · 11-14-2002, 03:12 PM

Um, esp. as a beginner I think you want to change your routine up every 4-6 weeks.

Endorphin Junky · 11-15-2002, 03:38 AM

I don't think this is a good split. Delts, Traps and Arms are your 3 smallest muscle groups while Chest, Back and Legs are your 3 biggest and involve more compound movements. I'd switch Traps and Chest around, and maybe split arms in to tris and bis, doing tri's on shoulder/chest day (since these two work your triceps too) and bis on back/leg day (back will work biceps too).
Actually, it's proably not a good idea to do back and legs on the same day either. Ideally, I'd say do legs on a third day since legs alone are 3 muscle groups (quads/hams/calves). The reason I say this is that a good leg workout or back work out alone will take alot out of you, so doing them both together will reduce how well you can work them.

I'd say do:
1) Pecs/Delts/Tris
2) Back/Bis/Traps
3) Legs
You wouldn't need to take a days break between routines since you won't be working the same muscle group for over 48 hours, assuming you do this 2ce a week eg Mon:1, Tue:2, Wed:3, Thurs:1, Fri:2, Sat:3, Sun:rest.

Anyway, didn't mean to confuse the situation, so yes, change your routine every 4-6 weeks.

KeithC · 11-15-2002, 03:35 PM

Thanks for your replies, both of you. EJ, no worries about the extra input. I'm *always* glad to get advice when I'm clueless.