Fullbody vs Split routines.

[glwanabe]

Great post Steve.

I'd also add that a lot of people don't really understand how to do a fullbody workout. They have spent their lifting time on splits, and try to apply that format to a fullbody plan.

Properly getting into a fullbody program takes a little bit of time. You don't just start doing it, and bam your in it. It takes a few months for body conditioning to occur. Most people quit the fullbody format just when their body is adapting to the workload, and they are ready to seriously begin some muscle building.

[Trevor Ross]

Originally Posted by glwanabe

I would be interested in finding out a little more about your time spent with a fullbody program.

Sure, I did this for 4 months.

A: 5x5

Squat
Bench Press
Power clean
Overhead press
BB row
Laying ext.
BB curl

B: 5x5

Front squat
Incline Bench Press
Deadlift
DB overhead press
Pull up
JM press
Close grip curl

A/B/A
B/A/B

Lost fat, got strong, and it my upper back thickened up big time.
For fat loss and gaining raw strength Fullbody gets two thumbs up.
I took no supplements while on this program.

[Trevor Ross]

Now remember I endorse two way splits, not this muscle pumping working a muscle once per week garbage.

[Trevor Ross]

I did an Upper/Lower split for a long time, and I liked that style of training. Push/Pull is where it's at though (for my goals) and I find it to be a logical set up. For the record I am not bashing Fullbody routines, so retract your claws!

[glwanabe]

Originally Posted by Trevor Ross

Sure, I did this for 4 months.

A: 5x5

Squat
Bench Press
Power clean
Overhead press
BB row
Laying ext.
BB curl

B: 5x5

Front squat
Incline Bench Press
Deadlift
DB overhead press
Pull up
JM press
Close grip curl

A/B/A
B/A/B

Lost fat, got strong, and it my upper back thickened up big time.
For fat loss and gaining raw strength Fullbody gets two thumbs up.

4 months is just barely giving your body time to get out of the adaption phase for fullbody work. Couple that with the 5x5 format which is a great strength and power scheme, but it will also build size if it is given time to work. 1 year is a good time frame to commit too. Give a 5x5 a year, and you will be amazed at how much muscle you pack on your frame.

A lot of people get into a "fullbody" 5x5 for a short cycle. They see some good strength gains, and move back to their split. Your experience is fairly typical. I completely understand your position and why you hold the belief that you do.

Originally Posted by Trevor Ross

Now remember I endorse two way splits, not this muscle pumping working a muscle once per week garbage.

The differance between an A/B split, a 2 way split, or a fullbody can be very little or a lot depending on how you work your sets and reps.

This is a far deeper subject than most people spend the time to figure out properly.

Fullbody workouts are more complex than splits, and require a greater understanding of the process.

[glwanabe]

Originally Posted by Trevor Ross

I did an Upper/Lower split for a long time, and I liked that style of training.

Liking what you do, is an important point.


Push/Pull is where it's at though (for my goals) and I find it to be a logical set up.

Upper lower, push pull are both great programs to work. I'm not saying that they aren't.


For the record I am not bashing Fullbody routines, so retract your claws!

My claws are not out!

I'm just having a conversation, about programming.

You said it yourself, this topic can be cause for debate and arguement. Most peole call split training the modern way of training. Split training is not new at all. It has been around since the 1950's.

[BigFiveFive]

Originally Posted by Trevor Ross

not this muscle pumping working a muscle once per week garbage.

Got my best gains from this "garbage"

STS program, all isolation.

[Trevor Ross]

Originally Posted by BigFiveFive

Got my best gains from this "garbage"

STS program, all isolation.

Now, I'm sorry if I offended you, but at the end of the day I still stand firm on my thoughts on those kind of programs. I've done them and all I got was a bigger chest and arms (like most of the lifters that do those programs, that wasn't a cheap shot just anecdotal evidence), but if you meet your own expectations it's all good at the end of the day, I guess.

[Trevor Ross]

Originally Posted by glwanabe

My claws are not out!

I'm just having a conversation, about programming.

You said it yourself, this topic can be cause for debate and arguement. Most peole call split training the modern way of training. Split training is not new at all. It has been around since the 1950's.

Paul Anderson was an Upper/Lower guy as far as I know. Don't take me too seriously, it seems the way I phrase things when I type touches the wrong nerve for some reason. Maybe I need an e-etiquette lesson.

[glwanabe]

Originally Posted by Trevor Ross

Paul Anderson was an Upper/Lower guy as far as I know. Don't take me too seriously, it seems the way I phrase things when I type touches the wrong nerve for some reason. Maybe I need an e-etiquette lesson.

Trevor,

It's all good man. I wasn't offended by anything that you wrote.