Am I overdoing it?

SnatchJP

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Okay, I'm 18 years old, started out skinny (6'0", 155 lbs) and have been doing my own workout routine for a couple months now. I'm starting to wonder a bit if I'm overtraining, I feel fine, and I am seeing some improvement, but I'm curious to see what you think of the routine. I usually work out around 5 days a week, the workout alternating between two routines each day I lift.

Here's the basic setup:

Day A: Biceps, Back (inluding posterior delts)

10 sets Lats
9 sets Romboids and post delts
5 sets Bis
3 sets Abs (lighter weight, 15-25 reps or crunches)

Day B: Tris, Chest, Shoulders

10 sets chest
10 sets delts
5 sets tris
3 sets Abs (lighter weight, 15-25 reps or crunches)

So I'll do 2-3 Day As and Day Bs a week (I alternate it depending on what I worked last week).

I do my sets in groups of two or three ("Trisets" and "bisets" if you will.) The first set I set the weight to the 8-12 rep range. If I can do 12, I bump up the weight for the next set. After that, the weight is either fixed or goes up for the rest of the routine, depending on how I do. (Unless I suddenly can't do even 4 reps with good form, then I lower it and complete the set)

After each tri or biset, I switch to a different muscle group.

I've been trying to work in legs a bit lately, but haven't been sure how many sets I should do. Also I'm not sure If I'm doing the right thing working Abs every day I lift. Any thoughts on all this?
 

Nocturnal

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A few things to note:

1) That is probably too many sets (depending on the weight), and if you're lifting light, you need to do fewer sets and more weight. You shouldn't be in the gym for more than an hour and a half. 10 sets just for lats? Lats are affected by other exercises quite a bit, so you don't need to hit them quite that hard.

2) Your lower back is being neglected.

3) Your legs are being VERY neglected.

4) 2 of the most important exercises are for legs and back, squats and deadlifts. Without them you will see minimal results.

5) What is your diet like?

Originally posted by SnatchJP
I've been trying to work in legs a bit lately, but haven't been sure how many sets I should do.
You definitely need to work in legs. That should be your number one priority in adjusting your workout. Personally, I like to look for credible workouts and then modify them to my tastes after trying them in the gym. I'm trying this one: http://www.wannabebig.com/article.php?articleid=25&pageid=3, and after doing it for only two days I'm very pleased with feeling that I hit every muscle group I wanted to.
 

stalluproar

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You will overwork your muscles if you do the same routine every time. On chest and bicepts, try to find a weight you can do 4-5 times. Do 4-6 sets until you total 20 reps. Then on another day, do three sets of 10. Then 8-8-6-4. Then do a day of circuit training. The moral of the story is keep the muscles guessing.
 
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