CaptainJ said:
Negative, it's not naive to suggest Rippetoe's may be the best program for beginners. The fact that it's a suggestion must suggest that the topic is up for debate, and debate is never naive.
Yes, any routine will work as long as you eat enough. But I want to suggest something simple, effective, tried and tested and advocated by top class strength coaches.
The beginner does not need much stimulation to make their muscles grow, so it's not necessary to concentrate so much on a particular body part. It's only when an athlete gets to more advanced levels where complicated routines and multiple exercises are required to stimulate muscle growth. So keep it simple squatting 3x a week, focussing on compound exercises.
lol complicated? 2 muscle groups a day, 2-3 exercises for smaller body parts and 4-5 for bigger ones (e.g. legs/back) spread across 5 days a week. That's really that confusing?
I would understand if a newbie jumped on a chest/legs/back/shoulders/arms on seperate days sort of routine. only hitting muscle groups once a week.
Hmm most people come into this forum to get stronger/eat better and yes look good nekkid. No? Think most want that last part greatly tho the most lolz. Who knows how to eat the best, train accordingly for a nice balanced physique and go through body composition changes like it's no ones business? Natural bodybuilders/coaches not strength coaches LMAO!! People are fooling themselves...Want to get strong and ultimately look good naked ? Listen to guys like Thibaudeau
http://tnation.tmuscle.com/forum_images/mytphotos//fullSize/d/e/dee6b-256cs13.jpg Want to create the most balanced physique possible and look great naked? Listen to guys like Dr. Clay Hyght.
http://www.tmuscle.com/img/photos/2010/10-034-training/11.jpg
let's see, say for instance I had two twins.
Remember both twins, both same genetics, both using same intensity, eating the same foods, resting the same, always shooting for more reps or weight. No doubt both will gain muscle. Yet who do you think will gain more mass and who do you think will proportionately use those 24+ lbs of mass best?
One decides to do full body workouts 3 times a week. 4-5 exercises each day (some people even do less then this!) . All while eating over maintenance to grow.
There's about 52 weeks in a year. so that mean's fully body twin hits his body/muscles with a frequency of 156 times in a year that's if he has good technique and doesn't have stronger body parts take over significantly (aka muscle imbalances), which is highly unlikely.
benches 156 times a year
so he squats 156 times a year (so plus deadlifts which hit hams/glutes good he hits legs 312 times a year roughly)
does a lat exercise 3 times a week with deadlifts, which also hits back good so we can say 312 times a year he hits his back
let's say for ****s n giggles he does one curl movement and tricep movemnt a 2X a week thats 104 X a year he hit's arms.
His brother decides to start on a 3 way split two days on, one day off. So essentially going 5 days a week also while eating over maintenance daily to grow. While hitting muscles at least twice a week every 7-8 days roughly. With 2-3 various exercises per smaller body parts and 4-5 various exercises for bigger ones like back/legs. So he has around 260 training days a year.
say he does
biceps+forearms=3 exercises
triceps=2 exercises
shoulders=2 exercises
so 7X2 = 14 (14)52 weeks=728 times his arms are getting hit a year with various exercises.
back=4 exercises
8x52= 416 times a year his back gets hit
legs=4 exercises
also 416 times a year
chest=3 exercises about twice a week
6X52 = 312 times he hits chest
So split twin goes 1872 times a year with his whole body getting hit from various angles with money exercises.
full body twin goes hitting his muscles only 884 times through out the year with a limited amount of exercises and that's if he is lucky enough to have good technique and no imbalances/stronger muscles taking over.
Hmmmm I wonder which twin at the end of the year will have a more balanced physique and size/strength.:yes: Remember they're both eating over maintenance and both are doing deadlifts/squats, yet one has more variations of exercises and is in the gym 2 times more a week.
*puts flame suit on*:moon: bring it!!!:trouble: