The science of building muscle Part 3: Split-routines
The Science Of Building Muscle Part 3: Split-Routines
Split-Routines
(Click on Nutritional Terms and Reference Numbers in Blue for More Info)
As we saw in Part 2 of this series, if you’re new to resistance training you can increase your muscle mass by performing a low volume programme comprising just 1-3 sets of one exercise per body part, but high-volume programmes involving multiple-sets and multiple exercises are needed to optimise gains (1,2). To achieve such a high volume of training you will need to perform a split-routine, i.e., train different muscle groups on different days. This requires careful planning to ensure even development and to reduce the risk of overtraining and injury.
Developing A Split-Routine
A split-routine simply involves grouping exercises together that target specific body parts, such as upper body and lower body, or certain muscle groups (such as chest, back, arms and legs) and training them on different days. This allows the muscles to perform a greater volume of work thereby receiving a greater training stimulus while allowing sufficient recovery between training sessions.
It is important to note that there is an increased risk of over-training associated with this type of programme due to the volume and intensity of work that can be achieved in each session. Also, you should ensure that you don’t perform a disproportionate amount of work for or neglect any particular body-part or muscle group, as this can lead to asymmetrical development and an increased risk of injury.
Here are some examples of commonly used split-routines.
*2 Day Split-Routine
Monday and Thursday: Back, Biceps and Legs
Tuesdays and Fridays: Chest, Shoulders and Triceps
*3 Day Split-Routine
Monday: Chest, Shoulders and Triceps
Wednesday: Legs
Friday: Back and Biceps
5 Day Split-Routine
Monday: Chest
Tuesday: Legs
Thursday: Back
Friday: Shoulders
Saturday: Arms
Taken from Clarke and Corn (3)
* Typically, each workout is repeated twice in a week allowing one recovery day between sessions for the same muscle groups or body part.
Here are a couple examples of the types of split-routines used by elite bodybuilders.
7 Time Mr Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger
Day 1: Chest and Back
Day 2: Shoulders and Arms
Day 3: Legs and Lower Back
Day 4: Chest and Back
Day 5: Shoulders and Arms
Day 6: Legs and Lower Back
Day 7: Rest
8 Time Olympia Winner Ronnie Coleman
Day 1: Back, Biceps and Shoulders
Day 2: Legs
Day 3: Chest and Triceps
Day 4: Back, Biceps and Shoulders
Day 5: Legs
Day 6: Chest, Triceps and Calves
Day 7: Rest
Example Workouts
Once you have decided on the type of split routine you are going to employ, you can begin to design each workout.
Here is an example of the typical workouts performed in basic 2 day (push-pull) split routine.
Monday and Thursday (Pushing Exercises)
Exercise – Sets – Reps
Bench Press 3 x 6-12
Incline Dumbbell Press 3 x 6-12
Dumbell Flyes 3 x 8-12
Dumbell Lateral Raises 3 x 8-12
Shoulder Press 3 x 6-12
Bent-Over Bumbbell Lateral Raises 3 x 8-12
Triceps Pushdowns 3 x 8-12
Dips 3 x 6-12
Abdominal Curls 3 x 8-20
Cable Rotations 3 x 8-20
Back Extensions 3 x 8-20
Tuesday and Friday (Pulling Exercises)
Exercise – Sets – Reps
Squats 4 x 6-12
Leg Extensions 3 x 8-12
Hamstring Curls 3 x 8-12
Straight-Arm Cable Pull-Downs 3 x 8-12
Pull-Ups 4 x 6-12
Bent-Over Row 3 x 6-12
Barbell Shrugs 3 x 8-12
Barbell Bicep Curls 3 x 8-12
Incline Dumbbell Bicep Curls 3 x 8-12
Standing Calf Raises 3 x 8-20
Seated Calf Raises 3 x 8-20
Here are a some of examples of the type of workouts an elite bodybuilder would perform.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Chest And Back Workout
Exercise – Sets – Reps
Bench Press 3-4 x 10
Incline Bench Press 3-4 x 10
Dumbell Pullovers 3-4 x 10
Chins 3-4 x 10
Bent-Over Row 3-4 x 10
Deadlift 3-4 x 10
Crunches 5 x 25
Ronnie Coleman’s Back And Tricep’s Workout
Exercise – Sets – Reps
Pendlay Row 3 x 15
T-Bar Row 3 x 15
Dumbbell Row 3 x 15
Lat Pull-Down 3 x 15
Tricep Dips 3 x 20
Triceps Extension 3 x 20
When Should I Progress To A Split Routine?
Although there appears to be no strict rules regarding when an individual should progress to a split routine, it is advisable that you have at least 6 months experience of consistent resistance training before attempting such a programme because of the potential for over-training (2).
The decision to use a 2, 3, or 5 day split routine will depend on your level of experience, ability to recover, training goals and time availability.
If you have been performing a whole-body programme 2- 3 days per week consistently for 6 months, the next step would be to increase training frequency from 3 to 4 days per week using a two-day split routine (2). Each muscle group would be trained twice per week over 4 days allowing 3 days of recovery.
After a period of at least a year’s consistent training, you may wish to further increase the volume of training for each muscle group necessitating an increase in your training frequency to 5-6 days per weeks using a 3- day split routine with each muscle group being trained twice over 6 days (2). However, this will allow just one recovery day.
Typically, each most group is trained twice per week but some bodybuilders may use something like a 5-day split routine but only train each muscle group once per week.
There is a degree of trial and error associated with developing a split routine, as you need to ensure that you provide sufficient training stimulus to maximise muscle growth while allowing sufficient recovery. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor your performance and progress.
It is important to note that athletes taking performance enhancing drugs are able to tolerate much higher volumes of training than natural athletes and recover more quickly.
In Part 4 of this series we will look at the use of periodisation to add variety to your training programme.