Selecting The Best Bodybuilding Split Program

By Author: Vince DelMonte
Total Articles: 14
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If you're looking for the "best" bodybuilding split program, let me start by telling you that there's no such thing - you'll have to build your own. Since everybody is a little different, in terms of training age and goals you're not likely to find one that's right for you, without some changes.

If you're looking for the "best" bodybuilding split program, let me start by telling you that there's no such thing - you'll have to build your own. Since everybody is a little different, in terms of training age and goals you're not likely to find one that's right for you, without some changes.

A split program is just a training method that lets you work one major muscle group while resting another. The next day, you work one that's rested and let yesterday's build itself back up. This allows for workouts of increased intensity in less time, while you're focusing on specific muscles. There's also less risk of over-training.

How to select your split program

In order to select the right program, you have to know exactly what your goal is. Are you looking for bulk and definition? Is strength your major target? ...
... Maybe you're looking for more endurance?

Your training age is an important factor. I never recommend split training for anyone that doesn't have at least six months or more of whole-body training. That's because you're not a prime candidate for split training until you've been working out long enough to be hitting plateaus.

Those two - goal and training age - are the heart of your program.

Fine-tune your program to balance the pros and cons

Every program has its pros and cons, but you can make adjustments to take advantage of the pros and cancel the cons. For instance:

When you're selecting your exercises, remember to pay attention to the supporting muscles.
They give you more strength and endurance, as well as definition, so they're important, regardless what your goal is.

Concentrating on your upper body today and your legs tomorrow will give your arms and trunk time to rest and rebuild tomorrow.

Don't do two consecutive days of intense workouts on the same muscles. You'll deplete your glycogen levels, over-fatiguing the muscles.

Though you may think it sounds crazy, I like to work my arms and chest together when they're fresh after a day's rest. Try it - you can get some really great explosive workouts that way.

Don't forget how important it is for your muscles to get a day of rest for rebuilding. Neglect this, and you're wasting your time and energy.

Build flexibility into your program , so you can instantly adjust when you hit a plateau. You'll find that you'll have to do that more often as your training progresses.

Use the pros and cancel the cons

You'll need to analyze all the pros and cons with your program and find ways to make both work for you. For example, when you work your chest, shoulders and arms together, your triceps will be fatigued if you plan on working them the next day. So on your next change-up, just reverse the sequence so you're working your triceps when they're fresh.

Now you'll be hitting the triceps first, followed by the shoulders and finishing with the chest. You can change back to the original sequence on the following change-up, so all the muscles are getting equal treatment.

A good split program saves time and offers flexibility, so you can get value from every minute spent in the gym. By working smarter instead of harder, you'll reach your goal faster, without losing time at a plateau. When you're ready for a bodybuilding split program, give it a try. I think you'll like the results.
Resource: http://vincedelmontefitness.com/