Working complementary muscle groups: on the same day or on different days

[johnquast]

Hey guys, total newb here (at least to the forums). I've been training for about 10 months and have seen some solid gains.

My question is this - the general format of my workout routines has been to work complimentary muscle groups (say, chest and back or biceps and triceps) on the same day. So for example a chest/back day would look like this:

Bench - 3x6
High Row - 3x8
Incline D Bell Press - 3x8
Low Row - 3x8
Military Press - 3x8
working to failure or near failure on the last set.

An arm day might look like this:
Barbell curls - 3x8
Overhead Tri-extentions - 3x8
Preacher Curls - 3x8
Tri-Press Downs - 3x8
Hammer Curls - 3x8

So my question is - I see a lot of workout programs in M&F or Men's Fitness that have the muscle groups split up - Chest and Biceps one day, Back and Quads another, Tris and Calves another.

What have some experienced guys seen in terms of the pros and cons of splitting those complimentary muscle groups vs. doing them on the same day? Am I missing out on gains by keeping them together or does it not matter so much?

Any feedback appreciated, I apologize if I missed something in searching, I didn't find a thread that addressed this question.

[saiyanj1n]

if you're asking these kinds of questions, you dont need to worry about it. you're at a point where it doesnt matter. just lift the weights.

[johnquast]

if you're asking these kinds of questions, you dont need to worry about it. you're at a point where it doesnt matter. just lift the weights.

I get what you are saying, but I'm trying to make the most of my time in the gym. I realize I'm not nearly at the level of most of you guys on here.

Am I better off asking questions like this in a different forum with less hardcore lifters, if so can you point me in the right direction?

[johnquast]

Thanks for all the help. I'll try a different site/forum.

[awhetstone]

Hey guys, total newb here (at least to the forums). I've been training for about 10 months and have seen some solid gains.

So my question is - I see a lot of workout programs in M&F or Men's Fitness that have the muscle groups split up - Chest and Biceps one day, Back and Quads another, Tris and Calves another.

What have some experienced guys seen in terms of the pros and cons of splitting those complimentary muscle groups vs. doing them on the same day? Am I missing out on gains by keeping them together or does it not matter so much?

Any feedback appreciated, I apologize if I missed something in searching, I didn't find a thread that addressed this question.

It's just a matter of WHERE you want to put your energy. Though it is always good to focus on ONE major muscle group per workout, and give it all you got, you should see results. There are pros and cons to both. *Sorry for such a bonehead reply (^the guy above^), that was a very brawn over brain reply. There are pro's on this site that will give you great advice, I promise.
Im not a pro, I am studying personal training and am a nutrition major. Plus I am a nerd and the time I am not in the gym I am studying.
Hope this helps.
.gainingweight.info/should-you-train-opposite-or-complementary-muscle-groups-together/

[screwedgenetics]

3 day splits, upper/lower, fullbody... all will work if you are consistent. Which one works best is an argument that may never end. The w/o that will give you the best gains or fastest gains is still going to require alot of time so choose a quality routine that you enjoy, and just keep doing it.

Here are some really helpful links from this site for new lifters. Just reading the first 2-3 pages will teach you alot. They helped me

GST
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=121353501
SS
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=131379243
Allpro
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=4195843
How to deadlift
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=112127931
How to squat
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=132962543
How to eat
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=121703981

GL man