Routine Intimidation

[Keanl]

I'm a bit confused and intimidated by conflicting information and am in need of some motivation and guidance. In one side I'm tld to work out almost my whole body in each visit to the gym, but on the other I'm told to concentrate on a different spot each time. For example arms and chest one day, core the next, then legs the next. I guess what I'm asking for is a specific weekly layout of a routine to better understand and be better motivated and less intimidated about my joureny through all of this. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

[Lakeviewchamp31]

I'm a bit confused and intimidated by conflicting information and am in need of some motivation and guidance. In one side I'm tld to work out almost my whole body in each visit to the gym, but on the other I'm told to concentrate on a different spot each time. For example arms and chest one day, core the next, then legs the next. I guess what I'm asking for is a specific weekly layout of a routine to better understand and be better motivated and less intimidated about my joureny through all of this. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

I think the only reason you should work your whole body every gym visit is if you can only make it to the gym 2-3 times per week. If you can make it to the gym more frequently like 5-6 days per week your split could look like this

Day 1: Back & Biceps
Day 2: Hamstrings & Calves
Day 3: Chest & Triceps
Day 4: Day off
Day 5: Quads
Day 6: Shoulders
Day 7: Repeat cycle

I personally always take a day off before quads because its the most grueling!

[FLChamp]

Conflicting information runs rampant on this forum. Your frustrations are entirely justified.

A training routine should be tailored as best as possible to an individuals goals and needs. This doesn't mean that you should ignore everything, but that you should indeed try everything instead.

Only through much testing does one find a routine that really is a perfect fit for them. Think about getting braces, or getting fitted for a hat/retainer/custom suit/costume, etc. You don't get that when you visit webforums and have so little to work with, and the chance of getting legit information dwindles further because anyone posting here can claim to be an expert.

Typically, however, you will want to train more often and become more proficient in movements as opposed to going into the gym and training a movement one time a week. Powerlifting movements and other multijoint movements with numerous muscle involvement tend to teach trainees how to use their body in a more efficient manner, as opposed to just getting on a few machines and isolating problem areas. For most people who train, the entire body itself is a big problem area. Focusing on specific weak points when you're weak everywhere is silly, which is one reason why training once a week is a bad idea.

What do you think is the better way to learn how to squat: Squatting once a week, or squatting 3-4 times a week? The more often you repeat specific movement patterns, the better you get in the movement, and therefore you can reap the full benefits of the movement while not worrying about minute details. Unless you're a seasoned squatter and know squat technique like the back of your hand, there's really no reason for someone to just squat once a week. Same with your presses, pull-ups, etc.

Specific movement patterns have a strong carryover to those isolation movements that you will focus on later in your training career. Get strong in the movement and you get strong everywhere else. If you can do a pull-up with +100lbs attached, do you really think that you'll struggle with bicep curls, or with lat pulldowns? The guy(s) doing the most exercises and going to the gym the most times out of the week isn't necessarily the smartest, strongest, or healthiest person/group in there. Training often and reasonably adding weight each week is the superior route for most people, regardless of individual differences.

Obligatory "tl;dr": Train often. Add weight.

[XShreddedX]

Conflicting information runs rampant on this forum. Your frustrations are entirely justified.

A training routine should be tailored as best as possible to an individuals goals and needs. This doesn't mean that you should ignore everything, but that you should indeed try everything instead.

Only through much testing does one find a routine that really is a perfect fit for them. Think about getting braces, or getting fitted for a hat/retainer/custom suit/costume, etc. You don't get that when you visit webforums and have so little to work with, and the chance of getting legit information dwindles further because anyone posting here can claim to be an expert.

Typically, however, you will want to train more often and become more proficient in movements as opposed to going into the gym and training a movement one time a week. Powerlifting movements and other multijoint movements with numerous muscle involvement tend to teach trainees how to use their body in a more efficient manner, as opposed to just getting on a few machines and isolating problem areas. For most people who train, the entire body itself is a big problem area. Focusing on specific weak points when you're weak everywhere is silly, which is one reason why training once a week is a bad idea.

What do you think is the better way to learn how to squat: Squatting once a week, or squatting 3-4 times a week? The more often you repeat specific movement patterns, the better you get in the movement, and therefore you can reap the full benefits of the movement while not worrying about minute details. Unless you're a seasoned squatter and know squat technique like the back of your hand, there's really no reason for someone to just squat once a week. Same with your presses, pull-ups, etc.

Specific movement patterns have a strong carryover to those isolation movements that you will focus on later in your training career. Get strong in the movement and you get strong everywhere else. If you can do a pull-up with +100lbs attached, do you really think that you'll struggle with bicep curls, or with lat pulldowns? The guy(s) doing the most exercises and going to the gym the most times out of the week isn't necessarily the smartest, strongest, or healthiest person/group in there. Training often and reasonably adding weight each week is the superior route for most people, regardless of individual differences.

Obligatory "tl;dr": Train often. Add weight.

Mother of god,


It's beautiful

[Black66label]

Conflicting information runs rampant on this forum. Your frustrations are entirely justified.

A training routine should be tailored as best as possible to an individuals goals and needs. This doesn't mean that you should ignore everything, but that you should indeed try everything instead.

Only through much testing does one find a routine that really is a perfect fit for them. Think about getting braces, or getting fitted for a hat/retainer/custom suit/costume, etc. You don't get that when you visit webforums and have so little to work with, and the chance of getting legit information dwindles further because anyone posting here can claim to be an expert.

Typically, however, you will want to train more often and become more proficient in movements as opposed to going into the gym and training a movement one time a week. Powerlifting movements and other multijoint movements with numerous muscle involvement tend to teach trainees how to use their body in a more efficient manner, as opposed to just getting on a few machines and isolating problem areas. For most people who train, the entire body itself is a big problem area. Focusing on specific weak points when you're weak everywhere is silly, which is one reason why training once a week is a bad idea.

What do you think is the better way to learn how to squat: Squatting once a week, or squatting 3-4 times a week? The more often you repeat specific movement patterns, the better you get in the movement, and therefore you can reap the full benefits of the movement while not worrying about minute details. Unless you're a seasoned squatter and know squat technique like the back of your hand, there's really no reason for someone to just squat once a week. Same with your presses, pull-ups, etc.

Specific movement patterns have a strong carryover to those isolation movements that you will focus on later in your training career. Get strong in the movement and you get strong everywhere else. If you can do a pull-up with +100lbs attached, do you really think that you'll struggle with bicep curls, or with lat pulldowns? The guy(s) doing the most exercises and going to the gym the most times out of the week isn't necessarily the smartest, strongest, or healthiest person/group in there. Training often and reasonably adding weight each week is the superior route for most people, regardless of individual differences.

Obligatory "tl;dr": Train often. Add weight.

^^^^^^exactly! Everyone is different and the best routines are creative ones tailored to a individuals preference. Trial and error, if something works stick with it, if something doesnt work then change it.

[Keanl]

Thank you so much for the input guys. So far I am making great progress in the gym as well as at home in the kitchen. My diet is going as strong as ever and Its only my first week in the gym, but I'm already beginning to feel the difference as far as confidence and endurance. Even that 1 or 2 more reps per set really boosts my confidence. I did my second weigh in today and have gotten under 270lbs for the first time in many years. Thank you to everyone who has helped out so far and to those who continue to directly and indirectly motivate me.