Am I overtraining my triceps?

[hunter0704]

I've read online that it's good to do 18 sets per triceps workout, at most. I usually do around 22-25 (4 to 5 exercises and aim for 5 sets each), but if I like how an exercise is feeling I will do some extra sets. I don't feel like I am overtraining because I'm noticing some growth and strength gains, but since I read that 18 sets is good I just became skeptical..

My split is: Arm Day, Legs, Chest & Back, rest, shoulders (i train calves 5-6 days a week)

i just recently started using this split and i have noticed a lot of strength gains and some growth, especially in my calves. To get to the point, am I overtraining my tri's or not?

[ryyanwilson]

You're joking that you saw it's good to do that many sets for JUST your triceps. I do 6 sets of triceps a workout. If you are doing a pure arm day, I wouldn't do more than 12 sets for triceps. However, I believe doing chest and shoulders also really work your triceps and you can see good results from hitting chest hard, doing a few sets of shoulders, and a few sets of triceps. If you are doing to do a split routine like that, don't start out with arms, start with legs, chest, or back, and don't combine chest and back, they are big muscle groups compared to say your shoulders which have a separate day in your routine.

[chazzy1864]

If it works for you, keep it up.

Also, you can't overtrain a single muscle group. Overtraining is a state of being that your body will enter into after you've exceeded your ability to recover - via caloric intake & rest - for an extended period of time.

[Partyrocking]

Unless you have chronic inflammation in your triceps, you're not overtraining them. 18 sets for triceps sounds excessive for most everybody. I personally would prefer fewer sets with a heavier weight, but if you like it, then go crazy.

[DermaBottle]

My experience is that people respond very differently to exercise. For some people it works with many set, while for others not so<much. You just have to try and fail, and find out what suits you

[Tommy W.]

Triceps are pretty hard to overtrain. I do think you're using more volume than you need to though. They get hit hard with benching and other things also. I'd cut back some and see if the growth pattern is the same. If so then you can devote more time to other muscle groups. Remember more isn't always better.

Everything you do in the gym has a cost and not necessarily a benefit

[canada99]

well that wouldnt work for most people but if its working for you and thats what you like to do then stick with it if you want, probably unnecessary though. 18 or 22-25 direct sets of triceps is more then a lot of people do in a month. add in any chest or shoulder pushing movements you do and your tris are getting a lot of work.

but no you are not over training, you will know when you are over training.

[hunter0704]

I'll cut back a little since they do get worked a lot with shoulders and chest.. Appreciate it guys!