Full Body or Split Up

[brian26]

Which do you prefer and think is better: splitting your body into parts and only working those parts every few days or full body workouts 5 days a week

[BigStew]

Both are great. I like to start beginners on the full body then then move them back and forth between the two so the body cant adapt to the any one kind of program

[Kiknskreem]

If you are an athlete full body hands down.
Full body routines that consist mainly of the big compounds are best for several reasons. The body works and grows best as a system, and full body training will provide the most carryover to other athletic endeavors. The big movements involve balance, have the greatest potential for strength and hypertrophy, and provide superior hormonal disruption. Pretty much all athletic movements involve exerting a force against the ground and transferring that force from your legs up through your upper body. Rarely in a sport will you stand still and find the need to arc your arms out to the side parallel to the ground.... or push down with your elbows stationary extending your arms. Outside of the bodybuilding world splits are virtually unheard of.
As well, almost without exception, beginners should all be trained on full body, for all of the above reasons.

This is not to say splits are worthless, but until you have a solid foundation of strength and size, and are able to coordinate all the major muscle groups together, best results will be gotten by training in a full body style. Splits also tend to have much more isolation work, work that is not necessary or desireable for a novice. Fluff work is not an inherent property of splits, just the way most turn out.

As for frequency that is a more individual issue and depends on both the trainee and specific parameters of the program.