Woodlands Fitness Centre

Sometimes less is more

Monday 7th October 2013

Most of the popular splits undermine progress for average trainees. Just because a certain split works for a genetic phenomenon who may be bolstered by drug support, it doesn't mean that it will also work for natural, genetically average body builders.

Ideally you should train each body part three times every two weeks; that is, once every four or five days per body part. You'll train three nonconsecutive days each week, which will give you four full days of recovery every seven days. The popular split routines usually include more training than non-training days, which is counterproductive for most bodybuilders.

This is abbreviated training, and it's precisely what most body builders need if they want to make good progress. The short workouts will enable you to train hard, with focus. The four full days of recovery each week will give you the chance to recuperate fully.

Then you should be able to add a small amount of weight to the bar on most exercises every week or two. That's a world away from longer, more frequent training, where you don't recuperate fully and you only go through the motions in the gym.

Just clocking up workouts doesn't yield progress. Clocking up progressive workouts is the one thing that will yield strength and muscle. Abbreviated training is the approach of choice because it's more practical and time efficient than conventional or so-called advanced methods that require commitments of greater time and energy. One of the biggest problems in the bodybuilding world is the belief that simple training routines are for beginners only. This is wrong.

Also keep in mind that training provides only the stimulus for growth. What you do outside the gym determines whether the stimulation yields growth. The effective strategy for most bodybuilders is short routines, correct exercise technique and hard work combined with sufficient nutrition and recovery time.

All of that, properly applied, should produce growth in strength and muscle—and it applies to beginners, intermediates and advanced trainees, although the training for specific individuals can vary.

The big bonus is that you need to train only three times a week. You'll have more time for the rest of your life and you'll probably make better progress than ever before.

The requirements of getting results are straightforward, but most bodybuilders think otherwise. Thus they get caught up in complexities and irrelevances. As a result, they fail to make progress.


The Woodlands Fitness Centre Ltd
A: Unit 29, Peak Village Estate, Chatsworth Road, Rowsley, Derbyshire, DE4 2JE
T: (01629) 733 123
E: Woodlandsfitness@yahoo.co.uk
W: www.woodlandsfitnessrowsley.co.uk