Need your opinion

[wheyman]

Okay where to start....

I've been experimenting a lot with different routines tyring to "find what works for my body" and I still haven't found a routine that I can say does that. I need size all over, but I would really like to see my arms get some solid gains. In the process of this research I've found so many opinions that it is confusing and frustrating. I've received advice that states to do more volume, less volume higher intensity, don't do arms, do ches/tri's back/bi's (I don't like this because by the time I get to tri's or bi's they are already too fatigued). Just about everyone says not follow the pro's advice b/c it's is stupid and I don't quite understand that...They are pro's..Do we not listen to pointers given from someone like Barry Bonds, Tom Brady??

I've recently adopted this routine: Monday = chest/shoulders, Wednesday = legs, Friday = Back/Arms

the problem with this routine is that I feel like shoulders are being neglected b/c they are fatigued by the time I'm done with chest.

I've checked my diet and made adjustments so hopefully that will aid in growth, but I just want to find that common denominator in training. Why shouldn't we listen to the pro's advice?

Last question..
If arms are a priority would using the chest/tri back/bi routine work or would you set a whole day aside for arms?

Some people say that you would be getting tri work with chest so you wouldn't need to do that much for them when you start to work them, but that wouldn't be "QUALITY" work would it?

This is my rant for the day people, I'm just frustrated and fed up.

Peace

[BBAddict]

It's hard to give some definite advice, cause like you know already, you have to find what works for your body. That being said, I can tell you what has worked for me and some hopefully logical thoughts on how to put together a schedule/workout routine that works for you.
Personally, I've found that the best routine for me is 5days/wk. When I am bulking, my schedule is
Day 1: Hams/Shoulders Day 2: Bis/forearms, Day 3: Rest, Day 4: Chest/tris, Day 5: Quads/Calves, Day 6: Back/Traps, Day 7: Rest
That way, I keep several days between body parts like shoulders/chest, hams/quads, bis/back cause some lifts for these body parts require both muscles.

My shoulders are a weak point, which is why I do them on a different day than chest and then give them some time before I hit them again.
So, I basically have a whole day just for bis and then do tris with the chest. I definitely can't go as heavy on some lifts doing tris after chest, but I think the pre-exhaustion might actually be good cause then I don't need to put as much stress on my elbows with super-heavy weight. I occassionally will mix it up and do bis/tris so I have just an arm day and then I can go heavier on tris. I also try to end up my chest workout with some sort of fly motion so that my tris have a little time to recover before I focus on isolation movements for the tris.

As far as the pros, we (amateurs) have to realize that they are typically genetically superior and so what works for them may not work for us. You also need to keep in mind that their workout and diet routine is geared (no pun intended) around their supplementation and their insane workouts. Some principals from them should be considered but we can't follow their exact routines, because we are different in many ways than them.

I hear your frustration man and I'm sure we all get that way when it doesn't seem like the gains are there when the effort is, but stay strong and just find a way to bust that plateau. Make sure you're changing up your routine to keep things fresh and to keep your body guessing and eat, eat eat! What's your basic diet look like-are you eating properly for mass cause I know sometimes I'm working out for mass but the cals aren't there for mass building.

I know my reply rambled on, but hopefully something in there helps. Keep asking questions and keep up the work.

[wheyman]

It's hard to give some definite advice, cause like you know already, you have to find what works for your body. That being said, I can tell you what has worked for me and some hopefully logical thoughts on how to put together a schedule/workout routine that works for you.
Personally, I've found that the best routine for me is 5days/wk. When I am bulking, my schedule is
Day 1: Hams/Shoulders Day 2: Bis/forearms, Day 3: Rest, Day 4: Chest/tris, Day 5: Quads/Calves, Day 6: Back/Traps, Day 7: Rest
That way, I keep several days between body parts like shoulders/chest, hams/quads, bis/back cause some lifts for these body parts require both muscles.

My shoulders are a weak point, which is why I do them on a different day than chest and then give them some time before I hit them again.
So, I basically have a whole day just for bis and then do tris with the chest. I definitely can't go as heavy on some lifts doing tris after chest, but I think the pre-exhaustion might actually be good cause then I don't need to put as much stress on my elbows with super-heavy weight. I occassionally will mix it up and do bis/tris so I have just an arm day and then I can go heavier on tris. I also try to end up my chest workout with some sort of fly motion so that my tris have a little time to recover before I focus on isolation movements for the tris.

As far as the pros, we (amateurs) have to realize that they are typically genetically superior and so what works for them may not work for us. You also need to keep in mind that their workout and diet routine is geared (no pun intended) around their supplementation and their insane workouts. Some principals from them should be considered but we can't follow their exact routines, because we are different in many ways than them.

I hear your frustration man and I'm sure we all get that way when it doesn't seem like the gains are there when the effort is, but stay strong and just find a way to bust that plateau. Make sure you're changing up your routine to keep things fresh and to keep your body guessing and eat, eat eat! What's your basic diet look like-are you eating properly for mass cause I know sometimes I'm working out for mass but the cals aren't there for mass building.

I know my reply rambled on, but hopefully something in there helps. Keep asking questions and keep up the work.

NICE POST is all I can say man. I think I was just trying to make it a little more complicated than it should be. Back to basics.

Thanks again
WM

[realconan]

Just about everyone says not follow the pro's advice b/c it's is stupid and I don't quite understand that...They are pro's..Do we not listen to pointers given from someone like Barry Bonds, Tom Brady??



I've checked my diet and made adjustments so hopefully that will aid in growth, but I just want to find that common denominator in training. Why shouldn't we listen to the pro's advice?

Keep in mind too that guys like Barry Bonds and Tom Brady are training for a very specific outcome. These guys are professional ball players, not bodybuilders. Their routines and diets are designed specifically for their respective sport. I wouldn't say to completely ignore them because, like you said, they are professionals, but their advice is going to have a very limited application to body building. When it comes to pro bodybuilders, yeah, they're freaks. Their genetics are ridiculous, true, but they're fanatics when it comes to their routine and diet. Just about any of them will tell you that consistency is the most important thing. Yeah, change up your routine, but not so much that you sacrifice consistency. Find something that you like and stick with it. Don't skip workouts and don't cheat on your diet...ever!!! You have to put in your dues, man. There's no way around that.