For Your Health: Ask BeWell!
The BeWell Tanger Center for Health Management, BIDMC's onsite wellness and exercise resource center, answers your questions in this ongoing column in BIDMCtoday.
BeWell will offer a FREE 2-week pass to any BIDMC staff member whose question is published in this column -- so e-mail your health- or fitness- related question today to the BeWell staff at makenned@bidmc.harvard.edu.
Q. I want to start strength training in a “split routine” format. The problem is I don’t know how to organize my routine. Is there a “right” way to do this?
A. A “split routine” refers to a strength-training program that is organized to work on different muscle groups during different sessions or on different days. There are an infinite number of ways to organize a split routine. The only “right” way is the one that you like, keeps you motivated, and produces results for you. Some people like to work on just one muscle group per day, while others like to pair muscle groups. Here are just a few examples of how to organize a split routine:
- Upper and lower body. You can work your legs in one session and your entire upper body during another session.
- Push and pull. You can split your workout into “pushing exercises” (i.e. chest press, triceps press) and “pulling exercises” (i.e. seated row, bicep curl).
- Complimentary muscle groups. You can couple big and small muscle groups together. Some people like to combine muscle groups that work together (chest and triceps or back and biceps) into one workout.
If you are getting bored or have reached a plateau, consider switching your routine, but always make sure that you enjoy your workout.