How much is just right?

[sdt19]

I'm trying to start to put together a routine for myself starting in March when hockey season is over with. I know it's really early but i figured it's never too early to be thinking about it. Of course im still working out now but nothing too serious because of the season. I just am not sure whether working each muscle group once a week or twice a week is ideal?

[artic]

As a new guy my self,,,I highly suggest reading all stickys,,,then decide for your self,,I read the stickys and made a full body routine,,
1.Full body weights,2 sets,,10 reps ,each work out add weights,,always beat your time on running,,,,2 miles running,,balls to the wall
2.Run 4 miles,,medium intensity
repeat for 4 weeks,,,
then rest 1 week,,,
then right back at it,,,
check out threads on HST,,
I was doing a split routine with good results,(chest, back, legs),,but I always felt like I could do more,,,once i went to full body routine,,,results are amazing,,,,but I understand for the first 6 months as a newb,,everything is going to improve,,the problem comes when you reach a plateau,,,

[Ozzi]

I suggest reading the stickies. Creating a program depends on many things, particulary recovery time which is the most important consideration of hypertrophy training. As a general rule of thumb 48 hours should be sufficient to work that muscle again but everyone's different.

You could probaly Google a good beginner's program rather than writing one yourself.

[Dr X]

First thing you need to figure out is what goal you want to achieve and this will help you determine your routine.

[sdt19]

My goal is to be lean and muscular. I want to have a "ripped" look. The whole V-taper body, 6 pack abs, and softballs for biceps. haha I didn't realize how rediculous that sounds until after i just read it over. But it's the only way i could think of how to explain it. I'm also going to be in the ROTC in college next year. So running is going to be essential.

[Darkhorse]

I want to have a "ripped" look. The whole V-taper body, 6 pack abs, and softballs for biceps. haha I didn't realize how rediculous that sounds until after i just read it over.

If that's the case, then you can do ANY program so long as you maintain strength, which is critical. Some people like splits while cutting, some upper/lower, others full body's. So whatever you choose, it has to mainly feature compounds to keep and perhaps add some strength.

[sdt19]

when you say, ANY routine would work. There's about 10million differant routines out there. Is there any one or two you could recommend 0311 or any certain rep range in workouts that would be best?

[hrdgain81]

Since your involved, or going to be involved with some high endurance activities. I would suggest going with something like a 5x5 program. This way you are slowly increasing your strength on the big 3, and its leaving you ample time durring the week to run.

The biggest thing is going to be your diet, if you lift hard, run hard, and eat less then you should, your body will return the favor, and your goals will go unrealized.

I wouldnt worry to much about the v taper, or six pack abs, right now. If you focus on cutting bodyfat, it will be increasingly hard to up your strength and endurance. besides, if you get bigger, the v taper will come with time, the six pack eh not so much.

[ONDraft]

This is irrelevant... but where do you play hockey at

[sdt19]

just out of curiositiy...how is the Max-OT program? i was just reading up on it, sounds pretty legitamate. But i just feel like only doing 3-6 reps per exercise I'll be losing muscle endurance.

One other thing was Is it true that 1-3 reps is for strength and say 10-15 reps is for size? If that's the case size isn't really something I want. I mean I want a certain amount of size but I don't want to be big and bulky, I want a leaner cut look.