We Answer the Eternal Debate Once & For All...
Which is better, full-body workouts or a split week system?
The Pros and Cons of Full-Body and Split Week Workout Systems
Most people fall on one side of the argument or another, but let's start with what we mean by "full-body" and "split week". A full-body workout is any workout that exercises the whole body during a single routine. A split week workout is a weekly routine that divides days into body part-specific workouts, such as "leg day" and "arm day".
Now that that's cleared up, let's dive into the pros and cons so we can settle this once and for all!
Full Body Workouts
Pros
- you can accomplish a more functional fitness workout since you can utilize compound exercises that work muscle groups together
- makes it easier to fit workouts and rest days into a single week since you can workout the whole body then rest the whole body
Cons
- it can make workouts longer if you prefer isolating exercises such as some weight lifting exercises, since you will have to fit more exercises into a single workout routine to incorporate the entire body
Split Week Workouts
Pros
- for the more advanced person who lifts weights daily, this works out well to provide variety and focus on specific body regions
- with focus being placed on specific areas, as long as you don't skip days, it's easier to ensure no body part will be left out
- you can specifically train weaker areas of the body more heavily to give them the attention they need
Cons
- if you live a more unpredictable or hectic lifestyle where workouts can get skipped from time to time, this style of working out can be hard to maintain effectively
So which is it? Split week or full body?
Turns out, the answer is: it depends. Everyone's fitness goals are going to be different, everyone's lifestyle is going to be different and you need to do what works for you. Take the above pros and cons and weigh them against your own life. Which style seems right for you?  It's important to remember that your workout is yours, so customize it to get the most out of it for YOU! Examples of this might be doing a split week workout, but combining arm and back in one day, legs and abs on another, and so on or a full-body workout that also happens to be cardio too. Whichever you choose, just make sure that it is accomplishing your personal fitness goals. Below is an example of how two exercises Steve does can be utilized in either system.
Done separately these can serve as separate exercises on different days in a split week program, but for a full-body workout system these can certainly be done in the same routine.Â
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