Is There a Right Way to Feel the Burn?
While the virtues of exercise are well established, the debate over the superiority of full-body workouts versus workouts targeting and exhausting specific muscle groups rages on.
The average American spends about nine of their waking hours sitting, a trend that has been linked to an increased risk of dementia, obesity, heart disease, and even premature death. A mere 22 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day has the potential to lower the risk of adverse health effects of being sedentary. Even exercising for as little as four minutes can greatly reduce a person’s cancer risk — and just two minutes of vigorous exertion can decrease the risk of early death by 18%.
What’s the best way to spend your time exercising? Stephen Ranellone, an exercise physiologist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, weighs in on the pros and cons of split workouts, focusing on specific muscle groups on different days, and full-body burns to Well+Good.
### Split Workouts
Split workouts often require a shorter recovery window. If you have the time and your goal is to build muscle, a split routine may be the way to go. A 2023 study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that resistance training strengthens muscles throughout the body and boosts the brain.
One advantage of focusing on one muscle group per workout is that it allows for a higher volume of sets and reps, which is beneficial for hypertrophy and strength development. You can spend more time targeting the muscle from different angles, enhancing your ability to challenge and stimulate it effectively.
Recovery time is also reduced after a split workout as only one muscle group is fatigued, hence the practice of following leg day with upper body-focused exercises. However, the repetitive nature of split workouts can be dull, and several sessions throughout the week are required to activate and exhaust all muscle groups in a split workout routine. Moreover, the repetitive nature of split workouts can be as dull as a dumbbell, and without proper planning, you run the risk of overworking certain muscle groups while overlooking others.
### Full-Body Burn
Train several muscle groups in a single full-body session. Full-body workouts get top marks for efficiency and efficacy — maximum bang for your burn, if you will.
Full-body workouts allow you to train multiple muscle groups in a single session, often using compound movements that engage several muscles simultaneously. This can be very efficient, especially if you can only work out one or two times a week. These sessions can also increase caloric expenditure, which is beneficial for fat loss and improving conditioning. Whole-body workouts also challenge the mind, as the exercises are more diverse. Additionally, they may be safer for those with injuries or mobility issues since they are less taxing on specific regions.
### Verdict?
Ultimately, what matters is that you’re moving. Full-body and split-workout programs offer myriad benefits for the body. Full-body sessions are a better bet for beginners and those with a smaller workout window. For gym veterans with specific muscle-building goals, the road to gains may be paved with split sessions. The best course of all? A mix of both with ample time for recovery built in.
### FAQs
Q: What are the benefits of full-body workouts?
A: Full-body workouts increase caloric expenditure, improve conditioning, and challenge the mind with diverse exercises.
Q: What are the benefits of split workouts?
A: Split workouts allow for a higher volume of sets and reps, which is beneficial for hypertrophy and strength development, and can be beneficial for building muscle.
Q: What is the best workout routine for beginners?
A: For beginners, full-body workouts may be a better bet, as they are efficient and effective, and can be adapted to a smaller workout window.
Q: Can I do a mix of both full-body and split workouts?
A: Yes, a mix of both full-body and split workouts can be beneficial, allowing for a balance between efficiency and targeting specific muscle groups.
Q: What is the best workout routine for gym veterans?
A: For gym veterans with specific muscle-building goals, split workouts may be a better bet, allowing for a higher volume of sets and reps and targeting specific muscle groups.
