New Workout - Feedback please

[wil]

I posted this in my blog, but it seems like there is more traffic in these regular forums, so I decided to post it here to see if anyone has any comments/suggestions.



It’s been 7 weeks using this split:

1: Chest (8 sets) / Back 8 sets)
2: Legs (11 sets) / Traps (3 sets)
3: Deadlift (5 sets) / Shoulders (8 sets)
4 (optional): Triceps (5 sets) / Biceps (5 sets)


Unfortunately, due to life events and sadly maybe due more to my own slacker-laziness, I only managed 16 workouts during that time (only getting in all of my definite workouts twice and doing the optional arms workout just once).


I decided to change things up a bit. New split:

1: Chest (11 sets) / Biceps (5 sets)
2: Legs (11 sets) / Traps (4 sets)
3: Shoulders (11 sets) / Triceps (5 sets)
4: Deadlift (5x5) / Back (10 sets)

The difference this time around is that I won’t skip workouts. No… I don’t mean that I will miraculously become Mr. Non-Slacker. What I mean is that I will treat my workouts like most folks would a 2-on, 1-off cycle (except that I may sometimes do a 1-on, 4-off cycle) So I’ll start with workout # 1 Chest/Biceps and continue on. If I only get the first two workouts in for the week, the following week must start with # 3 and continue. You see, I tend to enjoy my bench press sessions more than the others, so if I miss legs, or deadlifting, I just sort of brush it off. This new no-skipping policy just might motivate me to complete more of my workouts knowing that I might possibly have to skip benching the following week. I dunno… this might be a good idea… it might be a lame idea… but I’m gonna give it a try.


Any thoughts/comments/suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Later!

[tidalwave]

My initial reaction is that you might find it's easier to do Back/Biceps on the same day and Chest/Triceps on another day. I say this because a lot of back exercises are also pretty bicep intensive (chins, rows) and a lot of chest exercises hit the triceps too (bench). Also, are you throwing in some abs?

Don't take it for gospel, as there may be a good reason to, say, hit the triceps a bit on chest day, then hit them again later in the week when you do back.

[Insex]

I think your new workout routine looks alright. Sometimes, we get bored of our old routines. So a new workout routine might be just enough to reignite the fire in our bellies.

Let us know how this new routine works out for you, and well periodically check in on your blog to keep you from slacking.

[wil]

Originally Posted by tidalwave

My initial reaction is that you might find it's easier to do Back/Biceps on the same day and Chest/Triceps on another day. I say this because a lot of back exercises are also pretty bicep intensive (chins, rows) and a lot of chest exercises hit the triceps too (bench). Also, are you throwing in some abs?

Don't take it for gospel, as there may be a good reason to, say, hit the triceps a bit on chest day, then hit them again later in the week when you do back.

It's been a while since I did biceps with back or triceps with chest since I never felt I got much out of the direct arm sets. When I mix them up, I find I get a better pump in the arms. Go figure.

And yes I do abs on days I do my cardio (mostly stationary bike with occassional jumprope/heavy bag work).