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What's the best split for building muscle?

Author

Sarah Oconnell

Published Mar 18, 2026

What's the best split for building muscle?

The push/pull/legs split is probably the most efficient workout split there is because all related muscle groups are trained together in the same workout. This means that you get the maximum overlap of movements within the same workout, and the muscle groups being trained get an overall benefit from this overlap.

Also to know is, which workout split is best for muscle gain?

The push/pull/legs split is probably the most efficient workout split there is because all related muscle groups are trained together in the same workout. This means that you get the maximum overlap of movements within the same workout, and the muscle groups being trained get an overall benefit from this overlap.

Beside above, what split do bodybuilders use? 1 – The Body Part Split

Body part splits are your typical "bodybuilder" split. In most cases, lifters attack each muscle group throughout the week in 5 or 6 training sessions.

Subsequently, one may also ask, what is the best 6 day workout split?

The Six-Day Split

Monday: Legs.
Tuesday: Chest and Arms.
Wednesday: Back and Shoulders.
Thursday: Legs.
Friday: Chest and Arms.
Saturday: Back and Shoulders.
Sunday: Off.

What is the best split for hypertrophy?

If you're training four times per week, an upper-body, lower-body split like this is best:

Monday: Upper Body.
Tuesday: Lower Body.
Thursday: Upper Body.
Friday or Saturday: Lower Body.

Can you build muscle on a 4 day Split?

Building Muscle with the 4-day split

Since this full-body 4-day split is mostly comprised of heavy compound exercises, you'll need sufficient rest in between workouts to return to efficient training strength. That's why you have 3 days off each week. The 4-day split workout doesn't work without the rest and recovery.

How do I gain muscle twice a week?

The trick is to split the volume up over the week, not double it. For example, if you normally do six exercises for chest on Monday - do three on Monday, three on Thursday. The amount of work you end up doing is the same; you are just hitting the muscle twice in the same week.

Is a 3 day split enough to build muscle?

3-day splits are better for bulking because it can quickly add mass with a strict workout and a proper diet. One reason why it would not be good for cutting is because in cutting you are shedding fat, normally by doing cardiovascular exercises.

How can I bulk up muscle fast?

Eight tips to help you build muscle mass

Eat Breakfast to help build Muscle Mass.
Eat every three hours.
Eat Protein with Each Meal to Boost Your Muscle Mass.
Eat fruit and vegetables with each meal.
Eat carbs only after your workout.
Eat healthy fats.
Drink water to help you build Muscle Mass.
Eat Whole Foods 90% of The Time.

Can you train abs everyday?

2. Train your abs every single day. Just like any other muscle, your abs need a break too! That doesn't mean you can't activate your ab muscles during your warm-up with exercises like Planks, Inchworms, and other balance and stabilization exercises, but you shouldn't train them every day.

Can you get big in 2 months?

A lot of people spend years training hard in the gym without any real results but if you follow a well-structured programme and nutrition plan, you can expect to get an impressively ripped physique in as little as two months.

What muscles can I workout everyday?

5 Muscles You Can Train Every Day

Calves. Calves are one of the most stubborn muscles and can be the weakest link for many people's physiques.
Forearms. The forearms are one of the most overlooked muscles and only a few people include them in their workout programs.
Neck. Let's be honest here, how often do you train your neck?
Abs.
Band Work.

What is the best 5 day workout split?

The Most Popular 5 Day Splits

Day 1: Legs/Abs.
Day 2: Chest.
Day 3: Back/Abs*
Day 4: Rest.
Day 5: Shoulder/Abs*
Day 6: Arms.
Day 7: Rest.

What is the best split workout?

5 of the Best Workout Splits

Monday: Upper Body (Push Focus)
Tuesday: Lower Body (Squat Focus)
Wednesday: Off /Active Recovery.
Thursday: Upper Body (Pull Focus)
Friday: Lower Body (Hamstring and Glute Focus)
Saturday/Sunday: Off.

What is the best 7 day workout split?

7 Day Split Workout Example 4

Push Day 1 and 4. All are 4 sets, 6 reps. Barbell bench press. Incline dumbbell press.
Pull Day 2 and 5. Pull-ups. Pendlay row.
Legs Day 3 and 6. Barbell squats (3 sets, 6 reps) Leg press (3 sets, 6 reps)
Cardio and Abs Day 7. 20 minutes of HIIT or Tabata. Hanging leg raises (4 sets, 10 reps)

Is it OK to go to the gym 6 days a week?

… go the gym five to six days per week.

You don't have to spend all your time on cardio machines or in aerobics class to lose weight. Dedicating two or three days to resistance training will tone and strengthen your muscles while burning calories. Focus on aerobic exercise the other three to four days.

Is a six day split too much?

There's nothing wrong with a 6 day split, but I recommend trying to group more muscle groups in one day and increase the frequency throughout the week, so you can target certain muscle groups more than one time a week.

Are 4 day splits effective?

According to BodyBuilding.com, a 4 day split is better than a 3 day split when it comes to targeting individual muscle groups and achieving an optimal balance in a specific part of the body. This one shows you're getting serious about building muscle.

Which muscles not to train together?

Muscles you should train together

01/7Avoid making this mistake! The most common fitness mistake gym-goers make is of training all the muscle groups together.
02/7Why you should not work on all muscle groups together.
03/7Abdominal and back.
04/7Chest, shoulders, and arms.
05/7Biceps and back.
06/7Arms, legs, and glutes.
07/7The bottom line.

Is a 5 day split effective?

The 5-day workout split is possibly the most effective strength training routine you could put your body through. This gives your body more time to recover, allowing you to build muscle faster, without getting fatigued or injured. For example, on Monday, you could target your chest, Tuesday, your arms, and so on.

How many days a week should I workout a muscle group?

If you want the most gains, you should train each muscle group twice a week, according to a new review in the journal Sports Medicine. Scientists analyzed 10 prior studies that compared muscle growth in people who trained each muscle group once, twice, or three times per week over a couple months.

How do I split my weight training days?

Divide your weekly workout into a three-day split where you divide upper body work into a push/pull routine over two days and work your lower body on a separate day. A typical three-day split would include chest and triceps work on Day 1, back and biceps on Day 2, and legs and shoulders on Day 3.

Is Upper Lower Split good?

The Upper/Lower Split Maximizes Hypertrophy. Accumulating research suggests that training muscle groups more than once per week is important for maximizing gains in muscle mass. This is best explained by the fact that splitting lower- and upper-body sessions allows for more training.

Should I train full body or split?

Full-body workouts work best for most people

There are a few reasons for this, but the main reason most people should do full-body workouts over split workouts is time. Full-body workouts generally yield a higher total energy expenditure per session (i.e., you burn more calories).

What is the best 4 day workout split?

How to Build Muscle: 4 Day Split Program

Day 1 – Back and Biceps.
Day 2 – Chest and Triceps.
Day 3 – OFF.
Day 4 – Quads, Hamstrings and Calves.
Day 5 – Shoulders, Traps and Forearms.
Day 6 – OFF.
Day 7 – OFF.

Can you build muscle on a bro split?

An average beginner or novice using a bro split will likely not build muscle at the same rate as they would on a higher frequency routine, but they'll still make impressive gains regardless.

How often should I train abs?

Train the abs like a muscle

“They'll go in and do 200 reps of an abs exercise every day and then wonder why they get a hernia.” To build your abs, do ten to 15 reps and increase the intensity by adding more sets. Leave one day in between abs sessions to allow the muscles to recover.

What is the best 2 day workout split?

Here are the two day workout splits.

2 Day Workout Split Using the Full Body Routine. Day 1. Major Lower Body Exercise, 3 sets of 6-12 reps.
2 Day Workout Split Using the Upper/Lower Routine. Day 1. Major Upper Body Exercise, 3 sets of 6-12 reps.
2 Day Split Workout Using the Push/Pull Routine. Day 1.

How many reps should I do to build muscle?

Choose Your Reps and Sets

Your decision should be based on your goals. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 4 to 6 repetitions with heavier weight for hypertrophy (increased muscle size), 8 to 12 repetitions for muscular strength and 10 to 15 reps for muscular endurance.

How many times a week should I workout?

In general, three to five workouts per week (or in other words, three to five hours of physical exercise) tend to produce good results. Beginners, as well as more advanced athletes, will see the biggest benefits if they work out three to four times a week.

Should beginners do split routines?

Full-body routines are typically excellent for beginners, those who love cardio and don't want to spend as much time strength training, and those who can only squeeze in 1 to 2 workouts a week. Split-routines are typically best for bodybuilders and fitness models and advanced lifters.

Do you need to lift heavy for hypertrophy?

Low Reps with Heavier Weight

The traditional method for building muscle mass, for both men and women alike, is to lift heavier weights and increase the amount of weight over time. If they aren't under tension long enough, they won't be able to promote hypertrophy (muscle growth) as effectively.

How many rest days should you have a week?

Take at least two days of rest each week.

What is the best 3 day workout split?

Popular 3 Day Workout Splits

Schedule. Monday: Chest Shoulders & Triceps. Tuesday: Rest day. Wednesday: Back and Biceps. Thursday: Rest day.
Chest Shoulders & Triceps.
Back and Biceps.
Legs & Core.
Schedule. Monday: Push. Tuesday: Rest day. Wednesday: Pull. Thursday: Rest day.
Dumbbells.
Pre-workout.
Protein Powder.

How do you split your workouts in 5 days?

Monday: Back/Biceps. Tuesday: Chest/Triceps. Wednesday: Legs/Shoulders. Thursday: Back/Biceps. Friday: Chest/Triceps. Saturday: Off.
Monday: Arms/Abs. Tuesday: Legs. Wednesday: Off. Thursday: Chest/Triceps. Friday: Back/Calves.
Monday: Biceps/Triceps/Calves. Tuesday: Legs. Wednesday: Off. Thursday: Chest/Triceps. Friday: Back/Calves.

How many reps and sets should I do for hypertrophy?

Phase 2: Hypertrophy, or growth, consisting of high volume (eight to 12 reps, three to five sets) and moderate resistance (50 percent to 75 percent of one-rep max). Phase 3: Strength, consisting of moderate volume (five or six reps, three to five sets) and heavy resistance (80 percent to 88 percent of one-rep max).

How are split routines beneficial?

One benefit of a split routine is that because the resistance training program is divided into body parts or movement patterns that can be trained on different days more work can be performed per muscle group or movement pattern in the allotted workout time.

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