Workout routines and why you should have one.

[slyfox]

[rugbyjockca]

I know guys who don't have a set routine, but they intuitively hit all of the points you raised. I find having a routine or a program makes things a LOT easier, both in working at the gym and in tracking my progress.

For those who can afford it, I'd recommend getting a personal trainer. I started with a trainer after about a year of training on my own, and it made a huge difference: my form improved, I saw more progress, and I learned a shitload of useful info about how muscle grows.

But at the end of the day: consistency, progressive overload, diet, rest. That's all you need.

[WatDo]

My only problem was how to workout. Though after reading Arnold Schwarzenegger's Encyclopedia to Bodybuilding I have a much better handle on things. Working out became really easy after I changed the way I did my sets.

Set 1, 12-16 reps with medium weight
Set 2/3/4, 8-12 reps of my 75% max lift

After I did that I was like WHOA THIS IS WAY EASIER! My body's looking better, but the lack of a weight bench and only having dumbbells is making it hard for me to get a routine that works everything. Pushups and using the perfect pushup will only get me so far so I'll have to crack down and buy an adjustable bench sometime soon.

[lew897]

I don't work out all that much, probably two hours a week. But I do have rest days immediately after the work out day for the muscles to relax and grow back. The one thing I noticed after a year of working out is to work out the muscles that I want to get better first in my workout session. Im not a blown out jock since my max weights are 50 pounds. The other days Im doing cardio for 20-30 minutes. So, I really only have one rest day. I also switch yoga with cardio days, basketball games, etc. As much as I like this routine my style varies and changes with what I want. Which is okay since all I want is to stay in shape.