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Contributing Author of Best of All Star's - Tom Venuto

What type of routine should I use when lifting weights?

There are many variables to each weight lifting routine; how often, how much rest, what exercises, when to cycle, etc.

Here are a few common ways to split up your work out.

Upper body/Lower body: Work the muscles above your waist on one day, then work the muscles below your waist on the next work out.

Push/Pull: Work the opposing muscle groups on the same work out. Triceps & Biceps, Quads & Hamstrings, Chest & Back. Or work only those muscles that "push" on one day and the muscles that "pull" on another.

3(or 4)-on-1(or 2)-off: Working the different muscles every day, the "on" days, until the whole body is worked, then taking a day or two off.

i.e.
Day 1: Back and Biceps.
Day 2: Legs & Calves
Day 3: Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps
Day 4: OFF
Day 5: OFF or Day 1

Or

Day 1: Back and Traps
Day 2: Chest, Shoulders
Day 3: Triceps & Biceps
Day 4: Legs & Calves
Day 5: OFF
Day 6: OFF or Day 1

Work one body part in the morning and another in the evening.

M-W-F: Working out every other day, then take the weekend off.

Work different body parts on on Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday taking Wednesday and the weekend off.

Work a different body part every day, take at least 2 days off then start again.

Give larger muscle groups (Legs, back, chest) more days off, and hit the smaller muscles, since they recover faster, more often.

Alternate between light weight (12-15 reps) and High weight 6-8 rep days.

i.e.
Day 1: Back and Biceps (Heavy)
Day 2: Legs & Calves (Light)
Day 3: Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps (Heavy)
Day 4: OFF
Day 1: Back and Biceps (Light)
Day 2: Legs & Calves (Heavy)
Day 3: Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps (Light)
Day 4: OFF

Are you ready for more on the best weight lifting routine? You'll want to check out these other articles:

5 Star Arm Workouts - The Best Bicep and Tricep Routines of All Time

Build More Muscle With Supersets

Burn More Fat

16 Essential Fitness Strategies

High Density Strength Training

Explode Muscle Growth

It's Mean, It's Lean, It's Protein. Putting the Power In Your Workout Hour