Disclaimer
The results from following a workout program depend on several factors including, but not limited to, your diet, lifestyle, and genetics. Therefore, I cannot guarantee any specific results and do not assume any responsibility or liability for any injuries or other health problems that may occur as a result of following a workout program. You should always consult a qualified health professional before beginning any exercise program.
Are you wanting to build an effective workout routine that yields results? A 5-day split has been around for years and is a great way to set up your fitness program. There are dozens of different types of splits, but the Push-Pull-Legs Upper/Lower system stands out in its efficiency and effectiveness.
The idea behind this system is simple: You split up all the exercises into three groups - pushing, pulling, and leg exercises - with two workouts each day focusing on one of those movements. In other words, it's a training split done over five days instead of the usual four.
This article breaks down the exact system I use each week - 5 Day Split - Push Pull Legs Upper/Lower. We'll explore how to properly structure your workouts, why it works, and how it benefits you so that you can get the most out of your exercise routine.
Overview
With the 5-day split-push pull legs upper/lower training program, you can maximize your gains in strength and size by hitting muscles more frequently in less time. This efficient program works great for those who don't have the flexibility of a traditional 7-day workout schedule.
The layout of this program follows a revolving cycle, where each day has its own unique program. Your 6th day will simply restart the cycle and you'll repeat the same sets and exercises that you just did over the previous five days. You also give yourself one full rest day following your 5-day split, as it is important to let your body recover after all that exercise!
Overall, this 5-day split provides an efficient way to reach your goals faster than ever. With this method, you'll be able to build muscle and get stronger from day 1 - all within a reasonable time frame.
How To Implement
If you're looking to maximize your muscle growth potential, then implementing this is a great way to go. This combination of an upper and lower split, along with the PPL split, provides an optimal mix of intensity, volume, and frequency.
When implementing this program into your routine, you should make sure that you are hitting each muscle group with enough attention twice a week. This ensures that each body part is stimulated optimally for its growth potential over 7 days. You can adjust the order of the days as necessary to supplement rest days or replace one total body day with two upper or two lower body days so that each muscle group has an equal chance at recovery before its next workout.
Example Routine:
Pros
The 5-Day Split is the perfect alternative to a standard 7-day weekly cycle. It not only allows for flexibility so you can skip days if needed, but it also allows for your body to be stressed and muscles to be trained more frequently than usual.
• Prevents any missed opportunities in muscle growth as it only takes about 3 days for muscle growth periods to stop. This way, you'll be able to still train these large muscles such as your quads and chest more often than you could with a 7-day cycle due to the frequency of each session.
• Save time when training because each session will require a lower volume due to the frequency aspect of this cycle. Furthermore, by having more frequent sessions you'll also be able to increase calorie expenditure, allowing you to see faster results overall.
• Supersets are also ideal for this workout plan since you can work opposing muscle groups simultaneously with good intensity and form. This style of training reduces DOMS significantly compared to the bro splits utilized by some, meaning fewer aches and pains in between workouts.
• Flexibility if you happen to miss a workout or two each week - your workout plan won't be ruined entirely since you've already worked all your muscles that week (albeit with half the volume).
• Customization. Customize this plan by adding 2 days of strength workouts and 3 days of hypertrophy exercises each week - adjust the weight load and reps accordingly, and you're good to go!
Cons
The 5-Day Split - Push Pull Legs Upper/Lower regimen comes with its own set of drawbacks.
• One of the most glaring cons is the complexity of it all. With multiple muscle groups trained in each workout, twice a week no less, a lot of thought needs to be put into structuring this plan for optimal results.
• Another drawback is related to recovery. With fewer rest days between workouts, muscles may not be fresh enough for those extra sets. This isn't usually an issue when properly following good recovery practices like having a healthy diet and getting plenty of sleep.
• It can be difficult to give each targeted muscle group their due attention to exhaust them fully with such limited sets per session. This would require an experienced trainee who knows how to make the most out of every single set so they will see maximum results from every session - something that requires skill and discipline.
Conclusion
The 5-day splits for Push Pull Legs Upper/Lower are an excellent way to work out, as they provide a balanced routine covering multiple muscle groups each day. These split routines are great for someone who is looking to maximize their workout efficiency and get maximum gains. You will get the best results when you stay consistent with your workouts, eat healthily, and take rest days to give your body proper time to recover.