The word effective is tossed around a lot. Frankly, it’s a very subjective term. If you feel like it was a good workout then you’d probably say it was effective. If you sweat while performing the routine, you’d probably say it was effective. If you feel sore the next day, you’d probably say it was effective. You see? Effectiveness is in the eye of the beholder. HIIT workouts are effective, Muscle Isolation workouts are effective, and body weight workouts are effective. As a matter of fact most workout styles are effective; each in their own way.
HIIT Workouts
These style of workouts are effective if you only have a short period of time to get in a good workout. Considering that the average HIIT style workout would take about 20 minutes, you can get a workout done in less time than most TV shows.
Muscle Isolation Workouts
Being the most traditional style of workout of this bunch, by default you have to say it’s effective. Actually, muscle isolation workouts are effective because you have the entire gym session to concentrate your workouts on a specific muscle group. These workouts would generally take about 70 minutes.
Body Weight Workouts
Without a doubt body weight workouts are effective because, never mind a gym membership, you don’t need any equipment to perform them. You can even perform these workouts nearly anywhere; at a park, on the road, you don’t even need to leave your own house! If you’re just getting started with fitness then this workout style is for you! These workouts can run anywhere between 10 – 60 minutes.
Push/Pull Workouts
So, yes, Push/Pull workouts are effective. On a given day you are either performing the most important push exercises or pull exercises that will aid in your muscle development, weight loss, and athleticism. I suggest this workout style to people who have inconsistent schedules, are beginners, or are athletes and alternate between practices and weight training. These workouts would generally take about 70 minutes.
So, if you’re unfamiliar with what exercises would constitute a Push Day or a Pull Day, below are push/pull exercises that I would suggest:
- Pull Ups & Chin Ups (Weighted/Unweighted)
- Squats (Front & Back)
- Bench Press (Barbell/ Dumbbell)
- Military Press (Standing Shoulder Press)
- Dips (Weighted/Unweighted)
- Dead Lifts (Normal/ Sumo/ Romanian)
- Bent Over Rows (Wide/ Normal/ Reverse Grip)
- Shrugs (Barbell/Dumbbell)
Along with that here is a sample schedule you can follow:
Monday (REST)
Tuesday (PUSH)
- Squats (Front & Back)
- Bench Press (Barbell/ Dumbbell)
- Military Press (Standing Shoulder Press)
- Dips (Weighted/Unweighted)
Wednesday (REST)
Thursday (PULL)
- Pull Ups & Chin Ups (Weighted/Unweighted)
- Dead Lifts (Normal/ Sumo/ Romanian)
- Bent Over Rows (Wide/ Normal/ Reverse Grip)
- Shrugs (Barbell/Dumbbell)
Friday (REST)
You may think this is too much time to rest but you are performing a lot of big movements and your muscles will need the time to recover and recovery is just as important as the actual exercise. Check out our workout generator and find trillions of free Push/ Pull, HIIT, Muscle Isolation, and Body Weight workouts for you!
Push/Pull workouts are great for people who have inconsistent schedules, are beginners, or are athletes.
- Athleticism
- Food For Thought
- Muscle Size
- Weight Loss
