When people talk about full body workouts or body part splits, they’re describing two different styles of strength training. Let’s break them down.
What is a Full Body Workout?
A full body workout trains your entire body in one session. You’ll work your upper body, lower body, and core all together.
👉 Example: A workout that includes squats (legs), push-ups (chest/arms), and planks (core).
Benefits of Full Body Workouts
- No muscles left behind – every session hits all major muscle groups.
- Efficient training – often uses compound exercises (moves that work multiple muscles at once, like squats or push-ups). These burn more calories and raise your heart rate.
- Compound exercises = use several muscle groups (e.g., push-ups, sit-throughs)
- Isolation exercises = focus on one muscle (e.g., bicep curl)
- Flexible – if you miss a workout, you’re still balanced since all muscles were trained earlier.
- Great for any goal – weight loss, strength, balance, or muscle tone.
Who Should Try Full Body Workouts?
- Beginners – builds strength everywhere and teaches good form.
- Busy people – one workout covers everything.
- Anyone wanting balance – no overtraining one area.
- People who love cardio + strength – full body workouts often blend both.
What is a Body Part Split?
A body part split focuses on different muscle groups on different days.
👉 Example:
- Day 1: Chest + Back
- Day 2: Legs + Core
- Day 3: Shoulders + Arms
Benefits of Body Part Splits
- Target weak spots – you can put extra effort into one area (like building stronger legs).
- Specific goals – want more push-up power? Focus on chest, shoulders, and triceps.
- Customizable – not just “leg day” or “arm day.” You can group muscles however you like (push vs. pull, or chest + core).
- Muscle growth – dedicated sessions let you push each muscle group harder.
Who Should Try Body Part Splits?
- Intermediate or advanced lifters – ideal for building muscle.
- Anyone with a weak area – focus on bringing it up.
- People with injuries – train what’s safe and skip what’s not.
- Those who like structure – great if you have set training days each week.
Which One Should You Choose?
The good news? Both styles work.
- Choose full body workouts if you’re a beginner, short on time, or want overall fitness and calorie burn.
- Choose body part splits if you’re more advanced, want to build muscle, or enjoy structured training.
At the end of the day, the best workout style is the one that fits your goals, schedule, and lifestyle.
