How Many Exercises Should You Do Per Muscle Group? (complete Guide)

How many exercises must you perform each workout and for each muscle group in order to notice results? This is a query that both novice and experienced lifters frequently have. Since there is so much contradicting information available, it can be challenging to cut through the noise.

Fear not! We will address all of your concerns in this comprehensive guide, including how many exercises you ought to perform per session, by muscle group, and how to improve your routines for the best outcomes.

We will also go through the value of rest and recuperation and provide some advice on how to prevent overtraining.

You will have all the information you need to create a workout program that meets your unique goals by the time you finish reading this article.

So, how many exercises should you perform with each workout? Let’s investigate!

How many exercises should you do per muscle group?

Targeting each muscle group with the right number of exercises is crucial for getting the most out of your workouts.

If you do too many, you run the risk of overtraining and injury. If you do too few, you won’t be exercising the muscle hard enough.

A good general rule of thumb is to perform 3–4 exercises for the biceps and triceps and 5-7 exercises for the major muscle groups, such as the chest, back, and thighs.

However, this does not imply that you must adhere to these precise figures. Adjust as necessary if you believe you need to do more or fewer exercises to target a specific muscle group.

Just make sure you’re constantly pushing yourself and making progress toward your objectives.

There are many options to pick from when it comes to selecting the best exercises. However, not all workout is created equal. A few are better than others at targeting particular muscles.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Chest: bench press, incline bench press, decline bench press, pec flyes

Back: lat pulldowns, bent over rows, deadlifts, seated cable rows

Thighs: squats, lunges, leg extensions, leg curls

Biceps: barbell curls, dumbbell curls, hammer curls

Triceps: overhead tricep extensions, skullcrushers, dips

How to determine the number of sets and reps for each exercise?

Your goals will determine the amount of sets and reps you perform for each activity. Do more sets and fewer reps if you’re trying to put on muscle. Do fewer sets and more repetitions if you’re trying to tone.

There are several methods for figuring out how many sets and reps to perform for each activity. Use a weight that enables you to perform 10–12 reps before becoming fatigued as one method.

Increase the weight until you can only perform 8–10 repetitions with proper form once you can no longer complete 10–12 repetitions. Your starting weight for the following workout will be this.

Utilizing a percentage of your one-rep maximum is a different method to decide the number of sets and reps (1RM). For instance, if you can lift 100 pounds for one rep, your working set weight would be 70% of your 1RM. The weight in this instance would therefore be 70 pounds. Use 8–10 repetitions, just as you did before.

What is the ideal number of workouts per week?

Since every person’s body is unique and will react differently to varied workout frequencies, there is no conclusive answer to this topic. However, it’s wise to aim for 5-7 workouts every week as a general guideline.

Overtraining, which can result in burnout, exhaustion, and injury, can be brought on by exercising too regularly. Exercise too seldom, however, and you won’t see the results you want.

Starting with experimenting with various frequencies and observing how your body responds can help you choose the amount of workouts that are best for you. If you feel fantastic after five workouts per week, keep doing that many. Try cutting back to 5 workouts if, after 7, you feel exhausted and strained.

The appropriate number of workouts each week will ultimately rely on your goals, degree of fitness, and the particular requirements of your body. But a smart place to start is by trying with a few various frequencies and seeing which one suits you the best.

How to properly progress your workouts?

Exercise is a fantastic method to enhance your physical and mental well-being, but figuring out how to advance your routines can be challenging.

Here are some pointers to help you make the most of your gym time.

1. To begin, increase the weight or resistance you use for each exercise gradually. Over time, doing this will assist you in gaining strength and muscle mass.
2. Change to a new exercise that targets the same muscle group when you can no longer add weight to the activity. Your muscles will be challenged and won’t become overly accustomed to the same exercise thanks to this.
3. Take pauses from exercising on occasion. This will give your muscles time to rest and repair, which will help you get better results over time.
4. To keep things new and difficult, change up your training program every few weeks. This will keep you motivated and keep you from reaching a plateau.
5. Pay attention to your body’s cues and modify your exercises as necessary. Take a break from your next workout or dial back the intensity if you’re feeling extremely worn out or sore.

How to avoid overtraining?

Overtraining has been a problem for many sportsmen, both amateur and professional. Overtraining depletes your vitality, slows down healing, and weakens your immune system. To prevent overtraining, it’s crucial to be able to recognize its signs.

You can prevent overtraining in a number of ways.

• Make careful you balance your workout with enough time for relaxation and recovery. This entails getting enough rest and using vacation days as necessary.
• Make sure you’re eating a balanced diet that includes lots of protein and carbohydrates.
• Keep an eye on your workout amount and intensity. Avoid pushing yourself too much or too frequently. Fourth, give yourself enough time between sessions to adapt.
• Make sure you are drinking enough water.
• To keep track of your progress and avoid exhaustion, think about using a heart rate monitor.
• If you feel worn out or run down, pay attention to your body and take a break until you feel better.
• By adhering to these recommendations, you can lessen the chance of overtraining and maintain good health and strength all year long.

The importance of rest and recovery

The majority of athletes are aware of the need of rest and recovery, but many individuals are unaware of its significance in daily life. Everyone, not just athletes, needs to rest and recover.

Your body can’t operate at its finest when you don’t get enough sleep. You’ll be less effective at work, more prone to illness, and less content overall.

A major advantage of obtaining adequate sleep is that it enables your body to heal. Your body releases growth hormones as you sleep, which aid in the recovery of harmed cells and tissues.

Lack of sleep impairs your body’s ability to recover from injury, which can cause health issues.

Additionally necessary for cognitive function is sleep. Your capacity for concentration and focus decreases when you are fatigued. Poor decision making and decreased productivity may result from this.

For the sake of your emotional wellbeing, make sure you get adequate sleep. You’re more likely to experience tension and worry when you’re exhausted. Additionally, mood changes and irritability might result from fatigue.

How much sleep do you need, then? Your age, level of exercise, and state of health are just a few variables that affect how much sleep you require.

The average person need 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night. Nevertheless, depending on their particular demands, some people might require more or less sleep.

Tips for maximizing your results

Here are some pointers to help you maximize your workout:

1. Before beginning your workout, warm up. Injuries can be avoided and your body will be better prepared for the exercise.
2. Put quality before quantity. Doing a few well-done workouts is preferable to trying to perform too many and failing miserably.
3. Maintain a regular training schedule. The better benefits you get depend on how frequently you workout. But be careful not to overdo it or you run the danger of getting hurt.
4. After your workout, cool down. Your muscles will recuperate and avoid soreness as a result.
5. Stay hydrated all day long, especially before and after an exercise.

If you follow these tips, you’ll be able to get the most out of your workouts and get the best results.

Which workout split is best for you?

The workout split that best suits your objectives, schedule, and requirements for recovery is the best one for you.

A typical split for people attempting to gain muscle is to work each muscle group once per week. You might workout your shoulders on Thursday, back and biceps on Tuesday, legs on Wednesday, and chest and triceps on Monday. Consequently, each muscle group has time to rest before being worked out again.

You might want to work out your entire body three to four times per week if you’re aiming to shed fat. By doing this, you’ll increase your calorie expenditure and increase your calorie deficit.

You could want to conduct an upper/lower split if you only have a short amount of time to work out. With this split, you work out your upper body one day and your lower body the next. You may workout your upper body on Monday and Wednesday and your lower body on Tuesday and Thursday, for instance.

Another option is to perform a push-pull-legs split, in which you work all of the pushing muscles (chest, shoulders, and triceps), all of the pulling muscles (back and biceps), and the legs on alternate days. Because it is simple to understand and apply, this split is excellent for novices.

The workout split that best suits your objectives, schedule, and requirements for recovery is the one you should use. If you’re unsure of which split is best for you, speak with a certified trainer or coach who can assist you in developing a strategy that is catered to your individual requirements.