Weights - whole body or one muscle group at a time?

[Cord the Seeker]

To supplement my other initiatives, I'm using dumbbells at work for my strength training.

When I do my DB workouts, I do a variety of lifts that hit most or all of the major muscle groups.

I'm just wondering - since my goal at this time is weight loss and muscle maintenance (and strength building), and not bodybuilding (yet, anyway...), is this a good way to go, or am I better served by a more focussed workout that targets mainly one major muscle group per session?

Thoughts? Ideas? Advice?

 

[Jynus]

if you're just using dumbells, i would say no matter what you do it's not going to be an effectice use of your time. Squat, deadlift, bench, pullup, overhead press. These are the basic core compund workouts and should be an integral part of every workout you do. Some you can do with dumbells, but I know there is no way you can squat with them. find a bar, drop that weight on your shoulders and watch the results fly.

 

[Meko]

If you're going to lift weights its better to join a join.

Theres only so much exercises you can do with the dumbbells so do a full body workout 2/3 times a week along with your cardio.

 

[KaraCooks]

I think there's a lot you can do with dumbells, personally. But I do believe that working your whole body is more effective than working small groups of muscles. I do my fair share of curls, presses, etc, don't get me wrong, but overall it's jsut a small part of the whole.

But I will say that I have done squats with dumbells before. It's not impossible ... and it's better than not doing them at all.

 

[Jynus]

I think there's a lot you can do with dumbells, personally. But I do believe that working your whole body is more effective than working small groups of muscles. I do my fair share of curls, presses, etc, don't get me wrong, but overall it's jsut a small part of the whole.

But I will say that I have done squats with dumbells before. It's not impossible ... and it's better than not doing them at all.

agreed, you can do them with dumbells. but trust me when i say it's nowhere NEAR the same thing as barbell. With the weight on your shoulders, squats are transformed into a complete full body exercise. And once your body starts adapting to the weight, there is just no possible way you're going to be able to hold onto hundreds of pounds of dumbells with your hands. you'll need it on your back. and i'm not just talking about guys. A few of my female clients who could barely lift the bar just a few months ago are fast approaching their body weight for 10 reps for squats now. You want an amazing workout? pile on the pounds and work yourself into the ground. squats like nothing else have the ability to turn you into a sweaty, heart pounding, completely muscle fatigued mess.

 

[Jynus]

also to add to the OP's initial question, don't worry about splits right now. As a noob, your recovery is off the chart, and you're just unable to fully push yourself to utter failure right now. Stick to full body 2-3x per week. cover all the major compound movements every workout. After a few months of this when you have a good solid base to work with, then you can go about switching it up into a split if your BBing or something like westside for just in general physical improvement.