Ever since I picked up my first barbell some thirty years ago, I have been fascinated by power lifting and bodybuilding.
I read everything I could get my hands on and this is where I first learned about the workout routine.
Since then, I've tried just about every routine and training philosophy out there.
I've had success with some and not much with others.
My best results came from a routine that I designed myself that focused on specialization.
I'm not referring to a program that adds on an extra workout or two to an already existing routine.
I'm talking about a routine that hits ONLY two muscle groups for a few months or longer.
Now it's quiet obvious this type of training routine is not for the competitive body builder who needs over all mass and definition.
However, it's great for a guy who is new to the 'Iron game', or a seasoned vet who wants to try something different.
Why is it great? Because, you get to focus all your efforts on your favorite muscle groups and (at least from my experience), see better results in a shorter amount of time.
I stumbled upon this method while attending night classes at a local college.
Since I was a student, I was allowed to use the weight room.
It wasn't much to look at but it had everything I needed.
It was never crowded, so I started going there often.
In fact, I was there so often that people thought I worked there.
Now, I would be rich if I had a dime every time I saw a student come strolling in with a fitness magazine and a notebook and start working out according to an outlined routine.
Half way through it they would get bored, some would leave, while others would finish off half heartedly.
Chances of that student coming back on the next scheduled day were slim to none.
I'm not saying that their routine would not work.
It probably does.
However some key ingredients were missing - 'Intensity, Positive Attitude and Consistency'.
I was approached often for tips and ideas.
My first question to them was always the same - 'What do you like to do?' Most guys would say 'Chest and Arms'.
So I told them to come in three times a week, and do bench press and curls.
My intention was if they wouldn't show up to do exercises they like, they sure as hell wouldn't show up to do exercises they disliked.
To my surprise a good number of them did show up.
Some of the guys were new to working out and some weren't.
Either way they all had excellent results in a couple of months.
One person in particular dropped his old routine and switched to chest and arms only and had stellar results.
Some of the other guys stayed on chest and arms for a couple of months and slowly added exercise to help build up other muscle groups.
Within a year they had a full routine which included intensity, positive attitude and consistency.
My own results were unbelievable.
After I finished night school, I got a new job and my workouts went to twice a week.
I decided to specialize on chest (with power lifting bench press focus) and arms.
I could not believe my results.
I went from 190 lbs to 230 lbs.
Arms went from 16.
5 inches to 19 inches.
Bench press went from 335 to 405.
I've been accused by many of being on "the juice".
Since I'm not it's a big compliment.
Additionally my body did not look lopsided.
I remember telling a friend of mine if all you did was bench press and curls for a year and you got to a point where you could bench press 450 and curl 225 do you think you would have small weak shoulders or traps.
Of course not! This method really works.
If you want to look good on the beach or in a t-shirt then this is for you.
Specialize, Keep it simple, Focus your gains on two muscle groups and watch them GROW.