AboutRich Ruffing Expertise I can answer to questions to all aspects of exercise: strength training, flexibility, cardiovascular, body composition, etc.. The questions can be general or they can be more specific or individualized. I can help you with workout design, exercise selection, recovery methods and any other aspects that are part of your program. Visit my website, www.richruffing.com, for more information.
Experience I have been training since 2000, working in health clubs and studios and working with a variety of clients.
Education/Credentials I have a Bachelors Degree in Sports Biology and am certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Currently, I am working towards my licensure as a massage therapist.
Question Hello, I have been strength training since my late teens (I am 34 now) and I
have a question regarding the structure of workouts. In particular, I would
like to know if there is any benefit to concentrating all exercises for a given
muscle group in the same portion of a workout? For example, say it was my
chest/triceps split day- in terms of maximizing progressive overload, should
I do all my chest exercises, and then do my triceps excercises? If I was to
switch back and forth between chest and triceps exercises, i.e., 3 sets chest,
3 sets triceps, then back to chest, would my chest cool down and recover too
much during the triceps work, and lose the progressive overloading effect
that sequential sets achieve when applied to the same or similar muscle
group?
Thank you for taking the time to answer my question!
Brad Temple
Answer Hi Brad. I suggest starting with the compound movements or larger muscle groups. In this instance, perform your chest exercises and then your your triceps work. If you're going to put triceps ahead of chest or even in between, this is going to have a negative effect on your chest work.
