C.S. Sloan's Integral Strength

Q: Hey, Sloan.  In your last essay on “the rule of 3,” you showed the current 3-way split that you are using.  Why do you train chest, back, and shoulders on one of the days and biceps and triceps alone on another?  Why not use a push/pull/legs split or chest/back on one day and shoulders/bis/tris on another?  It just seems like an odd choice, but I guess you have your reasons? A: Yes, I do have my reasons.  For one, and this would only apply to anyone else in my “predicament,” I have a well-developed chest, a large back, and good shoulders but my arms have always been my biggest weak area.  I have long, ape-like arms with a very wide and broad back.  I could stop training entirely and my back would still be big.  So, for me, it makes sense.  My lats will even grow from training my chest.  For instance, when I was a kid and was training in martial arts before I ever picked up a barbell, we would do a lot of push-ups to begin class—regula...

  Hybrid Hypertrophy/Conditioning Programs Combining Full-Body Kettlebell Workouts with Multi-Split Bodybuilding Training      A lot of our population, including lifters and bodybuilders, are metabolically compromised.  I’ve seen a number of studies, research papers, and health articles declaring this.  But I don’t need a study or some health expert to explain it to me.  All I have to do is go to the grocery store, a local restaurant, or the local gym (not that I go to a local gym; just saying) to see the obvious right before my eyes.  People are out of shape.  And, despite a push to make America healthy once again, we’re getting even more out of shape.  But it doesn’t have to be this way, and, in fact, despite more and more obese people in this country, there are also a greater number of people who are in fantastic shape.  Even though it’s easy to be out of shape these days, it’s also easier to be in shape.  Ther...