Best Upper Body Split: Back and Biceps or Back and Triceps?

Q: Dr., this is an old-school question, but one that’s still being asked: Back and biceps or back and triceps?

A: I do believe that synergistic muscle groups have to be trained in the same workout, therefore pectorals should be trained along with triceps, while lats with biceps. During pushing movements of a chest workout, front delts and triceps assist to the pectoral work. Similarly during pulling movements of a back workout, biceps and rear delts help the lats to do their job. This practically means that triceps and biceps are literally pre-exhausted right after a chest and back workout. Also from a physician’s perspective, we know from physiology that it’s preferable for the blood to be sent in the same area, rather than an antagonistic spot. Nevertheless, Lee Haney used to train the opposite, meaning chest and biceps, back and triceps. Personally, I used to do it the way I described it.

George Touliatos, MD is an author, lecturer, champion competitive bodybuilder and expert in medical prevention regarding PED use in sports. Dr. Touliatos specializes in medical biopathology and is the medical associate of Orthobiotiki.gr and Medihall.gr, Age Management and Preventive Clinics in Athens, Greece. Heis the author of four Greek books on bodybuilding, has extensively developed articles for www.anabolic.org and is the medical associate for the book Anabolics, 11th Edition (2017). Dr. Touliatos has been a columnist for the Greek editions of MuscleMag and Muscular Development magazines, and has participated in several seminars across Greece and Cyprus, making numerous TV and radio appearances, doing interviews in print and online. His personal website is https://gtoul.com/

DISCUSS ON OUR FORUMS
SUBSCRIBE TO MD TODAY
GET OFFICIAL MD STUFF
VISIT OUR STORE

ALSO, MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM 
YOUTUBE