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The Arnold Split

A six-day bodybuilding routine that trains chest and back, shoulders and arms, and legs twice each week. It includes warm-up guidance, exercise choices, progression rules, shorter three-day and four-day options, and steps for missed sessions or signs that recovery is slipping.

BodyBuddy will text you every day to keep you on track.

This flexible bodybuilding plan trains every area twice weekly while keeping each session focused.

Six Day Week

Follow the sessions in order, with most taking 50 to 75 minutes after warming up.

Chest and Back A

Monday · 50 to 75 min

Shoulders and Arms A

Tuesday · 50 to 75 min

Legs A

Wednesday · 50 to 75 min

Chest and Back B

Thursday · 50 to 75 min

Shoulders and Arms B

Friday · 50 to 75 min

Legs B

Saturday · 50 to 75 min

Rest

Sunday

Rest fully and get ready to begin the sequence again.

Run Each Session

Use these rules to keep the work consistent and manageable.

Warm Up First

Spend 5 to 10 minutes walking, cycling, or rowing, rehearse the day’s patterns with controlled reps, then do 5 reps near half working weight and 2 to 3 reps near working weight.

Count Work Sets

The listed sets exclude warm-up sets, so begin at the lower set count and add one after two or three weeks of stable technique.

Keep Two Reps

Finish most sets with about two controlled reps still available.

Rest By Exercise

Rest 2 to 3 minutes after heavy compounds, 90 to 120 seconds after secondary lifts, and 60 to 90 seconds after isolation work.

Keep Choices Stable

When alternatives are listed, choose one movement and keep it for several weeks.

Protect Compounds

If a session runs long, keep the compound lifts and remove one isolation movement.

Bench Progression

Add reps within the range before increasing weight, using this 3 by 6 to 8 bench press example.

Build Reps

Week 1 · 185 lb

Complete 8, 7, and 6 reps across the three sets.

Build Reps

Week 2 · 185 lb

Complete 8, 8, and 7 reps across the three sets.

Reach The Top

Week 3 · 185 lb

Complete 8 reps across all three sets.

Confirm The Top

Week 4 · 185 lb

Repeat 8 reps across all three sets before adding weight.

Add Weight

Week 5 · 190 lb

Complete 7, 6, and 6 reps, then build upward again.

Progress And Recover

Build gradually, respond to fatigue, and keep the workout order intact.

Increase Weight Slowly

After repeating the top of the range, add about 2 to 5 percent unless the extra reps came from shortening the movement range.

Respond To Declines

After two declining sessions on one lift, keep the same load or reduce it.

Take An Easier Week

When performance, sleep, soreness, and motivation worsen together, do about half the work sets with loads 5 to 10 percent lighter and keep the same exercises.

Keep Session Order

Move a missed workout to the next available day, continue in sequence, and never combine two full sessions.

Review At Six Weeks

Assess the program after six weeks and use the four-day version if six days repeatedly does not fit.

Shorter Plan Options

Choose the schedule that matches your training experience and available days.

Three-Day Beginner

Four-Day Intermediate

Exercise Choices

Use one listed alternative when the primary movement does not suit you, then keep that choice stable for several weeks.

Health Check

Ask Before Starting

Speak with a qualified health professional before beginning if you have a chronic condition or injury.

How BodyBuddy works

  1. 1Start the plan.
  2. 2BodyBuddy texts you every day to keep you on track.
  3. 3Actually finish what you started.

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