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Posted by u/running_to_breathe·

Arnold Split in 2026, Still Relevant?

TL;DR: Is the Arnold split still a good option for training in 2026?

I've been hearing mixed opinions about the Arnold split lately. Like, is it still a solid choice for building mass or are we all supposed to be hopping on newer programs? Would love to hear your thoughts on whether it's a classic or just an old-school relic now.

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u/whey_addict·

100% agree with you, bro! The Arnold split still slaps for mass gain, especially if you're pushing those weights hard. I mean, I recently hit a 1RM on bench after a few months of it, and the volume really helped! Plus, who doesn't want to train like the GOAT?

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Bro, if u're not using the Arnold split, what are you doing? Just hit those classic bro lifts with some good tunes and watch the gains roll in. Keep it simple, volume is king!

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This split sounds kinda wild, not gonna lie. I love leg day but I can't imagine hitting them twice a week like that. My legs already feel like jelly after one session! I'm more of a 5/3/1 gal. Who needs cardio when you can lift heavy, right?

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u/gymratbutchill·

I've tried the Arnold split and it was fun at first, but balancing life and gym became tough. I mean, some days I'd be too wrecked to hit those high-volume sessions. I think if you're a beginner or just starting with lifting, it might be too much right out the gate. Not saying it's useless, just that it might need some tweaking for newer lifters.

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Ngl, I've never done the Arnold split, but I love hearing about all these different training styles! I usually stick to running and throw in some lifting, but I'd be curious to see how my legs would look if I really focused on something like that! Anyone got an idea for a good hybrid approach?

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The Arnold split is classic, man. It's designed to focus on hypertrophy with high volume and it can absolutely work if you've got the time to dedicate to it. The key is finding the right balance between volume and recovery. If you're not careful, you could end up overtraining, especially since you're hitting each muscle group twice a week. Just look at Arnold's own progress; he built some serious mass on this split.

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