My goals are size and strength.
I do both weight training and cardio – alternating 3 days weight training, 3 days cardio, and 1 day rest.
My weight training workout alternates between 3 sets each of two muscle groups, and then doing the same again but through different exercises, for a total of 12 sets per day, not including abs which are included in every weight training session. For example, one day might be 3 groups of BENCH – (quick rest) – CURLS, followed by 3 groups of CHINUPS – (quick rest) – FLYS.
Sets normally consist of about 12, 10, and 8 reps to fatigue.
Also, is muscle soreness a good indicator of resting that group that day?
For Size and strenght I would recommend bumping up the weight and lowering the reps. Move to more days of lifting and shift your cardio to interval speed training. Also shift your routine every 4-6weeks or whe you plateau.
My week currently consists of
MON: Chest/Tri
TUE: Lowerbody/Core
WED: Back/shoulders
THUR:Cardio/Core
FRI:Chest/Bi
SAT:Lowerbody/Core
SUN:OFF
Do 3-4 exercises for each muscle group, 5-10 reps per. your last rep (especially your last 2 sets) should be to the point of muscle failure. I like to pyramid the large muscles ie chest, quads, hams going form higher reps to lower and increasing wieght, somehting like a 8-5-5-3 with the last set at 90% of your 1RM.
You will want to take a longer break in between sets to let your muscles recover.
Also look into a good supplement stack. You need 1.5-2g of protein per pound of bdoy wight minimum, creatine is a good supp, as well as various amino acids such as glutamine, arganine, etc. Feed your body to grow.
Cardio move to a speed interval training…5 min wamrup and then 90seconds at 60-75% of max speed, then 30-60 seconds at 100%, then repeat for 5-8 reps, cool down. Don;t forget to work your entire core – not just abs and do not neglect your legs. squats and deadlifts are probably the two best all around lifts you can do, PERIOD! I don;t hit both on the same day, squat one, dead another.
You should be sore somewhat…but honestly your body should be adapting to the lifitng and soreness is minimal. If not you maybe be over training. Supplements will help with recovery time too.