Hi,

Ive been training for about 3 months now and its working out well. I do my shoulders and abs one day, chest and triceps another and finally back and biceps. I also do one cardio session a week. I have got myself a good routine and started off with excercises like dumbell flys and a few machines too. Recently Ive found the courage to do some of the bigger exercises like the bench press, Ive just stuck it onto the end of my usual routine and it does burn!!!!

My question is, should the bigger exercises like this be done at the start of a workout when the energy is still there or does this have a negative effect on the other exercises in the workout?

Please help!!!

Yes, do the big exercises first - they are the ones that will really stimulate growth.

Your split looks good, but when do you work your legs?  It's important to do the legs too, an exercise like squats is so intense that it stimulates growth in the whole body.

Thanks. Yes I am looking at starting the legs soon.

 Also is there any point in doing, say dumbell flys with free weights and also using the machine for flys too? is this just pointless or does the machine focus more on the right muscles?

I'd stick with the free weights - dumbbell flyes, dumbbell bench, inclines and declines, regular bench, there's just so many options.