Thread: If your cutting, high reps, or low?

I stick to the standard 8-12 regardless of what phase I'm in. Of course I'll go higher or lower depending on how I feel, but that's the norm.

Never understood why people think you need to change up rep range depending on the cycle.

The only time I'd go high reps is if I was doing a contest and it was the last couple of weeks and I was feeling rundown and weak. Or if I was doing hiit training to try and burn fat and drop water.

For strength, stick to low reps. If you want to look like a bodybuilder, 8-12.

I agree. I think it doesn't matter reps in relation to fat loss. It's a calories in vs calories out. When you increase the amount of reps you are primarily building up endurance w in the muscles. Ie more mitochondria, and vascular density.

Conventional wisdom says to stick with whatever rep scheme put the muscle on in the first place. Don't go away from what works for you.

Its natural for strength to go down a little but if your strength starts dropping quickly you're losing too much muscle and should cut back a bit.

I shoot for 8 reps on most of my exercises, up from 5. I have a lot of strength but Id like to build that same 5 rep strength currently out to higher reps. The only exception is calves and abs. I beat them like a wife that prepares me a high protein dinner...made with tofu.

Originally Posted by flogzero

Its natural for strength to go down a little but if your strength starts dropping quickly you're losing too much muscle and should cut back a bit.

Funny thing is, that I had planned this to be straight cut cycle (maybe gain 3 pounds), I've put on 7 pounds (last checked) while dropping 1.5" off my waist and gaining a ton of strength, and i'm running a AI daily to keep water bloat off! Most successful cycle as of yet and i'm not even halfway.

whats your cycle lay out?

Cutting is done in the kitchen and on the track...not in the gym.

For lifting when I cut, I stick with the same 5x5 that I get bigger and stronger with, increase the cardio, and take care of the rest with my food.

^^^^^this

6-12 rep range for me on average but I like to mix it up when cutting.

I train abs every week no matter my body fat.