Nessesary to switch things up?

**FMJ** · 03-01-2010, 07:36 AM

I've read it's always good to switch up routines or at least the exercises performed ever few months or so.
I've been on a restrictive low carb diet for a few weeks, concentrating on cutting so I'm not so sure this switch up applies to me right now.
I've been doing the same compound moves for 10 or 12 weeks but since I'm not expecting any mass gains till I get on a bulk diet, does it really matter that I remain on these same moves for the duration of my cut? I don't know how much longer I'll be doing it, but a safe estimate could be another few months.
I have been incorporating progressive overload and usually increase the weight or the reps each week. I'm sticking to 3 sets to keep volume low and rep ranges between 1-6.
What do you guys think? Does it really matter during a cut to vary the movements after 3 months?

**Built** · 03-01-2010, 07:53 AM

FMJ, what are you doing diet-wise right now? Something like a PSMF?

Regardless, if you're cutting hard you're probably right about not worrying too much about variation. How much longer will you be cutting?

**FMJ** · 03-01-2010, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by Built

FMJ, what are you doing diet-wise right now? Something like a PSMF?

Regardless, if you're cutting hard you're probably right about not worrying too much about variation. How much longer will you be cutting?

Hi Built,
Well, right now I'm doing a low carb (<50g) with one refeed a week thing that I think mimics UD2. But Lyle's book will be here this week and then I will be make adjustments to actually be on UD2. I don't have a time frame picked out for the cut duration. I'm shooting for 10%BF before considering a bulk up though.

**Built** · 03-01-2010, 08:14 AM

Ah, just wait for Lyle's book and do that.

Good luck!

**brk_nemesis** · 03-01-2010, 08:24 AM

I would focus more on a powerlifting routine or something like DC, which incorporates high intensity, low rep warmups, and a rest pause final set; both utilize mostly the big or "core" lifts, to keep those GH levels high, which only helps on a cut. I would personally stay away from moderate to high rep for muscle building purposes due to the fact if your in a low cal, low carb diet,.... you are not going to build much muscle anyway, if any.

Many BB'ers tend to lean toward relatively higher reps, lower weight in "pre contest mode" more so to "chisel out" or shape up what muscle mass they already have. If this is what you are looking for, you could try this on your cut, but do note that pro BB'ers usually have the recovery, gear, and very high protein intake to make this period very effective. Its up to you, but definitely switch it up as much as you can....

thats my 2 cents.

**Built** · 03-01-2010, 08:30 AM

brk_nemesis, I agree with you. FMJ's doing a cyclic ketogenic diet right now so you're spot on with the recommendation to go heavy, low-rep and leave the "sculpting" workouts to the old school bb on gear.

UD2.0 is very specific about how best to do this, and if he's getting the book in a week, he might as well just leave what he's doing alone until next week.

**FMJ** · 03-01-2010, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by brk_nemesis

I would focus more on a powerlifting routine or something like DC, which incorporates high intensity, low rep warmups, and a rest pause final set; both utilize mostly the big or "core" lifts, to keep those GH levels high, which only helps on a cut. I would personally stay away from moderate to high rep for muscle building purposes due to the fact if your in a low cal, low carb diet,.... you are not going to build much muscle anyway, if any.

Many BB'ers tend to lean toward relatively higher reps, lower weight in "pre contest mode" more so to "chisel out" or shape up what muscle mass they already have. If this is what you are looking for, you could try this on your cut, but do note that pro BB'ers usually have the recovery, gear, and very high protein intake to make this period very effective. Its up to you, but definitely switch it up as much as you can....

thats my 2 cents.

Nah, that's not my objective at all right now. Just trying to get lean. I'm already doing heavy, low rep compounds and basically wanna make sure it's cool to stay that way for a long duration. I know lots of folks frown upon staying on the same routine for 6 months or so but as I said, doesn't really matter if I'm not to expect mass gains.
Thanks guys.

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