Thread: How many reps when cutting?

diets more important, but I generally train higher volume - supersets/trisets - burns more calories and as a general change of routine.

Personally I'd do fewer sets and fewer reps but as heavy as possibly to preserve your muscles as much as possible - not aiming to progress in weight just to add a substantial threat to the body for maintenance. Then do light cardio for 45 minutes every day.

Originally Posted by TheCapt'n

diets more important, but I generally train higher volume - supersets/trisets - burns more calories and as a general change of routine.

Not necessarily. As loads lifted decrease so does intensity. Reps may increase, but ultimately there isn't much of a difference. Supersetting is definitely a useful method to stimulate metabolic function, but so is sub-maximal lifting.

I say it's all relative. There's a benefit to using both methods when cutting, but logically low-volume, high-intensity is the most efficient way to trigger to your brain that your muscle mass is still needed despite nitrogen imbalance.

Let diet and maybe cardio deal with the calories. Gym time is precious for maintaining those hard-earned muscles.

I suggest you find/make a middle of the road type of program. Basically one that has medium volume&intensity and more rest time. It's very easy for someone to say that low rep/high weight is the way to go on a cut. But have they ever done it? The longer you're cutting for the more fatigued you'll become. The more tired you are, the more chance that you'll break form and get hurt. Not to mention that you're overall recovery will be much slower and the chance of overtraining will likewise increase. I'm currently cutting and have learned the hard way that you should check your ego.

Thanks for the advice, I will just keep to my normal routine of mixing it up each session, as for the ego, I learnt that part yesterday, with a siginificant strength drop coming off HGH and Sust.

I go heavy. Having good success with carb cycling/depletion/loading

Originally Posted by PushAndPull

I suggest you find/make a middle of the road type of program. Basically one that has medium volume&intensity and more rest time. It's very easy for someone to say that low rep/high weight is the way to go on a cut. But have they ever done it? The longer you're cutting for the more fatigued you'll become. The more tired you are, the more chance that you'll break form and get hurt. Not to mention that you're overall recovery will be much slower and the chance of overtraining will likewise increase. I'm currently cutting and have learned the hard way that you should check your ego.

I agree that while cutting it is difficult to train heavy w/low reps. I have also found that it is the best way for me to hang onto that hard-earned muscle from a bulk. But finding a balance is very important. There is no doubt that you need to be careful and know your limits. If you get injured and miss days in the gym, your progress will come to a halt. Knowing your own body and the symptoms of over training is crucial. I agree with the idea that you have to find a way to curb your ego and not put yourself at risk. Cutting can be very challenging, and there are just so many variables involved. Training heavy with low reps can be very dangerous, especially when overtired.

It looks like the program is more complex.