Thread: Different exercises when cutting?

Also to maybe add an arms day while cutting?

I think you'll find a wide range of opinions on this subject. Traditionally, people switch to a higher rep, lower weight type of workout when cutting to induce a greater calorie burn. I'm not sure if this really works as it ignores the overall effect of calorie burn resulting from increased metabolism caused by lifting heavy.

What you definately have to be careful about when cutting is recovery. When calories are restricted, your body is going to be less able to recover from an intense heavy weight workout. This may be the real reason a higher volume, lower weight workout is effective during cutting for many.

You do not need to change exercises. If you start lifting light, your muscles are going to look like you lift light. Bring out the fine detail with higher reps? If you say the word "tone" I'm going to inflict physical pain unto you through your monitor.

Yes, your recovery will be hampered in a caloric deficit, but you should still keep your workouts intense through compound heavy lifting. If you start to feel yourself get drained, either take a deload week or slightly decrease volume while keeping intensity the same (ie, change 5x5 to a 3x5). Anaerobic exertion is going to be what keeps your muscle. Keep the aerobic work to cardio.

Are you getting ready for a contest or just normal cutting? Also, I'm assuming you're doing this all natural. With anabolic assistance, you would probably never need to deload even when cutting.

Originally Posted by Cork

You do not need to change exercises. If you start lifting light, your muscles are going to look like you lift light. Bring out the fine detail with higher reps? If you say the word "tone" I'm going to inflict physical pain unto you through your monitor.

Yes, your recovery will be hampered in a caloric deficit, but you should still keep your workouts intense through compound heavy lifting. If you start to feel yourself get drained, either take a deload week or slightly decrease volume while keeping intensity the same (ie, change 5x5 to a 3x5). Anaerobic exertion is going to be what keeps your muscle. Keep the aerobic work to cardio.

Are you getting ready for a contest or just normal cutting? Also, I'm assuming you're doing this all natural. With anabolic assistance, you would probably never need to deload even when cutting.

^this. Look into built's "baby got back" routine. Hahaha please, let's bring the tone down (you see what I did there?) Your goal on cutting is to maintain your muscle strength and size. Low weight\high rep does not do that. Heavy, compound lifts are where its at.

If you get the mental "billy biceps" syndrome (like me) there's nothing wrong with a little bicep work at the end of a good workout, just don't make it your focus

Originally Posted by Cork

Bring out the fine detail with higher reps?

I didn't say anything about higher reps?

Should I incorporate more isolation exercises than compound exercises

. I've been focusing simply on compound movements as to grow overall and to steer clear of isolation exercises as they would be little benefit to me when bulking as definition isn't what you aim for at the time. But now then I'm cutting.. would I need to begin to incorporate them more?

Also I am planning for the future to perhaps begin competing so I want to get into good habits and know what to do. In terms of aas I'm still researching all I need to know so maybe next year I'll be fully prepared; as tempting as it is I shouldn't do yet because of my age. Although I hear of those wanting to compete juicing very early so maybe I'm a tad behind

Originally Posted by MrKeenan

I'm starting my cutting in febuary/march this year after about 3 years of bulking and I was wondering whether there was any major change I should make to the exercises I'm carrying out? Should I incorporate more isolation exercises than compound exercises for finer detail? Or am I to just to stick with what I'm doing now, and the same split?

If you are carb cycling to cut...then schedule you heavier lifts and bigger body parts around your higher carb days. Schedule your legs the day after your highest carb day...

Originally Posted by MrKeenan

I didn't say anything about higher reps? . I've been focusing simply on compound movements as to grow overall and to steer clear of isolation exercises as they would be little benefit to me when bulking as definition isn't what you aim for at the time. But now then I'm cutting.. would I need to begin to incorporate them more?

Also I am planning for the future to perhaps begin competing so I want to get into good habits and know what to do. In terms of aas I'm still researching all I need to know so maybe next year I'll be fully prepared; as tempting as it is I shouldn't do yet because of my age. Although I hear of those wanting to compete juicing very early so maybe I'm a tad behind

Reps to you for getting the most out of your body naturally and doing your research before starting AAS.