Thread: All heavy workouts while cutting?

another Q while we're on the topic... should you ever try to progress your lifts while cutting? or are you just looking to maintain your lifts to preserve muscle mass?

I'm a big fan of heavy, low-volume training while cutting. I've brought up lifts during these periods on numerous occasions - although not recently.

I'll add that there is certainly room in my heart for a bit of higher-rep or so-called "metabolic" work on a cut, if for no other reason than to give my joints and tendons a bit of a break - but yeah, a few days a week of the low-rep heavy stuff on a cut is prudent.

I have had success maintaining size with high intensity low volume training while on a cut, but it sure does hurt the ego when my numbers dropped.

So the volume wouldnt change from one exercise to the next in one day?

Could anyone provide an example of what I could do? Lets say I want the first exercise on a push day, Bench, to be the heaviest. What would that volume be? More so, what do the following exercises' volume look like?

Theres no stopping my numbers dropping when I cut....I think its just do you want the numbers or the cuts? I know guys who can maintain numbers and cut up.....myself, well its just not going to happen.

another question I'd like to know is if there is any benefit to taking creatine while on a cut?

Yes! Zero calories, helps you train = good.

Originally Posted by Skib

another question I'd like to know is if there is any benefit to taking creatine while on a cut?

I dont see any compelling reason to ever stop taking it

I often use this to cut, but with reduced volume:

3-5x5 for the heavy compound
2-3x8-12 for the second movement and that's it.

For example, quad dominant day looks like this:

3-5x5 squats
3x8 split squats (each side)
3x8 RDLs

If I'm feeling REALLY motivated, I might do some bicep curls or chins, but we're talking "cosmetic pump" here.

Horizontal push pull might look like this:
3-5x5 rack pulls
2x8 dumbbell rows

3-5x5 barbell bench
2x8 dumbbell bench

MAYBE 3x8 weighted crunches

If I do any cardio, it's 20 minutes start to finish at the end of the workout, possibly some interval work in the first few minutes of it.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by FishOrCutBait

I dont see any compelling reason to ever stop taking it

i'm pretty sure you're supposed to take some time off it every now and then, no?

Originally Posted by Built

I often use this to cut, but with reduced volume:

3-5x5 for the heavy compound
2-3x8-12 for the second movement and that's it.

For example, quad dominant day looks like this:

3-5x5 squats
3x8 split squats (each side)
3x8 RDLs

If I'm feeling REALLY motivated, I might do some bicep curls or chins, but we're talking "cosmetic pump" here.

Horizontal push pull might look like this:
3-5x5 rack pulls
2x8 dumbbell rows

3-5x5 barbell bench
2x8 dumbbell bench

MAYBE 3x8 weighted crunches

If I do any cardio, it's 20 minutes start to finish at the end of the workout, possibly some interval work in the first few minutes of it.

Hope this helps.

Thats exactly what I looking for. Thanks! Ill comment on this later.

Originally Posted by Built

I often use this to cut, but with reduced volume:

3-5x5 for the heavy compound
2-3x8-12 for the second movement and that's it.

For example, quad dominant day looks like this:

3-5x5 squats
3x8 split squats (each side)
3x8 RDLs

If I'm feeling REALLY motivated, I might do some bicep curls or chins, but we're talking "cosmetic pump" here.

Horizontal push pull might look like this:
3-5x5 rack pulls
2x8 dumbbell rows

3-5x5 barbell bench
2x8 dumbbell bench

MAYBE 3x8 weighted crunches

If I do any cardio, it's 20 minutes start to finish at the end of the workout, possibly some interval work in the first few minutes of it.

Hope this helps.

I just started my cut today, and this is the exact routine im using.

Thanks Built!!

So are you saying that you do a morning work out and an afternoon one? Is this to seperate cardio and weights or is it two seperate weight lifting sessions? Because being natural, doing two weight sessions a day on a cut sounds catabolic to me...

thanks built

Originally Posted by Mikey B

So are you saying that you do a morning work out and an afternoon one? Is this to seperate cardio and weights or is it two seperate weight lifting sessions? Because being natural, doing two weight sessions a day on a cut sounds catabolic to me...

One session. Weights, then cardio, then go home.
Moondog, AKIRA - good luck! Keep the protein and fat up as high as your calories allow, do a carbup from time to time as required.

Originally Posted by Skib

i'm pretty sure you're supposed to take some time off it every now and then, no?

says who?

why should we?

creatine exists in your body at all times. we are just increasing the amount of it

Originally Posted by FishOrCutBait

says who?

why should we?

i don't know that's why i'm asking?

Originally Posted by FishOrCutBait

creatine exists in your body at all times. we are just increasing the amount of it

that's not very good logic... a lot of things exist in your body at all times, doesn't mean it's safe or smart to increase the amount of it...

i'm not arguing against taking it all the time, i just genuinely want to know if its ok...

mainly i'd like to know if it maintains its effectiveness if taken all the time... or if its effectiveness decreases with chronic use...

i'd also like to know what the effects of chronic use on the kidneys are...

Originally Posted by Built

I often use this to cut, but with reduced volume:

3-5x5 for the heavy compound
2-3x8-12 for the second movement and that's it.

For example, quad dominant day looks like this:

3-5x5 squats
3x8 split squats (each side)
3x8 RDLs

If I'm feeling REALLY motivated, I might do some bicep curls or chins, but we're talking "cosmetic pump" here.

Horizontal push pull might look like this:
3-5x5 rack pulls
2x8 dumbbell rows

3-5x5 barbell bench
2x8 dumbbell bench

MAYBE 3x8 weighted crunches

If I do any cardio, it's 20 minutes start to finish at the end of the workout, possibly some interval work in the first few minutes of it.

Hope this helps.

So 5x5 would be the heaviest at first then 8-12 for the secondary movement.
Ok.
Why did you think of 8-12 on the secondary movement? Really curious. Was this the "metabolic work" you mentioned earlier?

Read the link for "Baby Got Back" - you'll see the rationale in there for the rep ranges.

Read this link about complexes, which is also mentioned in my cardio article to see about the metabolic work.

I just posted my cut-plan for this year in my blog, if you want to see how I intend to blend it all together this year.

Oh, well I ask for specifics at THIS moment cuz I am at work and those links wont work. Ill take a gander later.

I am going to the gym today and will try a ham dominant day (night) with all in mind and well see how it goes.

No problem. Good luck!

Originally Posted by FishOrCutBait

says who?

why should we?

creatine exists in your body at all times. we are just increasing the amount of it

Is that your logic?

If so, then so does test.

I recommend cycling everything.