Cut routine - Need help

[Brad224]

I hate asking these types of questions, but I've never been on a formal "cut" before and need some help from the experts. I???ve been on a 5-month bulk and it went well ??? I gained 30 pounds, added about an inch and a half to arms & calves, two inches to quads & chest. All in all I???m pleased with the results, but it???s time to get defined, trim the unwanted fat and prepare for a martial arts tournament I have coming up.

I???ve been doing a 3-day split routine: M ??? Chest, Triceps, Shoulders; W ??? Abs, legs; Sa ??? Back, biceps. I get 3 ??? 4 hours of cardio a week from my Tae Kwon Do classes. I???m 36, 6??? tall and currently at 215. Those are the facts, here???s the questions:

1) What kind of daily calorie count should I shoot for on a cut?
2) Would it hurt to add one more day of cardio (about 30 minutes) in the form of jogging/wind sprints (mainly for cardio-vascular benefits)?
3) Most important question ??? What???s the best type of workout routine for someone wanting to cut but still keep all the gains I???ve made over the last several months? Do I switch to a HST/HIT type program or should I stick with the split routines I currently have worked up?

I definitely want to keep the strength gains I???ve made, and if at all possible, continue to push them up even on a cut. I don???t want to maintain or decrease in the amount of weight I???m using, I do know that much.

Thanks for the help, gang!

 

[Brad224]

Ok, after seeing the thread to Isbe (sorry for not looking first) I have it kicked down to just one question:

What kind of workout routine do you suggest for a cut? Do I stick with my split, go to HIT, try something else? Ideas?

 

[P-funk]

I think your split looks good for a cut and I say if it is still working for you why bother changing it. I don't think you need to add any cardio either since you get so much from your martial arts practice. It seems like you are pretty active so if you clean up your diet real well you should have no problem cutting down to were you want to be.

 

[Fit Freak]

I would increase the number of workouts....when you're cutting you MAY find it challenging to train that many bodyparts at once while maintaing a high level of intensity.

On the other hand if you like what you're doing...keep it.

 

[Bear]

Add more cardio?

Forget about it!

I'd stop the cardio your doing now if I were you.

Your martial arts training and weight training is enough, unless you want to start losing muscle as well as fat.

The way you train isn't as important as how you eat.

You need to get your diet in order.
Learn the foods to eat and the foods to avoid.

Here's a good post to start your quest for nutritional knowledge:

Cutting Meal Plan