People who have gone through cutting cycles...

[gongshow]

just a question to all of you that have completed a cutting cycle where you had a weight lifting routine solely based on toning, and not bulking...That is currently the cycle that Im on, ( I have alot of mass, but no definition) but I dont have much experience weight lifting, so I havent done much...I have been doing strictly cardio, so if anyone here could post there weight lifting routine they used when cutting, and the results they got, I would greatly appreciate it...thanx in advance

[iamdwalrus]

Bulking, cutting same thing I stick to compound movements. the volume and poundage are a bit lower when I'm cutting though. I stick to the basics Squats, barbell rows, dumbell presses, only time I use machines is when it's my last exercise and i do drop sets and negatives. How long have you been training? Check out the Competitors corner on this board Maki Riddington might be able to design a programme specifically to your needs.

[YellowJacket]

Me too. I dont understand why people lower volume to "tone" while cutting. You cant still gain a good amount of lean muscle even if you're bulking. I stick to heavy, compound movements, 6-8 reps per set, balls to the wall. Its a challenge to me to see if I can maintain my strength or even increase it even though Im at a caloric deficiency.

[Jorta]

Agree with the above posts. When cutting I lift compound movements and as heavy as I can. You have to encourage your body to keep those muscles!

[x|Fluid|x]

I use all the same movements as when bulking but I take only 30sec rest between sets, and I do either a high rep set(15-18 reps) or a long drop set at the end of each body body part, this works great for me, I'm 8%bf cardio free.

~Fluid

[alwayzgrowing]

bulking and cutting are same routine. itz all about diet to cut.

[jack hust]

it is all about diet and cardio

[gongshow]

thanks for all the replies
so the actual workout doesnt matter. its all in the diet when cutting?

[Miracle Man]

Originally posted by jack hust
it is all about diet and cardio

Ditto....You are what you eat!

[Stupid Biotch]

Well..the workout DOES matter. I mean you have to work your muscles with heavy enough weight to maintain them....and enough sets and exercises to give them good shape. But once you have that part down, which is the easiest part...then diet and cardio are the majority of your results. I like what Miracle man said...."you are what you eat."
Hang out in the training and nutrition forums and you'll learn a lot.

[BullFX]

Originally posted by Stupid Biotch
Well..the workout DOES matter. I mean you have to work your muscles with heavy enough weight to maintain them....and enough sets and exercises to give them good shape. But once you have that part down, which is the easiest part...then diet and cardio are the majority of your results. I like what Miracle man said...."you are what you eat."
Hang out in the training and nutrition forums and you'll learn a lot.

so its not a good idea to increase the reps ( ligher weight) when cuting? as some sojest

[alwayzgrowing]

Originally posted by BullFX
so its not a good idea to increase the reps ( ligher weight) when cuting? as some sojest

by increasing the amount of repz, you will work longer, and burn more calories at that point in time. but your will lose muclse mass if you stress your muscles less than you usually have. so in the end, you end up losing some BMR, which meanz you miss burning calories while at rest

[GBAGH]

I wouldn't change anything from bulking to cutting. Maybe drop the weight you use a little bit if your strength is down. You should be more concerned with cardio if you want to tone.

[Small]

If I try to lift the same way when I'm cutting I would very quickly injure myself. I'm much weaker on calories restricted diet, and don't want to take a chance. I usually go for higher reps, and as I loose weight my endurance increases, and workout volume increases.
Of course, key is not the routine, but diet.

[whitetail]

I read some where that arnold incorporated low reps in cutting phases to cause "RMT" thats, resting muscle tension to give that flexed pumped up look even when relaxed.