5x5 for cutting??

[kiosk]

I am entering a cutting phase, need to lose about 10lbs body fat, is the 5x5 still an acceptable routine for this? I always thought higher reps were better for fat loss (like a 3x12 routine), I wanna keep as much muscle as possible too obviously....

 

[Guinness5.0]

Cutting= caloric defecit. IMHO training matters less than diet when cutting. I've been cutting lately with a 5x5-esque program and have been decently successful with it (down a notche on my belt without any perceptible muscle loss). Don't expect the type of strength gain you may have gotten while eating like crazy, but it is certainly not unheard of to improve strength while cutting.

 

[HaZaRDouZ]

agreed with guiness, alter the diet, not the workout for "cutting".

 

[kiosk]

Ok, I can agree with that also, but do you go with a sort of "maintanance" 5x5 routine? I certainly cannot try to do a load and expect to add 10lbs to my squats like when bulking for mass when I am trying to lose fat.....

 

[Guinness5.0]

Ok, I can agree with that also, but do you go with a sort of "maintanance" 5x5 routine? I certainly cannot try to do a load and expect to add 10lbs to my squats like when bulking for mass when I am trying to lose fat.....

Sure you can. Run it as proposed, but you may not bump the weights as much- they make 2.5 lb plates ya know . I bet you'll surprise yourself (just don't go nuts with the diet- like eating 1000 cals/day or something crazy like that).

 

[blut wump]

I'm doing a periodized program and am getting heavier while losing fat. I think it's down to how much heart you can give to what you're doing and how portly you are to begin with.

 

[kiosk]

ok you guys taking me for a spin now .....a lot people here saying there is no way to add muscle while losing fat.....unless AAS, which I am not on.....so how can I expect to bump up weights if I am under eating?
I think I gonna be worried enough trying not to lose any muscle....let alone get stronger.

 

[Guinness5.0]

You can get stronger while cutting. SOMETIMES people lose fat and gain muscle at the same time, but it isn't common and usually hapens when someone's got a fairly high bf% to start with.

 

[blut wump]

I'm probably somewhere around high teens bodyfat. At these levels it's no problem losing fat and gaining muscle. Probably anywhere down to around 15% it's no biggie. I've gained over the past three weeks a small handful of pounds. My waistline has reduced despite what I hope to be some growth there from deadlifting, squatting and abs work. My wife says I'm looking both bigger and slimmer.

It can be a juggling act with the food but I don't count calories and I'd be astonished if any BBer were to call my diet 'clean'. I just try to eat sensibly and avoid feeling hungry. No aas needed beyond what I can persuade my own body to produce. I'll also happily hit the kebabs after a gruelling session.

 

[kiosk]

I'm probably somewhere around high teens bodyfat. At these levels it's no problem losing fat and gaining muscle. Probably anywhere down to around 15% it's no biggie. I've gained over the past three weeks a small handful of pounds. My waistline has reduced despite what I hope to be some growth there from deadlifting, squatting and abs work. My wife says I'm looking both bigger and slimmer.

It can be a juggling act with the food but I don't count calories and I'd be astonished if any BBer were to call my diet 'clean'. I just try to eat sensibly and avoid feeling hungry. No aas needed beyond what I can persuade my own body to produce. I'll also happily hit the kebabs after a gruelling session.

well thats pretty close to me...I am bout 17% BF, want get down to 12% or so. I dont count calories either, just try to eat right and a often. Although in the past low carb has done great for me, I am going to try it again here in this cutting trym, which would be only my second....
what routine are you following now?

 

[blut wump]

Here's my journal for the current routine:
http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=416909

Sorry, but I waffle a lot.