Clarification needed....

[swordfish151]

OK, this might sound stupid but i really need clarification (in lamens terms) why its not ok to lift heavy (or train to failure) while cutting? can someone break this down for me???

 

[swordfish151]

^

 

[Lowest]

It IS perfectly ok bro, I don't know why anyone would say not to. Actually, when cutting, it's better to go as heavy as you can to help preserve muscle. That doesn't mean necessarily maxing out or stupid-heavy weights, but definitely go to failure. When cutting, you tend to be a little weaker and have less endurance, so handling heavy weights can become more dangerous. I don't think that's a reason not to keep lifting heavy as you can though. Cut down on your volume maybe, but not your weights. Heavy weights keeps you big.

 

[swordfish151]

It IS perfectly ok bro, I don't know why anyone would say not to. Actually, when cutting, it's better to go as heavy as you can to help preserve muscle. That doesn't mean necessarily maxing out or stupid-heavy weights, but definitely go to failure. When cutting, you tend to be a little weaker and have less endurance, so handling heavy weights can become more dangerous. I don't think that's a reason not to keep lifting heavy as you can though. Cut down on your volume maybe, but not your weights. Heavy weights keeps you big.

thats what i thought..im cutting now but i lift heavy every time i train! i feel alot tighter and bigger!!! somewhere i read that it wasnt a good idea to train heavy while cutting

 

[Lowest]

It's not a good idea to push it too hard, b/c you're more likely to get injured when you have less fat and water on you, and you're lower on energy. But I definitely still try to lift heavy when I cut, I just do one less set per exercise.

 

[wellbilt]

always train hard wether cutting or bulking just add more cardio and cleaner diet to cut but still lift hard just dont over due it

 

[satchboogie]

always train hard wether cutting or bulking just add more cardio and cleaner diet to cut but still lift hard just dont over due it

well said!

 

[idcbp]

Bros are right about always training hard. Some people confuse the act of overtraining with the act of training hard. Simply put, you should avoid doing unneccesary sets while cutting, but interestingly the best way to limit your output and still effectively train is too go with maximum intensity. Its like a golf swing where they tell you to always swing with the same intensity. You alter other factors (as you alter workout routines) to fit you immediate goals, but never the swing (or intensity with which you train) itself.

 

[Bulldog_10]

Well, I think what people mean to tell you is that the best way to cut would be to use relatively high volume and lower intensity. Not that you "shouldn't" lift heavy while cutting.

It's been pretty much proven that, everything being equal, high volume/intermediate intensity produces the best changes in LBM and bf%.