Cutting = bye-bye strength

[Slyder190]

I made an attempt to do 5x5 while cutting, and would've been cool even just using the same weight every week as I figured not going to failure on every rep was okay as it wouldn't drain my CNS as much, but I can't even use the same weight from week to week. What a huge difference diet makes. Even when taking in SOME carbs. Oh well. At least i can have some fun switching up exercises, doing movements I don't normally do while bulking.

 

[KillahBee]

cutting sucks. I have decided to bust my ass cutting so that I can start the fun of bulking and breaking PR's ASAP!

 

[xevius]

Yep cutting kills my strength too.

 

[BOOEY]

If you're a natty, use creatine. It really helps salvage strength while cutting.

 

[Tweakle]

for the first 4 weeks I was fine but now my strength is starting to plateau despite a weekly carb-up. How much are you cutting cals by?

 

[Tom Treutlein]

Don't use 5x5 entirely for cutting. Drop the volume. Maybe 2-3x5 to maintain strength, and 1x8-10 for an accessory exercise. Your body can maintain its size much easier than it can actually add to it.

 

[Tweakle]

totally agree with this, you're not lifting weights to burn calories so dropping sets shouldn't make any difference to fat loss (unless you're doing weirder style volume). losing a couple of the worksets should prevent you from getting overtrained or injured with the reduced calorie intake & helps keep the intensity up

 

[Dieharder]

im cutting right now also, strength gains havent completely ceased, but its definitely slowed down. im still trying to make moderate strength gains while cutting, but its nothing like when i was bulking.

 

[SoreArms]

If you're a natty, use creatine. It really helps salvage strength while cutting.

I find this helps tremendously. I discovered this when I did a CKD and saw that my strength and overall intensity were low. Started using creatine pre WO and it helped a lot, not 100% as before but way better than without.

 

[Slyder190]

Last thing I need when cutting is creatine to make me hold any water. I appreciate the replies though. And Tommy T - definately food for thought.