Gaining muscle while cutting?

[1_more_rep]

Hello everyone...long time no post. I hope everyone is fairing well. I currently attend UCSD and we have a kickass gym there and i have been lifting regularly for about 3 months. I am lifting more than i ever have for every part of my body =]. However, I still am not lifting at the point where i feel i should be. I am 5'11, 185-190 lbs. I started benching the bar about a year and a half ago...until i got up to benching 35 (lbs) on each side (or 115 total). Since then, and lifting regularly, i'm benching 160 lbs for a few reps. I'm curling 30-35 pounds on each arm as my MAX weight. My triceps are pretty weak still.

I have a few questions i was hoping some of you could answer for me...

this is my current training routine:

day 1 - chest/tri
warm up walking .1 miles...then jogging until 1 mile
flat bench - 4 sets of 10, 8, 6, 4
inclined bench - 3 set of 10, 8, 6
declined bench (some days) - 3 sets of 10, 8, 6
tricep overhead extensions - 3 sets of 8, 6, 4
close grip bench - 3 sets of 8
tricep pull down with rope? - 3 sets of 10
dips - 3 sets of 8

day 2 - back/bi
warm up walking .1 mi...then jogging until 1 mile
the exercise where 1 knee is on a flat bench while 1 leg is extended and you pull up the dumbell to your chest on with each arm separately - 3 sets of 10
lat pull - 3 sets of 10
preacher curls - 3 sets of 10
seated normal curls - 3 sets of 10
low row - 3 sets of 10

day 3 - shoulders
.1 mi walking...jog until 1 mile
shoulder press (seated) - 3 sets of 10
shrugs - 3 sets of 10
military press (standing) - 3 sets of 10
barbell upright row - 3 sets of 10
dumbell front raises - 3 sets of 10
dumbell side raises - 3 sets of 10

day 4 - light day - legs
.1 mi walk...jog until 1 mi
squats - 3 sets of 10
leg press - 3 sets of 10
standing calf raises - 4 sets of 20

day 5 - repeat cycle

I fit in some type of ab exercise everyday to my routine...whether it be 2 sets of 20 crunches or 3 sets of leg lifts or side turners or etc.

my question is i want to look much more toned since i see guys like my brother who curl the same as me but have way better looking biceps...he is 6'2 and weighs about 185.

My abs also never show practically...am i doing anything wrong by working them out lightly everyday? I thought running a little bit before i lift would be the answer to that problem but it hasn't really worked thus far.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[beerdrinker]

Well, obviously you need to add in more CURLZ!!!

Seriously though, you have over 1400 posts on the forum and you don't seem to have picked up anything useful along the way.

If you want to look toned, it's more about how much body fat you have than how much muscle you have (although you have to have SOMETHING).

Your brother looks more toned than you because he's 3 inches taller and weighs the same amount as you. That's likely all due to body fat % since he's no stronger than you are.

 

[1_more_rep]

Well, obviously you need to add in more CURLZ!!!

Seriously though, you have over 1400 posts on the forum and you don't seem to have picked up anything useful along the way.

If you want to look toned, it's more about how much body fat you have than how much muscle you have (although you have to have SOMETHING).

Your brother looks more toned than you because he's 3 inches taller and weighs the same amount as you. That's likely all due to body fat % since he's no stronger than you are.

i've picked up lots of useful stuff i honestly think id still be 200 pounds with man breasts if i didnt come to EF.com. My only concern is i'm lifting less than people who are spending way less time in the gym than me...it seems unfair but i guess genetics plays a big role too =/.

why hasn't the running really helped the BF situation? everyone seems to tell me to look toned you have to run more..

 

[Rabid_Goose]

Toned look = 90% diet.

What does your diet look like, how many cals you eating a day?

 

[beerdrinker]

i've picked up lots of useful stuff i honestly think id still be 200 pounds with man breasts if i didnt come to EF.com. My only concern is i'm lifting less than people who are spending way less time in the gym than me...it seems unfair but i guess genetics plays a big role too =/.

Fair enough. You should be concerned that people spending less time in the gym are lifting more than you are. However, don't blame this on genetics, blame it on your routine. Your routine wouldn't put muscle on but the most genetically gifted juiced West African. Do compound lifts, heavy weight, low reps, and you can spend less time in the gym too. Get more bang for your buck. I rarely do bicep curls, but I can curl more now than I ever have before. Know why? Heavy bent over rows.

 

[SgtSlaughter]

The foods and amounts you eat will determine how you look for the most part.

You have a ridiculous training set up. You could spend far less time in the gym and get better results, and be stronger.

20lbs of shit in a 2lb bag = spreading yourself thin.

 

[crossy]

And before anyone else says it, take a look at the sticky at the top and check out the 5X5 routines many people have had great success using them.

Crossy