Opinions: Best workout while dieting.

[Him1]

Better while dieting(to preserve max. muscle mass)? High Volume or High Intensity?

Last spring/summer, while on my diet, I had good success w/ high volume training(through diet got to 7-8% bf, and was real seperated), ie 9-12 sets per larger bodypart(back legs, chest), 6-9 for smaller bodypart(arms, shoulders). I just started my diet again for this year, and I plan on doing Mentzer/Dorian Yates'ish style training. Does anyone think this style training preserves more muscle while in a calorie deficit?

 

[AlbinoAssassin]

I actually think that short brief workouts that stimulate and not annihilate are better when you are cutting. It's really easy to do too much on a diet, especially if you are doing considerable amounts of cardio. That doesn't mean 15 minute workouts maybe closer to 45. Use less rest between sets and keep moving. Keep your heart rate up and keep pumping. Hell with walking around talking and looking at skirts (okay, maybe that's okay). My point is get in there and bust your ass and keep the tempo up. Long workouts when dieting will get you catabolic in a hurry when you have limited glycogen. Hope this helped!

 

[casualbb]

The best bulking routine is also the best cutting routine. Why? Both growing muscle while overeating and saving muscle while undereating require a strong growth stimulus.

That being said, you will probably have a bit less energy when dieting, so the only change I'd advise (if you already feel you have a good program), is a cutting back in the number of sets.

-casualbb

 

[JoBu]

I switch to a two-way split and do it in a circuit training fashion. Minimal time between sets and exercises...keep the HR up. sets of 12-15.

JoBu