Hello,

Some of you may know from my journal or my questions in other forums that i am cutting now as opposed to bulking which was my first plan (i am starting back after a long time away)

So my question is what people think is better:
More weight and 6-8 reps or less weight higher reps for cutting.

Since i am a begginer i was told i can get away with some level of fat loss/muscle gain at first, and to keep things heavier, but just wondering what the general consensus is.

Btw - my journal is here:
http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showthread.php?t=43730

To get an idea of where i am.

Thanks!

While you might gain some muscle in the initial stages of your cut, your main goal while cutting is to retain as much muscle mass as possible. The best way to go about doing this is to lift quite heavy. I like to shoot for failure at no more than 12 reps, and usually no less than 8, except on the last set or two. thats my opinion anywho.

I'd have a preference for something like 3x6-8 starting out though any rep range is fine so long as you can make progress consistantly with it

Once you've stuck with one for 6 weeks or so you'll be in a postition to know which changes you would like to see, be it fat loss (higher reps) or strength gain (lower reps) and adjust accordingly

I have really enjoyed 5 sets at 5 reps, with increasing the weight until that last set is HARD. I did the standard 3 sets of 10 reps during my cut, but in retrospect should have done this instead.

The difference between cutting and bulking is what you eat, not what you lift. :) Heavy and progressive lifting; you can still make gains whilst cutting, it's not easy but its doable.

Proper nutrition is key for fat loss, or LBM for that matter. Weights should be used to maintain or gain strength (lifting heavy), I try to go for more strength. If you lose strength then you are probably not eating enough. Still mix it up. Add a set of 15 to 20 after you lift heavy.

For me its easier to guage strength when I lift heavy but you can still gauge it with a lighter workout. Try to always lift more, or do more reps, then the previous workout. If you find yourself losing strength, by doing less reps or not being able to lift a previous weight, then revisit your diet.

Your goal is to gain or maintain muscle in a cut. In a bulk, it is to gain muscle. In either, avoid loss of muscle. Period, signed in blood. 8-12 reps is a prime range for muscles.

We should spend but about 10% of our exercise life in a cutting or bulking mode. Your lifetime plan should be to set up a program to maintain the body you achieve during the building phase. Don't be in a constant up and down pattern with your weight or lean mass, get and keep it in a reasonable range. Is it possible, it is one of the hardest things to achieve, but it should be our goal. I have known only a few who had the fortitude, but they are happy and healthy.:tucool:

Lift heavy on a cut, up your protein, and toss in some BCAA/EAA's. Your cuts will come from your diet