Hello everyone. After being lazy for a long time , I have finally started my cutting phase (1 month into it). I must say that this forum and Mr Stone has been instrumental in my progress so far and I do not believe I would have even thought about taking this life style change without you guys. So for this I Thank all of you.

Now to the question. During this (cutting) phase, do I need to worry about increasing weights in sets from time to time? Or should I just try to make sure that I'm not decreasing the weights? Is it even possible to increase weights during cutting? Isn't it same as gaining muscles? So, I guess, what I'm asking is, is it possible for me to think that I can gain some muscles during cutting?
Thanks.

Lift as hard and heavy as you can. The cutting comes from getting a caloric deficit through diet and/or cardio. But you should really alsways be lifting the same -- as heavy as you can.

On a cut, you shouldn't expect much strength gains. But that doesn't mean it's not possible or something not to shoot for. If you are new to lifting or coming off a layoff, you can gain muscle during a cut.

Lift as hard and heavy as you can. The cutting comes from getting a caloric deficit through diet and/or cardio. But you should really alsways be lifting the same -- as heavy as you can.

On a cut, you shouldn't expect much strength gains. But that doesn't mean it's not possible or something not to shoot for. If you are new to lifting or coming off a layoff, you can gain muscle during a cut.

So lifting 3 sets and betwen 10-12 reps be good when cutting?:confused:

Lift as hard and heavy as you can. The cutting comes from getting a caloric deficit through diet and/or cardio. But you should really alsways be lifting the same -- as heavy as you can.

On a cut, you shouldn't expect much strength gains. But that doesn't mean it's not possible or something not to shoot for. If you are new to lifting or coming off a layoff, you can gain muscle during a cut.

I agree 100% - if more beginners took this advice to heart there would a lot more success stories :nod:

I agree 100% - if more beginners took this advice to heart there would a lot more success stories :nod:


Wooo. Love lifting heavy so I can do this with a mix of cardio (30 mins 4x a week) hopefully ile drop the fat due to a BIG diet change aswell.

Hello everyone. After being lazy for a long time , I have finally started my cutting phase (1 month into it). I must say that this forum and Mr Stone has been instrumental in my progress so far and I do not believe I would have even thought about taking this life style change without you guys. So for this I Thank all of you.

Now to the question. During this (cutting) phase, do I need to worry about increasing weights in sets from time to time? Or should I just try to make sure that I'm not decreasing the weights? Is it even possible to increase weights during cutting? Isn't it same as gaining muscles? So, I guess, what I'm asking is, is it possible for me to think that I can gain some muscles during cutting?
Thanks.

If your relatively new to training you should have no trouble increasing the loads.

Low volume high intensity is a common training cycle when cutting IE 4-5 sets for 6-8 reps.

Beware the effects of over-training though. I fell into this trap to the tune of unexplained weight gain of about 20 pounds (couldn't figure it out.)

For me, I've found the most success and GAINS by concentrating on heavy lifting (like what's described above), but allowing plenty of rest time.

I currently do 4 sets of 6-8 on the big muscles and 4 sets of 12 on the smaller ones (shoulders, arms). Lift heavy on the big movements (chest, back). For max calorie burn, I've found good success in lifting lighter on legs, but lots of reps (ie: 5 sets of 20 on squats).

I use a 4 day split (MTTF) with one body part per day (and working one body part per week). Example...back on Mondays, then no back until the following Monday.

I've put on a lot of muscle this way while cutting fat. It seems to not over train me, and it doesn't take a ton of time each session.

Experiment a bit, and good luck, remember, we're all made differently.

I could do with doing certain muscles on certain days and make it more intense along with 30 mins of cardio 4x a week (every time I go to the gym). Are there any muscles which are better to workout with others?

Are there any muscles which are better to workout with others?

Most folks say stick with big muscle groups, chest, pull ups, squats, lunges, etc. More muscles worked, more calories burned.

Most folks say stick with big muscle groups, chest, pull ups, squats, lunges, etc. More muscles worked, more calories burned.


Ive read that sometimes you do not need to work the smaller muscles as when you do the bigger muscles such as chest it will also workout the smaller muscles around them.

Ive read that sometimes you do not need to work the smaller muscles as when you do the bigger muscles such as chest it will also workout the smaller muscles around them.

I think it's just like anything else, it depends on your own body and the response to exercise. I tried to go this route, all compound, no isolation, and it just didn't work for me as well. Now, I do a 4 day split, MT and TF, 1-2 groups per week, 3-4 sets of 8-12, depending on the day.

M-Back
T-Chest/Abs
T-Legs (high rep, as heavy as possible with high reps)
F-Shoulders and Arms

This has provided me the best growth I've ever seen, with no over-training, which has been a problem for me in the past.

I'd suggest you give it a shot on compound stuff, see how it goes, if you get the results, stick with it, if not, put the smaller groups back in.