Training legs while cutting

[Tyler Durden]

I typically train legs heavy (max 6-8 reps), moderate volume (8-10 sets quads), and low frequency (1x/week) with decent results.

I recently started cutting; i.e., lowering my calories, increasing my cardio and adding t3 (50mcg/ed) and clen/eca (alternating).

I've noticed that my prior style of leg training has become a nightmare. On the one hand, my squat weight has gone down over 50lbs and even that is a real struggle.

I think this is due primarily to the increased cardio.

Do any of you change up your leg training to compensate for the changes which occur during a cut? I thinking of lowering my weights and increasing my reps to the 15-20 range a la Chris Cormier.

 

[AWN2004]

I competed in November and dieted for 16 weeks for that show. I kept the weights as heavy as I could with the same rep range. I didn't notice a drastic reduction in (leg) strength honestly. I would try to stay as heavy as possible. My whole take on dieting is you want to give your body the best reason to keep as much muscle around as humanly possible. I know, I know, I just stated a very obvious fact when anyone wants to diet. However, if heavy weights built your legs, in an environment with reduced calories and increased activity levels, you don't want to give your body a reason to let go of any of that hard earned muscle. So with that said, I'd stay as heavy as possible. If you were squatting 405 for 10 reps and now you lowered it by 50lbs, I'd still try to get as many reps with 405 as I could and maybe rest pause your set to hit your rep range. Just my opinion on this but I wouldn't lower anything on purpose. Keep it heavy even if you have to drag out the set.

 

[MAINEVENT]

If your dieting correctly only the last 4 weeks or so should you see a reduction in your weight training poundages.

Like AWN said....if training heavy has allowed you to build up decent leg size then stick with that.

 

[mountaindog1]

You also might want to look at the intensity of your cardio...cardiovascular endurance work done with some intensity compromise strength and power to a degree...just my 2cents

JM