It’s competition time and you know what that means.
It’s that time of year when all the pros will have to start the delicate and, sometimes, arduous task of weight cutting. This isn’t the kind of weight cutting that a boxer or mixed martial artist will have to put themselves through. For bodybuilders that process is a bit different.
A bodybuilder isn’t looking to simply cut water weight like a fighter. They want to cut their body fat and maintain their muscle mass that they’ve worked hard to acquire during the bulking season. Now there are differing ideologies about going about that process, but there are some tips that any bodybuilder should live by.
Tip #1: Cutting is about timing
Whether you have a competition coming up or you simply want to start getting shredded for the summer, cutting is as much about timing things out as it is about your calorie intake. Depending on how much fat you’re looked to shed you should start the process of cutting understanding that it will take time, 2-4 months in some cases, until you get to your desired weight and shape. It’s a game of patience so play it accordingly.
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Tip #2: Don’t starve yourself
Speaking of calorie intake there’s one thing that you shouldn’t do and that’s cutting too many carbs out of your diet. No one lost weight and kept it off by drastically lowering their calorie intake in one shot. The chances of damaging your metabolism is pretty high and ultimately, once your diet returns to normal, you’ll end up putting back on all that body fat you worked so hard to lose.
Tip #3: Too much cardio is no good
That’s right, it’s the one thing that every bodybuilder keeps in mind and it’s never been truer when discussing weight cutting. Too much cardio will only end up killing your gains and burning away at your muscle. Don’t cut cardio out of the routine completely, but there’s no need to run ten miles unless you’re getting ready for a marathon.
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Tip #4: High Intensity Interval Training
A great way to get lean and build muscle mass is by incorporating more HIIT into your training program. The more muscle you pack on the more body fat will become a thing of the past. Upping the intensity on your regular routine will only pay dividends in the end. Shorter resting periods in between sets are the ticket to getting in that lean form you’re looking for.
Try out these tips and let us know you progress in the comments below and be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
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