What is the best workout for cutting?

For effective cutting (reducing body fat while preserving muscle mass), the Mind Pump Podcast has discussed various approaches:

1. Supersets and Pumping Reps:

   • Temporarily switching to lighter weights and focusing on pumping reps can be beneficial when calories are low, as it helps maintain muscle activation without the stress of heavy lifting. This approach is useful for mentally dealing with reduced strength during calorie deficit 1.

2. Heavy Lifting:

   • Contrary to what might seem intuitive, maintaining heavy lifting during a cut can be highly effective. It keeps the muscle-building signals strong, helping to preserve muscle mass even in a caloric deficit 2.

3. Trigger Sessions:

   • Incorporating short, frequent bursts of exercise, known as trigger sessions, can help stimulate the muscles and improve energy levels without requiring prolonged, intense workouts. This strategy is particularly useful for adding activity without overtraining 3.
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       1

       Pump vs. Strength

       00:58:26
       
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       2

       Heavy Lifting Insights

       01:06:36
       
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       3

       Energizing Cuts

       00:50:02
       
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       4

       Strength During Cuts

       01:08:10
       
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       5

       Training Strategy Misconceptions

       00:20:12
       

4. Combining Muscle-Building Signal with Novelty:

   • The novelty of switching workout routines (e.g., from strength to hypertrophy) plays a critical role. A new stimulus helps the muscles respond better, which is vital for preserving muscle during a cut 4.

5. Balanced Approach:

   • It’s important to not overdo the volume or intensity just to burn calories. Instead, focusing on a balanced approach that allows for adequate muscle stimulation and recovery is crucial. Overtraining can be a real risk during a cut due to reduced energy from lower calorie intake 5.

Overall, the best workout for cutting will involve a mix of strategies that keep the muscles engaged and allow for recovery, adapted to how your body responds to different types of training. High-intensity and volume are not always necessary and can even be counterproductive if not managed carefully.