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Anonymous
Sup mis/fit/s,

Anyone have any advice for the whole bulk, cut, tone thing? I'm currently in the middle of week four of bulking and putting on muscle. I lift four times a week, giving at least two days rest between muscle groups, three sets to failure.

Is 6 weeks of bulking, 6 weeks of cutting, then 6 weeks of toning a good schedule? I plan to limit my diet and start running/rowing once bulking is done, and then start on higher reps with lower weight to tone. I'm 6' tall, 175 lbs. as of now with decent muscle tone. I'm just trying to get a toned look, and might try for more mass later on in the year.
>> Anonymous
Hmmm...

I think your supposed to bulk better if you don't work to failure. That's more of an endurance thing. What you need is 3 sets with reps under 8 per major muscle group. What you're doing now is actually really good for getting ready for running and especially rowing IF you add some cardio.

I would take some creatine (ZOMG BAD) on days when you work out, only. And only take it right before you work out. This helps with the bulking. For cutting, drink plenty of water and add in some more cardio. For toning lots of reps, lighter weight.

You can do some endurance stuff working to failure when when you cut and tone.

Also, get acquainted to heavy squats and dead lifts as they build a ton of mass. Also power cleans.
>> Anonymous
I already do a little cardio every time I hit the gym. Usually just 4K on the erg at a moderate pace, burning around 275 calories at a 165 HR. I have a hard time not doing more. Usually I go for 10K 5/6 times a week with 3 or 4 hard sprints throughout the go.

I'm not really getting ready for anything, it's mostly for aesthetics. If anything, I'd like to increase my vertical leap since I plan on joining the school volleyball team next year (LOL D-III). Right now I just do calve raises, three sets to near-failure with a 60 lb. dumbbell in each arm. Usually 25, then 22, then 18.