The number of sets one needs to engage in for each exercise has always been a topic of confusion for gymgoers, but not anymore. The four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler is here to help you out. 

Cutler recently took to his Instagram account and posted a video addressing this question, and shared the approach he followed during his prime. It’s been a long time since the Quadstomp retired, but despite this fact, he still trains to this day, following his past approach. Let’s delve deeper into the matter and find out the number of sets Cutler used to do in his prime.

Cutler focused on three to four movements

The four-time Mr. Olympia, with a behemoth physique, started his training at the young age of eighteen and has since followed a simple approach. Cutler primarily focused on two or three movements and set a target of twenty sets for those movements. He doesn’t count the warmup and feel sets of his workout. But there is more to it than just doing sets.

The four-time Mr. Olympia mass monster emphasizes working on different angles and adding variations to your workout. Cutler divided his number of sets into small sub-sets. He recommended doing three to four sets of one movement and then shifting the focus to variations. Cutler thus aims for at least five different movements while hitting any body part. 

In conclusion, Cutler explained, “Four sets each, three sets each, sometimes working in more or less, but around 20 sets a body part, no matter what the body part is where there’s biceps, legs, back, chest, shoulders, arms, it’s all the same.”

While Cutler has now shed light on the optimal number of sets, he had also touched upon the number of reps one needed to engage in while hitting an abs workout.

Cutler recommends doing your ab workouts “every other day”

A previous video uploaded to the Quadstomp’s Instagram highlights the number of reps he follows to maintain abs, even at his age. Cutler explained, “I’ve always talked about my eight to twelve repetition range, but for abs, I’m going to suggest 15 to 20 because we want to just tighten up the core. I prefer to do abs every other day.“

Along with the number of reps, the mass monster shared some of his favorite abs exercises to strengthen the core. He penned down a few names, including hanging leg raises, crunches, and kneeling cable crunches. The four-time Mr. Olympia mentioned that this approach helped him win all the prominent championships in his life. 

As Cutler reveals how it is important to follow a certain pattern regarding the number of sets done for each body part, will you incorporate this approach into your fitness routine? Let us know in the comments.