The fitness industry boasts of several disciplines that consider athletes’ physical aptitude. However, their distinctions are separated by a slim line that often renders enthusiasts in a pickle. Moreover, bodybuilding and weightlifting are arguably the most popularized sports in the domain, yet many fail to distinguish between the two. Hence, bodybuilding legend, Jay Cutler strives to mark the difference with the help of his daily newsletter, Jay Mail. 

In the recent edition, the 4x Mr. Olympia highlighted the disparity among the disciplines and shared an additional set of examples that might aid bodybuilders in training with efficient strategies. Here’s what Cutler stated. 

Jay Cutler’s advice on training overload

As per the newsletter, the 49-year-old athlete indicated the prime motive of a bodybuilder, and that was not to simply lift heavier weights. “If bodybuilding is your goal, the objective isn’t to lift as much weight as possible – that is what weightlifters do,” he wrote. Additionally, he advised a potential routine of going heavier without having to add physical weights. He listed three examples for the case. 

In the first one, The quad-stomp poser noted, “Increase the negatives on every rep to 4-5 seconds, suddenly you will find the same weight much heavier.” Furthermore, his second example stated the consequence of taking a “momentary pause” after every rep that will again pose the same weight as heavier. 

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The third and final instance advised was reducing the rest period by 10 seconds. “Cut your rest periods by just 10 seconds, using the same weight and reps, and it will feel much heavier,” Cutler explained in the newsletter. His concluding statement called for a realization of achieving overload without increasing actual weights. “Can you see how you don’t always have to add more weight, to achieve overload?” it read. Likewise, the champion iterated the above-said strategy in a previous interview.  

Jay Cutler once “stomped” a bodybuilding myth

According to a 2015 interview with go6pack, Cutler revealed that the workout routine for a bodybuilder does not necessitate prioritizing heavier lifts and minimizing rest periods. “People want to judge progress only by how much they can lift. That’s absolutely backward from what bodybuilding really is,” he said. 

Besides, Cutler disclosed that bodybuilding requires a balanced composition of training and resting. Thus, he claimed, “I don’t believe that strength has anything to do with what we do [as bodybuilders].” 

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A veteran in the industry, Cutler’s expertise, and depth of knowledge can be relied upon. Moreover, his reign at the Mr. Olympia stage is evidence of his ideologies on the sport’s specifics.