"too swole"..do rep ranges and sets truly matter if an athlete is in a caloric deficit??

AstrelONE

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Pretty straight forward question meant specifically to address the idea of getting too bulky in certain muscle groups that it would put a competitor in a higher weight class, or cause enough hypertrophy to hinder range of motion/body mechanics, etc. We hear about it all the time on the training section on various forums about staying away from "body building" rep ranges, but does it truly matter if a fighter/competitive athlete is on a cut anyway?
 
Pretty straight forward question meant specifically to address the idea of getting too bulky in certain muscle groups that it would put a competitor in a higher weight class, or cause enough hypertrophy to hinder range of motion/body mechanics, etc. We hear about it all the time on the training section on various forums about staying away from "body building" rep ranges, but does it truly matter if a fighter/competitive athlete is on a cut anyway?

Honestly? You aren't really going to gain if you're in a caloric deficit. The whole "don't train like a bodybuilder" thing for this reason is an old myth.

Should an athlete train like a bodybuilder? No - certainly not for all of their programme, at least, same as athletes shouldn't train the same way a powerlifter would, unless their sport is actually powerlifting.

"Bodybuilding" rep ranges shouldn't be your main rep ranges to work in as they're inefficient rep ranges to work in for more important qualities, such as power, maximal strength, or muscular endurance, and a full bodybuilding split is a lot of work- work which detracts from the amount of work you can put into other things, such as technical/skill development, cardiovascular endurance, etc. However, they are a great rep range to perform assistance exerices and corrective exercises within. There's a lot that can be taken from bodybuilding in terms of muscular balance/symmetry, learning the "mind-muscle connection", and other things that can carry over.

No, athletes shouldn't train like bodybuilders, but not because "hypertrophy make bulky no good", but more because *they're athletes*. They have their own specific needs, demands, and their training should reflect it.
 
Honestly? You aren't really going to gain if you're in a caloric deficit. The whole "don't train like a bodybuilder" thing for this reason is an old myth.

Should an athlete train like a bodybuilder? No - certainly not for all of their programme, at least, same as athletes shouldn't train the same way a powerlifter would, unless their sport is actually powerlifting.

"Bodybuilding" rep ranges shouldn't be your main rep ranges to work in as they're inefficient rep ranges to work in for more important qualities, such as power, maximal strength, or muscular endurance, and a full bodybuilding split is a lot of work- work which detracts from the amount of work you can put into other things, such as technical/skill development, cardiovascular endurance, etc. However, they are a great rep range to perform assistance exerices and corrective exercises within. There's a lot that can be taken from bodybuilding in terms of muscular balance/symmetry, learning the "mind-muscle connection", and other things that can carry over.

No, athletes shouldn't train like bodybuilders, but not because "hypertrophy make bulky no good", but more because *they're athletes*. They have their own specific needs, demands, and their training should reflect it.

What a good post. Bravo.
 

Good stuff, and assuming the subject was an MMA fighter even if there was a small chance for any in shape guy to achieve some hypertrophy in a deficit it would probably be completely wiped out by all the other hi rep training they do anyways.
Extremely unlikely without special sauce.
 
When I was boxing I didn't want to move up weight classes. The simple solution to this is... don't progressive overload. Obviously watching your calories is a must so you don't put on fat. But as far as muscle.. if you put the same stress on your muscles every week without changing the weight/reps your muscles won't grow anyway.

If you're on a cut and not progressive overloading.. you'll lose weight.
 
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