Bench suffering during a cut???

[ollie78]

First and foremost; let me state that I do train primarily for strength before any other aspect of my goals. However, I do prefer to maintain a low bodyfat percentage.

I recently decided to push my weight up from 170lbs. to within the area of 200lbs. I am currently on a very slow cut(about 1 to 2lbs. a week). I am still getting somewhere in the area of above 2500cals. day and I am cutting carbs, with the exception to pre and post training(100+ preworkout, 30+ post workout).

I have managed to maintain my strength in nearly every lift---and I have even managed to increase some of my lifts during my cut(which is not uncommon for me). Unfortunately, I always loose strength with my bench every time that I do cut.

Does anyone know why it is that this is happening? And does anyone know how I can prevent this?

[isaku900]

because you're losing weight and training on reduced calories...

something is gonna suffer.

[Entkommen115]

First and foremost; let me state that I do train primarily for strength before any other aspect of my goals. However, I do prefer to maintain a low bodyfat percentage.

I recently decided to push my weight up from 170lbs. to within the area of 200lbs. I am currently on a very slow cut(about 1 to 2lbs. a week). I am still getting somewhere in the area of above 2500cals. day and I am cutting carbs, with the exception to pre and post training(100+ preworkout, 30+ post workout).

I have managed to maintain my strength in nearly every lift---and I have even managed to increase some of my lifts during my cut(which is not uncommon for me). Unfortunately, I always loose strength with my bench every time that I do cut.

Does anyone know why it is that this is happening? And does anyone know how I can prevent this?

The bench press is the one lift that is affected most by body weight. You will often find many lifters saying that if they want to increase their bench they should increase their body weight. I find this to be very true. If my body weight goes up 20 pounds there is no way in hell my bench will stay at the same number (yes my bench suffers with weight loss).

Basically the more weight you have behind whatever it is you are pushing the easier it is going to move. Many people see improvements on their squat with weight gain as well. Deadlift on the other hand sometimes improves with weight loss.

Basically what I am saying is you are not alone. This is a very common problem when lifters decide to cut.

[Entkommen115]

because you're losing weight and training on reduced calories...

something is gonna suffer.

How dare you take my first response spot!

[isaku900]

How dare you take my first response spot!

because i'm bigger and stronger than you.

[Entkommen115]

because i'm bigger and stronger than you.

Ouch......my pride......

[ollie78]

The bench press is the one lift that is affected most by body weight. You will often find many lifters saying that if they want to increase their bench they should increase their body weight. I find this to be very true. If my body weight goes up 20 pounds there is no way in hell my bench will stay at the same number (yes my bench suffers with weight loss).

Basically the more weight you have behind whatever it is you are pushing the easier it is going to move. Many people see improvements on their squat with weight gain as well. Deadlift on the other hand sometimes improves with weight loss.

Basically what I am saying is you are not alone. This is a very common problem when lifters decide to cut.

I agree with your logic and I figured that this was the case. I just cannot understand how I am maintiaining every other lift and even seeing some increases with other lifts and my bench is dropping so drastically.

The main reason that I did decide to push my bodyweight up was primarily for my bench press, which has always been far behind most of my lifts ever since I started training.

I guess I'll just finish this cut and shoot for 220lb. bodyweight on a slow bulk over the next couple of years or so.

[isaku900]

Ouch......my pride......

awww...

*hugs*

(no homo)

[Entkommen115]

awww...

*hugs*

(no homo)

And now I go to Chipotle because at least it still loves me.

[erikhutson]

are you on creatine or taking any preworkout formula like white flood? I find those to work the best while cutting to keep my energy levels up.

Also are you doing any exercises before you get to bench? Im doing starting strength and I find on my bench days I have to do that first before heavy squats or my lifts suffer alot.

[ollie78]

are you on creatine or taking any preworkout formula like white flood? I find those to work the best while cutting to keep my energy levels up.

Also are you doing any exercises before you get to bench? Im doing starting strength and I find on my bench days I have to do that first before heavy squats or my lifts suffer alot.

My preworkout consists of kre-alkalyn, white flood, purple wraath, waxymaize and trehelose starches, sugar and whey/egg protein.

I usually go right to the bench on bench day and I have cut my training to only 3 days a week since I am cutting and still lifting heavy.

[Dennis8269]

I have been bodybuilding for years and now after meeting a world recorder holder in Bench Have decided to take a stab at it. I did my first try at max bench with a sigle ply shirt on a pressed 500 lbs after pyrimiding up . I know that with bodybuilding I would kick my protein intake up to about 400 grams at 240 to maintain my strength. I have been cuting over the last 4 months starting at 263. Since I didnt do a max bench until I hit 242 I am not sure how strong I would have been at 263. I am sure that the protein has helped me maintain all my muscle mass and strength.

[TheFace4423]

I am sure that the protein has helped me maintain all my muscle mass and strength.

This!

While I am no where near as big as this guy. I have maintained my bench, squat, and dead, all while doing the slow cut that I'm on (going to compete at 181) ... actually scratch that I've maintained my bench and squat while improving my dead (went sumo and realized I don't suck at it).

Keep protein intake high, get carbs before you lift, and if you're not opposed to it take some caffeine pre-workout...

Also take the time to really focus on your bench form while you're cutting, you may lose some bench strength but might pick up some weight in proper form.

[jeff00z28]

ya it happens. squat suffers the most imo. i havent been eating enough protein on my cut tho, i hate to make excuses but i dont have time, not only to eat but to constantly duece