5 months out cutting

[mewells]

I am really sorry if this has been a thread before (probably has) but I am really trying to figure out what would be best. To prepare for competitions and all I have always done HIIT cardio for 20 minutes. (I have so many forms of HIIT with anyone from 200 meter sprints with walking to doing jump rope stuff and such, i won't go into it). However this guy I was talking to who also does competitions was like, no no no just hit up 30 minutes of moderate cardio, just don't overdo it. I am looking to maintain or even gain a little more muscle mass if possible before I start the SERIOUS pre-contest cutting. Plain and simple question here: pre-contest with HIIT (high intensity interval training) or moderate cardio? Once again, I apologize if this is a thread somewhere else.

[AustrianOakJr]

There is no way to answer your question properly without knowing your training routine, diet, and a bit about your individual recovery ability. Everyone must find their own sweet spot for training frequency volume and intensity. HIIT cardio has many benefits and its a great way to chisel stubborn fat. However, it can take a tole on your body and it should be treated similarly to a weight training session and added to your overall volume. I tend to stay away from HIIT because I tend to beat up my lower body with two leg training sessions a week. HIIT tends to make my leg recovery suffer (even more than it already does). If you are only training legs once per week and its not a high volume session, you might do very well with HIIT cardio. And theres nothing to say you cant mix cardio styles.....for instance doing 1 HIIT and one MISS session per week.....or whatever your routine dictates.

[Rsardinia]

There is no way to answer your question properly without knowing your training routine, diet, and a bit about your individual recovery ability. Everyone must find their own sweet spot for training frequency volume and intensity. HIIT cardio has many benefits and its a great way to chisel stubborn fat. However, it can take a tole on your body and it should be treated similarly to a weight training session and added to your overall volume. I tend to stay away from HIIT because I tend to beat up my lower body with two leg training sessions a week. HIIT tends to make my leg recovery suffer (even more than it already does). If you are only training legs once per week and its not a high volume session, you might do very well with HIIT cardio. And theres nothing to say you cant mix cardio styles.....for instance doing 1 HIIT and one MISS session per week.....or whatever your routine dictates.

I agree with the HIIT sessions and the frequent leg training. Last prep I did 2 HIIT sessions a week but I only trained legs once a week. Now hitting legs 2x a week I'm definitely going to stay away from the HIIT as long as I can. I will only resort to it as a way to take my prep up a notch if fat burning stalls (which I don't think it will).

[mewells]

Thanks guys. I know what you are saying I was just trying to see what some others do. I want to change up things a little since last year's competition season and I wanted to see what others were doing. Thanks!