In the world of bodybuilding, few names command as much respect as Jay Cutler. A four-time Mr. Olympia champion, Jay Cutler is known for his incredible physique, intense training regimen, and meticulous attention to detail.
Recently, exercise scientist Dr. Mike Israetel took a deep dive into Jay Cutler’s training and nutrition, providing a detailed analysis and critique.
Dr. Israetel, who runs the highly successful Renaissance Periodization YouTube channel, shared his insights on what makes Jay Cutler’s training so effective and where there might be room for improvement.
Hydration Challenges
One of the first aspects Dr. Israetel examined was Jay Cutler’s struggle to stay hydrated during his intense training sessions.
Given Jay Cutler’s immense size and the high volume of his workouts, it’s no surprise that hydration is a significant challenge.
Jay Cutler himself has mentioned the difficulty of staying hydrated, even when drinking large amounts of water.
Dr. Israetel explained that this issue arises because sweat isn’t just water—it also contains electrolytes and salt, which are crucial for maintaining hydration and overall bodily function.
“Drinking water is a great way to rehydrate unless you lost a lot of sweat,” Israetel noted. “Sweat isn’t just water, there is a significant amount of salt in sweat, all sorts of different electrolytes, if you just rehydrate with regular water you don’t get them back.”
For someone like Jay Cutler, who loses a substantial amount of sweat during his workouts, simply drinking water might not be sufficient. Instead, incorporating electrolyte-rich drinks or supplements could be more effective in maintaining proper hydration levels.
Smith Machine Squats
Dr. Israetel also took a close look at Cutler’s technique during Smith machine squats, and he was highly impressed.
He praised Jay Cutler’s controlled form, noting that his high chest position helps keep the back vertical and ensures that the legs do most of the work.
This technique minimizes the risk of back injury and maximizes the effectiveness of the exercise on the targeted muscle groups.
“That’s awesome, this is great technique by the way,” Israetel said. “Fully controlled, you guys notice Jay Cutler’s chest is up really high that makes his back super vertical and makes his legs do most of the work instead of his back.”
However, Israetel did have some concerns about Cutler’s rest periods between sets.
Jay Cutler reportedly takes only 30-45 seconds of rest between sets of squats for 8-10 reps, which Dr. Israetel believes might not be practical for most people due to the cardiovascular demands it places on the body.
“I don’t know if Jay even approved this but 30-45 seconds of rest between sets of squats for 8-10 reps? That’s tough. That’s crazy cardio capacity. I would say for most people, maybe it works super well for Jay, for most people, I’d say rest longer until you get your breath back.”
Focus During Training
Dr. Israetel also evaluated Cutler’s focus throughout his workouts, distinguishing between external and internal focus.
External focus involves looking at oneself in the mirror and concentrating on the technique of the movement visually.
Internal focus, on the other hand, is about the proprioceptive sense—how the body feels during the exercise and the internal cues that guide movement.
“Let me break this down. There are kind of two types of focus you can have during lifting. There’s the external focus, looking at yourself in the mirror, looking at yourself in real life, like what you can see, and focusing on the technique of the movement by seeing what is going on,” Israetel explained. “Then there’s internal focus. One of the senses you have is the proprioceptive sense.”
Jay Cutler’s ability to switch between these types of focus likely contributes to his meticulous and effective training regimen, allowing him to maintain proper form while also being in tune with his body’s signals.
Jay Cutler Training Style Comparison
Dr. Israetel also compared Cutler’s training style to that of other bodybuilding legends, particularly Dorian Yates.
While Dorian Yates was known for pushing himself to failure in almost every set, Cutler’s approach is somewhat different.
Cutler prefers not to go as heavy and avoids training to failure. Instead, he focuses on higher volume and more sets, which still ensures that his muscles are sufficiently taxed without the extreme intensity that can lead to overtraining or injury.
“Jay likes to go not as heavy as Dorian, not really to failure, I don’t think Jay has ever trained to failure, something he said on a podcast,” Israetel noted. “But more sets, some people like to do way higher reps, some people like to do a combination. As long as you’re training with sets that are pretty tough, close to failure, three reps or close to failure.”
Overall Rating and Insights
Dr. Israetel concluded his analysis by acknowledging the value that can be extracted from studying high-profile athletes like Jay Cutler.
He emphasized that even if one doesn’t agree with every aspect of an athlete’s training regimen, there are always lessons to be learned and techniques to be appreciated.
“What I like to do with the Pros and the really really good athletes is try to extract some value from what they are doing and there’s tons of value to extract from everybody, even people I disagree with largely,” he said. “Jay Cutler is the man and is a reincarnation of John F. Kennedy out of 10. I’ll see you guys next time.”
Conclusion
Dr. Mike Israetel’s examination of Jay Cutler’s training regimen provides valuable insights into the methods and strategies that have helped Jay Cutler achieve his legendary status in bodybuilding.
From hydration challenges to impeccable technique and a balanced training style, Cutler’s approach offers lessons for athletes at all levels.
Dr. Israetel’s critique not only highlights the strengths of Cutler’s regimen but also provides practical advice for those looking to incorporate similar strategies into their training.
As Jay Cutler continues to inspire and influence the bodybuilding community, analyses like these ensure that his legacy is understood and appreciated in depth.
Source:
Exercise Scientist Critiques Jay Cutler’s Training