Cutting Workout Plan: Burn Fat & Build Lean Muscle Fast
Posted by Leonard Shemtob on Jul 27, 2025
If your goal is to lose fat and get lean without losing muscle, a cutting workout plan can help. Cutting means reducing body fat while keeping your hard-earned muscle.
This plan focuses on the right mix of weight training, cardio, and rest. This article will guide you through an effective cutting workout plan designed to help you burn fat while preserving muscle.
[Related] Bulking vs Cutting: Key Differences, Pros, and Cons
Quick Summary
- Goal: Burn fat while preserving muscle for a lean, defined physique.
- Key Focus: High-intensity workouts + strength training to maintain muscle.
- Best Exercises: Compound lifts (squats, deadlifts) & cardio (HIIT, LISS).
- Pro Tip: Pair workouts with a calorie deficit & high-protein diet.
- Duration: Follows a 4 to 6-week structured plan.
- Training Split: Targets all major muscle groups weekly.
- Boost Results: Supercharge your cut with Alpha Lean-7 by Hard Rock—formulated with thermogenic ingredients shown to enhance fat burning and support muscle retention during cutting phases.
What Is Cutting?
Cutting is a fitness phase where your main goal is to lose body fat while keeping as much muscle mass as possible. People usually enter a cutting phase after a period of building muscle, known as bulking. The idea is to get lean and show more muscle definition by dropping body fat.
To make cutting effective, you need a calorie deficit—eating fewer calories than your body burns. But cutting isn't just about eating less. You also need to follow a proper workout plan that includes weight training and some cardio. This helps you burn fat without losing the muscle you’ve worked hard to build.
How to Cut While Improving Muscle Definition
Cutting means losing fat while trying to keep your muscles. To do this well, you need to follow the right plan in both your workouts and your diet. Here’s how you can start cutting:
- Eat Fewer Calories: You need to eat less energy (calories) than your body uses. This helps your body use stored fat for fuel. But don’t cut calories too much—doing it slowly is safer and better for muscle. To do it, reduce daily intake by 300–500 calories below maintenance.
- Keep Protein High: Eating enough protein helps protect your muscles from breaking down while you lose fat. Include good protein sources like chicken, fish, eggs, or beans in your meals. Try to eat 1.6 to 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily.
- Exercise Smartly: Combine strength training (lifting weights) with cardio (like running, biking, or HIIT). Strength training keeps your muscles strong, and cardio helps burn extra calories faster.
- Stay Consistent: Cutting takes time. Follow your workout and diet plan regularly without skipping days. Consistency helps your body adjust and keeps you motivated.
What is a Cutting Workout Plan?
A cutting workout plan is a special exercise routine designed to help you lose body fat while keeping your muscles strong and healthy. When you follow this plan, you do workouts that burn fat but also keep your muscles from shrinking. This usually means combining strength training (like lifting weights) with some cardio exercises (like running or cycling).
The goal of a cutting workout plan is to help you get a leaner, more defined body by reducing fat but not losing muscle. Along with exercise, this plan works best when you eat fewer calories than you burn but still get enough protein to protect your muscles.
Components of the Best Cutting Workout Plan
When designing an effective cutting workout plan, it's important to pay attention to the key parts that help you lose fat, maintain muscle mass, and stay healthy. It’s not just about burning calories—it’s about doing the right kind of training that tells your body to hold onto muscle even when you’re eating less.
Here are the main components that make a cutting workout plan successful:
I. Resistance Training for Muscle Preservation
Resistance training remains the backbone of your cutting phase, even though your primary goal is fat loss. The aim here is to signal to your body that your muscles are still vital and should be maintained, not broken down for energy.
Prioritize Compound Movements: Exercises that involve multiple joints and muscle groups are incredibly efficient. Squats, deadlifts, bench presses, rows, and overhead presses should form the core of your routine. These movements burn more calories during the workout and help maintain strength across large muscle groups, which is critical for muscle retention in a deficit.
Maintain Intensity (or as close as possible): While you might not be hitting personal records, strive to maintain your strength levels. Don't drastically drop the weight you lift just because you're cutting. Focus on progressive overload where possible – even if it means doing one more rep, adding a small amount of weight, or improving your form.
Moderate Volume and Frequency: Aim for 3-5 resistance training sessions per week. A common approach is a full-body split 3 times a week, or an upper/lower split 4 times a week. This allows for sufficient muscle stimulation and recovery. Total sets per muscle group should still be adequate to stimulate growth/retention.
Rep Ranges and Rest Periods: While strength training often uses lower reps, during a cut, you might find benefit in slightly higher rep ranges (e.g., 8-15 reps per set) with shorter rest periods (60-90 seconds). This can increase the metabolic demand of your workout, contributing to more calories burned.
Incorporate Isolation Work: Once your compound exercises are done, include some isolation exercises (like bicep curls, tricep extensions, lateral raises) to target specific muscles. This helps with muscle definition as you shed fat.
Progressive Overload: To keep your muscles from shrinking, you must challenge them. Gradually increase the weight, the number of sets, or the repetitions in your strength training.
II. Cardio for Enhanced Fat Burning
Cardio plays a supporting role in a cutting plan by increasing your calorie expenditure, thereby widening your deficit and accelerating fat loss. The key is to integrate it strategically so it doesn't interfere with your strength training or lead to excessive muscle breakdown.
Variety of Cardio Types:
-
LISS (Low-Intensity Steady State): This involves activities like brisk walking, cycling, or using an elliptical at a steady, comfortable pace for a longer duration (30-60 minutes). Low-intensity cardio is great for burning fat without adding much recovery stress.
-
HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training): Short bursts of intense exercise followed by brief recovery periods. HIIT is excellent for boosting metabolism and burning a significant number of calories in a shorter time. However, it's more demanding on your recovery, so integrate it carefully (e.g., 1-3 sessions per week on non-lifting days or after your lifting session).
Timing is Key: Consider performing cardio on separate days from your resistance training, or after your weightlifting session. Doing intense cardio before lifting can reduce your strength and performance, hindering muscle preservation.
Listen to Your Body: Don't overdo cardio, especially when in a calorie deficit. Excessive cardio can lead to fatigue, overtraining, and potentially muscle loss. Start with a moderate amount and increase only if your fat loss stalls.
III. Recovery and Deloads
Often overlooked, recovery is paramount in a cutting phase. Your body is under stress from the calorie deficit and intense training, so allowing it to recover is vital for muscle preservation and overall well-being.
Adequate Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Sleep is when your body repairs and rebuilds. Poor sleep can negatively impact hormones related to hunger and fat storage, making cutting much harder.
Active Recovery: On rest days, engage in light activities like walking, stretching, or foam rolling. This helps improve blood flow and aids in muscle recovery without adding significant stress.
Planned Deloads: Every 4-8 weeks, consider a "deload week" where you significantly reduce your training volume or intensity. This gives your body a chance to fully recover, prevent burnout, and come back stronger. It's especially important during a calorie deficit when recovery resources are limited.
IV. Progress Tracking and Adaptability
A cutting workout plan isn't a static document. Your body adapts, and your progress will fluctuate. Regularly tracking your progress and being prepared to adjust your plan is crucial for continued success.
Measure Progress Beyond the Scale: While the scale is one tool, don't rely solely on it. Take weekly progress photos, body measurements (waist, hips, arms, etc.), and track your strength in the gym. Sometimes, the scale might not move much, but your body composition is changing for the better.
Adjust as Needed: If fat loss stalls for two weeks, consider slightly increasing cardio or slightly reducing calories (e.g., another 100-200 calories). If you feel overly fatigued or are losing strength too rapidly, it might be a sign that your deficit is too aggressive, and you might need to slightly increase calories or reduce training intensity.
V. Calorie Control (Nutrition)
While this article focuses on workouts, your workout plan should always go hand-in-hand with smart eating. You need a calorie deficit to lose fat, but not a crash diet.
- Use food tracking apps or meal plans to stay consistent.
- Make sure you're getting enough protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs.
- Avoid extreme cuts in calories, which can lower energy and kill performance.
Sample Cutting Workout Plans
Here are three distinct cutting workout plans, offering different frequencies and structures to suit various schedules and preferences.
Important Considerations Before You Start:
- Warm-up: Always do a 5-10 minute light cardio warm-up (e.g., jogging, cycling) followed by dynamic stretches before lifting.
- Cool-down: Finish with 5-10 minutes of static stretching after your workout.
- Progressive Overload: Try to maintain or increase the weight you lift over time, or at least perform more reps with the same weight. Don't sacrifice form for weight.
- Listen to Your Body: Adjust rest times, volume, or take an extra rest day if you're feeling overly fatigued or sore. Recovery is key during a cut.
- Cardio: Integrate cardio as suggested. You can swap LISS for HIIT if preferred, but be mindful of recovery.
Sample Plan 1: Full Body Focus (3 Days/Week)
This plan is excellent if you have limited gym time but want to hit each muscle group frequently. It's efficient and effective for muscle preservation.
- Goal: Maximize frequency for muscle stimulus.
- Frequency: 3 days of strength training, 2-3 days of cardio.
Workout Schedule:
- Monday: Full Body A
- Tuesday: Cardio (LISS or HIIT)
- Wednesday: Full Body B
- Thursday: Active Recovery (e.g., long walk) or Cardio
- Friday: Full Body C
- Saturday: Cardio or Rest
- Sunday: Rest
Workout Details:
Full Body A
- Barbell Squats: 3 sets of 8-12 reps
- Dumbbell Bench Press: 3 sets of 10-15 reps
- Bent-Over Rows: 3 sets of 8-12 reps
- Overhead Press (Dumbbell or Barbell): 3 sets of 10-15 reps
- Face Pulls: 3 sets of 15-20 reps.
- Plank: 3 sets, hold for 30-60 seconds
Full Body B
- Romanian Deadlifts: 3 sets of 8-12 reps
- Incline Dumbbell Press: 3 sets of 10-15 reps
- Lat Pulldowns: 3 sets of 10-15 reps
- Leg Press: 3 sets of 10-15 reps
- Bicep Curls: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
- Tricep Pushdowns: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Full Body C
- Goblet Squats: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
- Push-ups (or Machine Chest Press): 3 sets to near failure (or 10-15 reps)
- Seated Cable Rows: 3 sets of 10-15 reps
- Lateral Raises: 3 sets of 15-20 reps
- Walking Lunges: 3 sets of 10-12 reps per leg
- Calf Raises: 3 sets of 15-20 reps.
- Rest between sets: 60-90 seconds.
Sample Plan 2: Upper/Lower Split (4 Days/Week)
This split allows for more volume per muscle group per session, hitting each area twice a week for consistent stimulus.
- Goal: Balanced approach with good frequency and volume.
- Frequency: 4 days of strength training, 2-3 days of cardio.
Workout Schedule:
- Monday: Upper Body A
- Tuesday: Lower Body A
- Wednesday: Cardio (LISS or HIIT) or Rest
- Thursday: Upper Body B
- Friday: Lower Body B
- Saturday: Cardio or Active Recovery
- Sunday: Rest
Workout Details:
Upper Body A
- Barbell Bench Press: 3 sets of 8-12 reps
- Pull-ups (or Lat Pulldowns): 3 sets of 8-12 reps
- Dumbbell Shoulder Press: 3 sets of 10-15 reps
- Dumbbell Rows: 3 sets of 10-15 reps per arm
- Overhead Tricep Extension: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
- Hammer Curls: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Lower Body A
- Barbell Squats: 3 sets of 8-12 reps
- Leg Curls: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
- Leg Extensions: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
- Glute Bridges/Hip Thrusts: 3 sets of 10-15 reps
- Standing Calf Raises: 3 sets of 15-20 reps.
- Ab Rollouts: 3 sets of 10-15 reps
Upper Body B
- Incline Dumbbell Press: 3 sets of 10-15 reps
- Seated Cable Rows: 3 sets of 10-15 reps
- Lateral Raises: 3 sets of 15-20 reps
- Face Pulls: 3 sets of 15-20 reps
- Dips (or Close-Grip Bench Press): 3 sets to near failure (or 8-12 reps)
- EZ Bar Curls: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Lower Body B
- Romanian Deadlifts: 3 sets of 8-12 reps
- Leg Press: 3 sets of 10-15 reps
- Walking Lunges: 3 sets of 10-12 reps per leg
- Seated Calf Raises: 3 sets of 15-20 reps
- Cable Crunches: 3 sets of 15-20 reps
- Rest between sets: 60-90 seconds.
Sample Plan 3: (Home-Based, 4 Days/Week)
- Goal: Fat loss and lean muscle mass using bodyweight or light gear
- Equipment Needed: Resistance bands, dumbbells, mat
Day 1: Full Body Strength
- Jump Squats: 3 sets of 15
- Push-ups: 4 sets to failure
- Resistance Band Rows: 3 sets of 12
- Dumbbell Floor Press: 3 sets of 10
- Plank: 3 rounds of 45 seconds
Day 2: Core + Cardio
- Mountain Climbers: 3 sets of 30 sec
- Bicycle Crunches: 3 sets of 20 reps
- Russian Twists: 3 sets of 30 twists
- High Knees: 3 rounds of 45 sec
- Jump Rope or Jog in Place: 10–15 minutes
Day 3: Lower Body Burn
- Bulgarian Split Squats: 3 sets per leg
- Glute Bridges: 3 sets of 15
- Resistance Band Deadlifts: 3 sets of 12
- Calf Raises: 3 sets of 20
- Wall Sit: 3 rounds of 1 min hold
Day 4: HIIT + Upper Body
-
Dumbbell Shoulder Press: 3 sets of 12
-
Band or Dumbbell Rows: 3 sets of 10
-
Push-ups: 3 sets to failure
-
HIIT Circuit (Repeat 3x):
-
Jumping Jacks: 30 sec
-
Burpees: 30 sec
-
Rest: 30 sec
-
Common Cutting Mistakes to Avoid
Cutting Calories Too Drastically
This is perhaps the most common mistake. While a calorie deficit is essential, going too low too fast can backfire. An extreme deficit signals to your body that food is scarce. It can slow your metabolism, make you feel constantly tired and irritable, and significantly increase the risk of muscle loss.
Your body might start breaking down muscle for energy, which is the opposite of what you want. Aim for a moderate deficit of 200-500 calories below your maintenance level.
Insufficient Protein Intake
Protein is your best friend during a cut, and not getting enough can hinder your progress significantly. Protein is crucial for preserving muscle mass in a calorie deficit and helps keep you feeling full, reducing cravings. If your protein intake is too low, you risk muscle breakdown and constant hunger.
Overdoing Cardio
While cardio helps burn extra calories, more isn't always better, especially when you're already eating less. Excessive cardio can lead to overtraining, increased fatigue, elevated stress hormones, and can even interfere with muscle recovery and growth signals from your weight training. In extreme cases, it can contribute to muscle loss.
Neglecting Weight Training
Some people think that because they want to lose weight, they should only do cardio. This is a big error during a cut. Without resistance training, your body lacks the signal to hold onto muscle.
When you're in a calorie deficit, if you're not lifting, your body has less reason to preserve muscle mass, and you'll end up "skinny fat" or simply weaker, rather than lean and defined.
Ignoring Recovery & Sleep
Many people focus solely on diet and exercise but forget about the critical role of rest. Sleep deprivation and chronic stress disrupt hormones that regulate appetite (ghrelin and leptin) and fat storage (cortisol). This makes fat loss much harder, increases cravings, and impairs muscle recovery.
Ignoring Progress
Not tracking your workouts, body measurements, or how you feel can leave you guessing. Keep an eye on your progress so you can adjust your plan if needed.
Relying on Supplements Alone
While the right supplement can help, no pill or powder can replace proper diet and exercise. Use supplements only as an extra boost—not your main method for cutting.
Tips for Your Cutting Journey
Be Patient with Progress
Fat loss doesn’t happen overnight. Aim to lose around 0.5 to 1 kg per week. Slow progress is normal and safer for your body.
Prioritize Whole, Unprocessed Foods
While calories matter most, the quality of your food makes a big difference in how you feel and perform. Whole foods like lean meats, vegetables, fruits, and complex carbohydrates are generally more filling and nutrient-dense than processed foods. They provide the vitamins, minerals, and fiber your body needs, often with fewer calories per serving.
Stay Hydrated
This might sound simple, but it's incredibly important. Drinking plenty of water can help you feel fuller, which is a huge advantage when you're eating fewer calories. It also supports your metabolism and helps your body function optimally. Sometimes, what feels like hunger is actually just thirst.
Plan Your Meals Ahead
Plan what you’ll eat for the week. Having healthy meals and snacks ready makes it easier to avoid junk food and stick to your diet.
Track Your Progress Beyond the Scale
The scale can be a useful tool, but it doesn't tell the whole story. Your weight can fluctuate daily due to water retention, food in your system, and other factors.
Relying only on the scale can be discouraging. Progress photos, body measurements (like waist and hip circumference), and tracking your strength in the gym provide a more complete picture of your body recomposition.
Manage Stress Effectively
Stress can sabotage your cutting efforts without you even realizing it. Chronic stress can increase cortisol levels, a hormone that can promote fat storage, especially around the midsection, and increase cravings for unhealthy foods.
Incorporate stress-reducing activities into your daily routine. This could be meditation, yoga, spending time in nature, reading, or simply taking a few minutes to breathe deeply.
Be Patient and Consistent
Fat loss takes time, and results aren't always linear. Stick to your plan every day, even when progress feels slow. Small, steady changes add up over time.
Get Enough Sleep
Poor sleep can mess with your hormones, increase cravings, and slow recovery. Aim for 7–9 hours per night.
Avoid Crash Dieting
Extreme diets can lead to weakness, mood swings, and muscle loss. A steady approach always works better.
Best Cutting Supplements
To help maximize your cutting results while preserving hard-earned muscle, here are some of the best cutting supplements designed to support your physique goals and improve training output during calorie deficits.
Disclaimer: Supplement effects vary by individual. The statements made about these products have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Clinical results are based on individual ingredient studies, not full product trials.
1. Alpha Lean-7 by Hard Rock Supplements
Alpha Lean-7 is a thermogenic fat burner formulated to support fat loss. It contains ingredients aimed at increasing metabolism and energy expenditure.
The supplement is designed to help users feel more energized during a calorie deficit and support the body's ability to burn stored fat. It also includes components that may help suppress appetite, assisting with dietary adherence during a cutting phase.
Key Benefits:
- Promotes increased calorie and fat burning
- Supports maintenance of lean muscle mass
- Helps control appetite and reduce cravings
- Increases energy and focus during training
- May reduce water retention for a tighter, leaner look
- Encourages steady, sustainable fat loss
Key Ingredients:
- Caffeine Anhydrous
- Dandelion Powder
- Dimethylethanolamine
- Betaine Anhydrous
- Green Tea Extract
- Cissus Quadrangularis
- L-Carnitine
- Alpha Yohimbine
Customer Reviews
Excellent
“One of the best thermogenic burners I've used.”
-Leslie S.
Best fat burner
“This has been the best fat burner I've come across since the pre-efedra ban days. Great for energy without excess jitters. Would definitely recommend!”
-AMH
ALPHA LEAN-7
"Great product for losing weight."
-CARLOS Q.
2. Muscle Sculptor by Vital Alchemy
Muscle Sculptor is a unique recomposition agent designed to help improve fat-to-muscle ratio. It uses ingredients like Paradoxine (grains of paradise), Yohimbine HCl, and other natural compounds like Epicatechin aimed at supporting body recomposition. It's commonly used during cutting phases to aid in fat loss while helping maintain lean mass.
Key Benefits:
- Promotes fat loss with potent thermogenic ingredients
- Helps support lean muscle retention
- Supports enhanced metabolic activity
- Includes thermogenic agents for body heat output
- Helps balance appetite during dieting
- Helps preserve lean mass while cutting
- Helps reduce body fat while preserving strength
Key Ingredients:
- Epicatechin
- Yohimbine HCl
- Caffeine Anhydrous
- Grains of Paradise
- Phosphatidyl Serine
- DiCaffeine Malate
- Evodia Rutaecarpa
- Citrus Aurantium
- Celery Seed Extract
Customer Reviews
Love this product.
“My go to everytine am trying to cut. I usually stack it with True Shred and i get great results, losing fat and keeping my lean gains.”
-Tunde S.
The muscle sculptor
"I’ve been using this supplement for a few months now and I absolutely love it. It gives me just the right energy boost and keep my metabolism in check"
-Tyler
Great stuff
“As a Military member this product keeps me lean with nice muscle hardness - it’s sensational”
-Trey
3. Lean GLP by SNS
Lean GLP is formulated to aid weight management by optimizing insulin sensitivity and supporting healthy appetite hormones like GLP-1. It contains ingredients aimed at controlling hunger and supporting stable blood sugar levels. This supplement suits individuals pursuing fat loss while aiming to control dietary intake more effectively.
Key Benefits:
- Helps control appetite and reduce cravings
- Supports balanced blood sugar and insulin levels
- Promotes steady energy throughout the day
- Aids healthy fat metabolism
- Reduces risk of fat gain from high-carb meals
- Contributes to improved diet control
- Supports overall weight management goals
Key Ingredients:
- Saberry® (Amla extract)
- Dihydromyricetin
- DNF-10® Satiety Peptides
- Momordicin® (Bitter melon extract)
- Eriomin® (Lemon fruit extract)
- GlucoVantage® Dihydroberberine
- CaloriBurn GP® (Grains of Paradise extract)
- Curcousin®
- BioPerine® (Black pepper extract)
4. Alpha Defy by Olympus Labs
Alpha Defy is developed to support muscle growth, fat metabolism, and overall body recomposition. It works by activating multiple PPAR (Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor) pathways involved in fat burning, endurance, and glucose metabolism. The formula also aims to preserve lean muscle mass during calorie deficits while enhancing energy and recovery.
Key Benefits:
- Supports muscle growth and preservation during fat loss
- Supports enhanced fat metabolism via PPAR-related pathways
- Increases energy and endurance for longer workouts
- Improves insulin sensitivity and glucose management
- Provides antioxidant support
- Supports recovery and resilience under stress
- Helps body recomposition by promoting fat loss with muscle maintenance
Key Ingredients
- Garcinia Mangostana L. (peel) Extract
- MitoBurn™ (L-β-Aminoisobutyric Acid)
- Artemisia Iwayomogi Extract
- Genistein
- Selective Fat Ignition System
Customer Reviews
Awesome
“This supplement works great , 10 days in and had to make a new hole on.my belt , 1 inch shorter!!”
-Raul O.
It works
“It’s dose work .. I added to the Chisel and I sweat more and can feel my metabolism working faster.. lost 4 pounds the first week.. probably just water but feeling tighter”
-Blaquekat
Impressive results added to my stack
“I added this to the dad *** transformation stack and dropped another 7 lbs in about 10 days on my cut. Also starting to see some definition too.”
-Joseph S.
5. Androvar by Hard Rock
Androvar is formulated as a muscle hardening and recomposition supplement aimed at reducing body fat while enhancing muscle density, vascularity, and strength. It features Epiandrosterone, a DHT-derived prohormone known to convert into Stanolone—a potent androgen compared to natural testosterone. It is designed for experienced users in cutting phases, aiming for increased muscle hardness, strength, and dryness without estrogenic effect.
Disclaimer: Androvar by Hard Rock is intended only for advanced users. It is recommended for experienced bodybuilders or lifters with a minimum of 2 years of consistent training. Users should have a solid understanding of structured nutrition, proper workout programming, and safe supplement cycling.
On-cycle support and a complete post-cycle therapy (PCT) are mandatory for safety and results. For full cycle support, refer to the Shred and Sculpt Stack, which includes the required support and recovery products. This product is not for beginners.
Key Benefits:
- Enhances muscle hardness and vascularity
- Used by advanced lifters during cuts to help enhance fat loss, definition, and training intensity
- Aids in lean muscle retention and strength
- Improves muscle definition and dryness
- Supports increased training performance and power output
- Assists in recovery between workouts
- Helps achieve a more defined, muscular physique
Key Ingredients:
Customer Reviews
Works great
“I've had no negative side effects (other than being a bit more ragey that usual), weight loss, muscle gain, and strength gain. It's a win.”
-Kevin D.
Works like a charm/
“Very satisfying”
-Kirk H.
Awesome Product
“I been using product for years best on market”
-Sarge
Final Thoughts
A cutting workout plan helps shape a leaner, stronger body. Steady progress comes from the right balance of strength training, cardio, and proper nutrition.
Fat loss does not have to mean muscle loss. Consistency in workouts and nutrition brings the best changes. Every small step leads closer to a goal.
The plan can fit beginners and experienced lifters alike. Changes may come slowly, but results do appear with time.
Written and Sponsored by Leonard Shemtob
Leonard Shemtob is President of Strong Supplements and a published author. Leonard has been in the supplement space for over 20 years, specializing in fitness supplements and nutrition. Leonard appears on many podcasts, written over 100 articles about supplements and has studied nutrition, supplementation and bodybuilding.
Leonard's articles have been published in many top publications around the web. Leonard enjoys weight training, playing basketball and yoga, and also enjoys hiking. In his free time he studies and works on improving himself. For more detailed information, visit his official blog.
FAQs: Cutting Workout Plan

- Helms, E. R., Aragon, A. A., & Fitschen, P. J. (2014). Evidence-based recommendations for natural bodybuilding contest preparation: Nutrition and supplementation. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 11(1), 20.
- Wilkinson, S. B., & Phillips, S. M. (2017). Preserving healthy muscle during weight loss. Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity, 24(3), 219–225.
- Krzysztofik, M., Wilk, M., & Stastny, P. (2025). A review of strategies for achieving simultaneous muscle mass gain, maintenance, or minimal loss during fat reduction: Insights from the last 5 years. Journal of Education, Health and Sport, 79, 59391.
- Morton, R. W., Murphy, K. T., McKellar, S. R., Schoenfeld, B. J., Henselmans, M., Helms, E., ... & Phillips, S. M. (2018). A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of the effect of protein supplementation on resistance training–induced gains in muscle mass and strength in healthy adults. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(6), 376–384.
- Schoenfeld, B. J., Ogborn, J. D., & Krieger, J. W. (2017). Effects of resistance training frequency on measures of muscle hypertrophy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Sports Sciences, 35(19), 1888-1897.