[BendtheBar]

This is a conversation I have nearly every day. It's not meant to poke fun at anyone, but rather to shine a light on common misconceptions.

Guy X: I don't want to build muscle. I just want to get ripped. What cardio and diet should I use.

Me: First and foremost you need to focus on training hard with weights. If you don't, you will risk losing muscle while cutting, leaving you thin but with a less than appealing physique.

Guy X: But I don't want to look like a bodybuilder.

Me: You won't, that takes years and years and years. And even then, if you are a natural, you will still be well over 60-75 pounds lighter than most Olympia contenders.

Guy X: Ok, so how long do I lift weights?

Me: If you want to look good, and keep your existing muscle, you can't stop training.

Guy X: Wha????

Me: The second you stop training, you are telling your body that existing muscle isn't needed while cutting. To maintain a nice physique, you must put in a continuous effort, even if bodybuilding isn't a goal.

Guy X: Ok, so I will do crunches and curls and pec dec and lat pulldowns...