Cutting but want to keep your strength? Work with a coach who knows how to protect your muscle while cutting fat.
Cutting fat while holding onto muscle is the holy grail of body recomposition. Yet, for most lifters, the deeper they get into a cut, the more they risk losing not just fat—but also hard-earned lean tissue.
Here’s why that happens:
1. Your Body Needs Fuel—And It'll Take It From Anywhere: In a deficit, the body searches for energy. If protein is low or recovery suffers, it breaks down muscle for fuel.
2. Hormonal Shifts: Cutting decreases anabolic hormones and raises cortisol, increasing catabolic risk.
3. Poor Recovery: Hard training without recovery breaks down muscle without rebuilding it.
4. Reduced Protein Synthesis: Deficits naturally limit tissue building. You must optimize nutrient timing and quality to fight this.
Supplements don’t replace training, diet, or sleep. But during a cut, they help protect muscle by supporting recovery, strength, and nutrient gaps.
Need help with your supplement stack?
Work with a coach who can guide your entire cutting phase.
1. Whey Protein: High in leucine, fast-digesting, and excellent for post-workout or meal gaps.
2. Creatine Monohydrate: Maintains strength and cell hydration, even while cutting.
3. EAAs: All nine essentials support MPS better than BCAAs—use intra-workout or during cardio.
4. HMB: Anti-catabolic, especially for aggressive cuts or beginners.
5. Beta-Alanine: Boosts volume and delays fatigue—great for high-rep training.
6. L-Citrulline: Enhances blood flow, recovery, and endurance.
7. Vitamin D + Micronutrients: Support hormones, immunity, and recovery.
Includes zinc, magnesium, and more.
8. Omega-3s: Help reduce inflammation, preserve lean mass, and ease joints during high-volume work.
Here’s a simple daily stack:
Need more help balancing your recovery and diet? Check out this guide on staying strong while cutting.
Or explore more nutrition tools via our Nutrition Hub.