Jay Cutler’s Olympia-winning workout routine has fascinated fitness enthusiasts for decades. The four-time Mr. Olympia champion built one of bodybuilding’s most impressive physiques through a meticulously structured training approach. Let’s dive into the workout strategy that transformed Cutler into a bodybuilding legend.
The split that built a champion
Cutler’s routine follows a six-day training split targeting specific muscle groups each day. “I’ve always believed in training one body part per day with maximum intensity,” Cutler explains. “This allows me to generate enough stimulus for growth while giving each muscle group adequate recovery time.”
His weekly schedule typically follows this structure:
- Day 1: Chest and Calves
- Day 2: Biceps and Triceps
- Day 3: Back
- Day 4: Rest
- Day 5: Shoulders and Traps
- Day 6: Legs
- Day 7: Rest
High-volume training philosophy
What sets Cutler’s approach apart is his commitment to high-volume training. On chest day, for example, he performs exercises like Hammer Strength Incline Press (3 sets of 8-10 reps), Flat Dumbbell Press (3 sets of 8-10 reps), and Incline Dumbbell Flyes (3 sets of 10-12 reps).
“Volume is the secret weapon most bodybuilders underutilize,” says Cutler. “When I was competing, I would sometimes perform over 20 sets for a single muscle group to ensure complete stimulation of all fiber types.”
The two-a-day advantage
During his competitive prime, Cutler frequently employed twice-daily training sessions. He might train back in the morning with pulldowns and return in the afternoon for rowing exercises, creating a comprehensive stimulus for muscle development.
Dr. Marcus Chen, exercise physiologist at Elite Performance Institute, notes: “Split training sessions like Cutler’s can maximize growth by allowing higher quality work with less fatigue per session, provided nutrition and recovery are optimized between workouts.”
“I trained twice daily not because I had to, but because I wanted to create separation between me and my competitors. That second session gave me the edge.”
The chest and calves blueprint
On chest day, Cutler follows a scientific progression from compound to isolation movements. His full chest and calves workout includes:
- Hammer Strength Incline Press: 3×8-10
- Flat Dumbbell Bench Press: 3×8-10
- Incline Dumbbell Fly: 3×10-12
- Parallel Bar Dips: 3×10-12
- Standing and Seated Calf Raises: 3×12-15 each
Recovery strategies of a champion
Cutler’s training intensity is matched by his recovery protocols. “The workout is only as effective as your recovery allows,” Cutler emphasizes. Post-workout, he consumes a shake with fast-digesting carbohydrates and protein to jumpstart the muscle repair process.
Even in retirement, Cutler maintains a similar training structure but with reduced volume and intensity. “Training is like a bank account,” he explains. “You need to make strategic deposits without constantly withdrawing through overtraining.”
Many fitness enthusiasts have experienced remarkable transformations following professional workout routines. One athlete who followed Ulisses Jr’s 5-day split reported significant muscle development using similar high-volume principles.
Adapting Cutler’s approach for everyday fitness
While Cutler’s routine was designed for professional bodybuilding, its principles can be adapted for recreational lifters. Those seeking balanced development might consider Gal Gadot’s 5-day workout split, which incorporates similar muscle isolation but with more practical volume.
For time-efficiency, Jessica Biel’s 30-minute workout routine offers a condensed approach while maintaining the muscle-specific focus that made Cutler’s training effective.
Would Cutler’s routine work for you?
Jay Cutler’s workout routine represents bodybuilding at its most dedicated level—a testament to what’s possible with perfect execution of training principles. While few will match his dedication or genetic potential, his methodical approach to progressive overload, volume management, and strategic recovery contains lessons for anyone serious about physical development.