Jay Cutler is no stranger to the obstacles that stood in his way en route to cementing a one-of-a-kind bodybuilding legacy. In a recent JayCutlerTV YouTube video published on November 19, 2023, Cutler discussed training habits, shared insights on dealing with depression, and teased a new physique goal for 2024.
“You miss the structure [of competing],” shared Cutler. “You’re more in turn with daily life when you’re training for a contest.”
During his bodybuilding tenure, Jay Cutler became the face of the sport thanks to his ability to bounce back from adversity. Despite a string of runner-up performances on the sport’s biggest stage, he never let setbacks prevent him from making improvements. In 2006, Cutler capped off an epic rivalry with former eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman, when he became the first man to dethrone “The King” at the height of his powers.
Retiring in 2013, Cutler remains a top ambassador of the IFBB Pro League. Whether he’s offering training tips, Men’s Open analysis, or his own diet and nutritional tricks, Cutler is an accessible and open resource for fans. Last year, he transformed his physique before turning 50, and now, it appears he has a new goal lined up on the horizon.
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Jay Cutler Discusses Recovery, Training Frequency, and Mental Health
Accustomed to training six to seven days a week, Cutler initially wanted to scale back his workouts but credits the consistent activity for regulating his metabolism alongside his mental/physical health.
“I wanted to scale back [on training] but what I’ve found is definitely the recovery process is important right? The last two weeks I’ve been to the chiropractor yes I went for a massage with Cory again. That’s the whole thing is recovery. If you feel good, I mean, Lee Priest always said this, he trained seven days a week, the same thing, maybe six days a week, but I think if your activity level is important and everyone’s activity is different.
We might sit here and promote weight training and you know not as much other activities. People play basketball or this pickleball is becoming really popular now. But I think it’s really important for everyone to have activities that keep their mind busy and their obviously, their physical health,” said Cutler.
“It keeps the metabolism going, it burns calories. It uses muscle tissue or whatever else.”
In addressing depression, Cutler emphasizes the power of activity and structure as effective tools, adding, “I think it gives people the opportunity to feel better about themselves.”
“Nervousness, I see the reaction on people’s faces at [the Olympia]. The disappointments of winning and losing because I’ve been on that side. Even the Olympia, I feel for those guys that lost the title but I’m applauding those people that won it. Each year, we should try to work forward and try to create new opportunities for ourselves and really try to find the things that make us the happiest.
I think a lot of people, they sometimes go into depression because they feel like their back is against the wall instead of having some sort of structure. I think if you have that structure and you set those goals forward and you’re not just kind of skating through, I think it gives people the opportunity to feel better about themselves and their personal goals are achieved,” said Jay Cutler.
Cutler also looked back on his contest preps, which he said would last for around 16 weeks on average.
“If you can train for a fitness bodybuilding whatever it is show, and dedicate yourself for those 16-20 weeks, some people it’s a six-month process. Some people it’s a 10-week process. I’m just saying, I’m taking my whole prep was around 16 weeks. So four months I would basically have one goal in mind and that would be to look my absolute best on the date of the contest.”
“I’m Going to Do Another Transformation” – Cutler Talks 2024 Physique Goals
According to Cutler, he’s planning another physique transformation. However, this time, he said his focus will be on acquiring a “different look” complete with a bigger and leaner physique
“I have a lot of goals for 2024. I think I’m going to do another transformation though. I think so. I just don’t know if it’s going to a get big lean – it’s not going to be a bulking one where I get heavy.
I want to get leaner and bigger so a different look. I don’t want to just lean down and be a light weight I want to put on weight and kind of really get on a like okay, I’m on a consistent – it just needs to be in the right time of the year.”
In addition, Cutler hopes to increase his strength in the coming months, specifying that he has a plan in mind.
“I felt like the Fit-for-50 I started traveling a ton and I got off track towards the tail end. So I really want to try to take this year and try to get a little more size back. Maybe train a little heavier. That’s my goal and what I’ve noticed in the gym lately, I want to get a little bit stronger which I’ve never really wanted to do that but I know with the strength comes more size.”
“I have a plan. Maybe I’ll do something where it drives the community a little bit and it brings them to share that a little more.”
Having hung up his posing trunks over a decade ago, Cutler has continued to tinker with his training routines. Last month, the bodybuilding legend opened up about a de-loading weight strategy he has used successfully inside the gym. Above all else, Cutler emphasizes that you can’t go ‘balls to the walls all the time’ when you’re trying to add mass or work on a body part.
Given how quickly and dramatically Cutler transforms his physique, fans are looking forward to seeing what he brings to the table in his next challenge. Hopefully, in the coming weeks, Cutler will fill us in on exactly what he has planned.
RELATED: Jay Cutler On Bodybuilding Today: “The Eating Is Just Insanely Out Of Control”
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