• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The BarBend Logo in white.

BarBend

The Online Home for Strength Sports

  • News
    • CrossFit
    • Strongman
    • Bodybuilding
    • Powerlifting
    • Weightlifting
    • HYROX
  • Reviews
    • Recovery
      • Best Cold Plunges
      • Best Saunas
      • Best Mini-Massage Guns
    • Supplements
      • Best Protein
        • Best Vegan Protein Powders
        • Best Whey Isolate Protein Powders
        • Best Mass Gainer
        • Best Protein Bars
      • Best Pre-Workouts
        • Best Pre-Workout for Women
        • Best Pre-Workouts for Men
        • Best Non-Stim Pre-Workouts
        • Strongest Pre-Workouts
      • Best Creatine
      • Best Electrolyte Supplements
      • Best Greens Powder
      • Best Meal Replacements
      • Best Nitric Oxide Supplements
      • Best Fat Burners
      • Individual Supplement Reviews
    • Cardio Equipment
      • Best Treadmills
      • Best Rowing Machines
      • Best Exercise Bikes
      • Best Ellipticals
      • Best Recumbent Bikes
      • Individual Cardio Equipment Reviews
    • Strength Equipment
      • Best Adjustable Dumbbells
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Weight Benches
      • Best Resistance Bands
      • Best Leg Extension Machines
      • Individual Strength Equipment Reviews
    • Apparel
      • Best Weightlifting Shoes
      • Best Cross Training Shoes
      • Best Running Shoes
      • Best Gym Shorts
    • Fitness Tech
      • Best Running Apps
      • Best Fitness Trackers
      • Best Workout Apps
      • Best Smart Scales
    • Support Gear
      • Best Lifting Straps
      • Best Gym Bags
      • Best Lifting Gloves
      • Best Wrist Wraps
  • Nutrition
    • Diets
      • Carb Cycling
      • Vertical Diet
      • Reverse Dieting
      • Carnivore Diet
      • Ketogenic Diet
      • Intermittent Fasting
      • IIFYM Diet
    • Muscle Gain
      • How to Dirty Bulk
      • Go From Cutting to Bulking
      • Eat These Carbs
      • How to Eat for Muscle
    • Fat Loss
      • Macros for Fat Loss
      • Calorie Deficits
      • Natural Fat Burners
      • Cut 2 Pounds Weekly
    • Supplement Guides
      • Pre-Workout
      • Whey Protein
      • Mass Gainers
      • Greens Powders
      • Creatine
      • BCAAs
    • Daily Protein Needs
    • Pre- and Post-Workout Nutrition
    • Foods With Creatine
    • Bulking Tips
  • Training
    • Exercise Guides
      • Deadlift
      • Bench Press
      • Back Squat
      • Overhead Press
      • Lat Pulldown
      • Shoulder Exercises
      • Chest Exercises
      • Ab Exercises
      • Quad Exercises
      • Biceps Exercises
    • Training Guides
      • Beginner’s Guide to the Gym
      • How to Build Muscle
      • Guide to Muscle Hypertrophy
      • How to Train on a Cut
    • Workouts
      • Back Workouts
      • At-Home Workouts
      • Chest & Back Workouts
      • Full-Body Workout
      • HIIT Workouts
      • Bodybuilding Workouts
      • Farmer’s Carry Workouts
    • Programs
      • 5×5 Program
      • Bodybuilding Programs
      • Push-Up Program
      • Pull-Up Program
      • 5/3/1 Program
      • Powerbuilding Program
      • German Volume Training
      • Build Your Own Program
  • Calculators
    • Protein Intake Calculator
    • Macros Calculator
    • BMR Calculator
    • Squat Calculator
    • Calorie Calculator
  • Community Forum
Home » Bodybuilding News » 4-Time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler on Dirty Bulking Versus Lean Bulking

4-Time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler on Dirty Bulking Versus Lean Bulking

Cutler believes more people aspire to have a lean physique than the physique of a mass monster in current times.

Written by Maximilian Angle
Updated by Phil Blechman on August 2nd, 2023

Ever wonder how some of the all-time greatest bodybuilders who have since retired preferred to pack on mass? Ever wonder what they would do differently if they could do it again? Four-time Mr. Olympia champion Jay Cutler opened up about bulking in the off-season leading up to a pro show on his YouTube channel on July 30, 2022, for his most recent “Jaywalking” vlog.

Cutler used to be one of the top mass monsters during his glory days atop the Men’s Open division, alongside the likes of eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman. Nowadays, Cutler isn’t interested in having a physique as large as it was in his prime. Check out the full video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh0eKtdjA7c&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=JayCutlerTV

[Related: Nick Walker Conquers Chest Training With Bodybuilding Coach Brandon Long]

Gone are the days of Cutler working towards packing on as much size as humanly possible. Cutler is still massive today compared to the average lifter, but he has substantially scaled down his frame. He no longer trains to have a competition-ready physique at age 49. His goals are more aligned with physique maintenance and functionality in his retirement:

The biggest question I get is overcoming weight challenges, setting goals, how to prioritize, [and] how to stay motivated.

Cutler’s efforts in the gym are for “maintenance.” He does not use the same training volume or heavy loads that he did in his competition preparations, nor does he eat like he used to; big meals before a workout and force-feeding to consume enough calories to grow.

Cutler heads to the gym when his schedule allows for it, and he’s motivated for a particular type of workout. His training is more so for enjoyment, physique maintenance, and health. He tries to avoid the super late-night sessions of his past.

The four-time Mr. Olympia believes no matter your goal, it can be helpful to have a second set of eyes on your progress.

Someone to give you some vision; to give you some guidance.

Cutler sips on a serving of his pre-workout supplement ‘Prevail’ as he prepares for his cardio.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Mr Olympia Jay Cutler (@jaycutler)

[Related: Derek Lunsford Focuses on Mobility and Range of Motion to Build His Chest for the 2022 Olympia]

How Badly Do You Want It?

Cutler believes it can be hard to find a coach for bulking as every coach will likely have a different opinion on the optimal way to put on mass, whether via dirty or clean bulk.

I think big is kind of out. Today’s society wants to be leaner, they are scared to be bigger.

Cutler remains steadfast in his opinion that Men’s Open bodybuilding is “The King.” At the same time, other big names, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, think the sport should focus more on the Classic Physique division. Many athletes may want to look in shape year round rather than accumulate the fat that often comes with a true bulk. Cutler knows the road to the highest level of Men’s Open bodybuilding is so much longer and harder than the lighter divisions that some athletes might shy away from the necessities to get there.

It’s about planning ahead, it’s about prioritizing what is important to you.

Prepping meals ahead of time, regardless of training and travel schedule, is part of those requirements for success in Men’s Open bodybuilding. One can’t leave nutrition to chance nor stumble with more accessible options like fast food. Eating every two or three hours is crucial.

Societal Shifts

Cutler reminisces about his era of bodybuilding when everyone wanted to get bigger. While that remains true to some extent, more people want to lose weight and get in shape instead — the appeal of being a mass monster isn’t what it once was.

People always were just trying to get big. Most everyone wants to lose weight now

Note: every state in the U.S. has an obesity percentage at or above 24 percent as of 2022.

Of course, Cutler knows how to diet. He cycled through various dieting approaches during his career: low carb, high carb, moderate carb, zig-zag dieting, and Keto. Cutler doesn’t think the education around dieting is as sharp as it should be for the younger generation of bodybuilders. In Cutler’s opinion, teaching nutrition should be a priority in school.

Diets our life saver, right?

Cutler thinks any training program should last a minimum of four months, then be tailored to the specific goal. Setting deadlines for goals is essential, but so is allowing enough time to realistically achieve those goals.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Mr Olympia Jay Cutler (@jaycutler)

[Related: Every Winner of the Tampa Pro Bodybuilding Show]

Hold Yourself Accountable

Cutler believes you have to hold yourself accountable. Having a competitive stage-worthy physique is different from being generally in shape. Balancing responsibilities at work and home can stunt training goals or make sticking to a meal plan more difficult, but putting yourself first when possible to stay on track may be required.

You have to be a little selfish to be successful in anything.

Cutler’s most memorable time on stage was his win at the 1995 NPC The Tournament of Champions. At that contest, he met Joe Weider and received broader recognition. It also landed his first Muscle & Fitness magazine cover.

What is the goal though; is it bulking or is it staying lean? Everyone’s goal is different.

Leaning down first to allow so the body can adequately utilize additional calories for lean muscle mass once programming is in full force rather than storing it as fat or “bulk” is Cutler’s preferred methodology. In his view, lean and dirty bulking can both work if an athlete wants their goal badly enough, holds themselves accountable to that goal, and has someone to help them stay the course.

Featured image: @jaycutler on Instagram

About Maximilian Angle

Maximilian is a native Pennsylvanian located out of Bloomsburg, Pa passionate about nature, especially gardening and nature conservation, natural bodybuilding, and being a full-time Dad. He is certified through ISSA as a freelance Personal Trainer.

View All Articles

Primary Sidebar

Latest Reviews

Featured image for the Ironmaster Super Bench Pro V2 Review

Ironmaster Super Bench Pro V2 Review (2025): Our Expert’s New Favorite FID Bench

Titan T3 Power Rack Review

Titan T3 Power Rack Review (2025): An Expert-Approved Rig Beckoning to Budget-Minded Athletes

Our tester works out at the beach in preparation for the Rogue Resistance Bands Review

Rogue Resistance Bands Review (2025): Tested by a Certified Personal Trainer

Barbend tester Jake Herod works out on a Force USA Trainer

Force USA G3 Review (2025): Our Experts Tested This Compact All-In-One Rack for Small Home Gyms

BarBend

BarBend is an independent website. The views expressed on this site may come from individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the view of BarBend or any other organization. BarBend is the Official Media Partner of USA Weightlifting.

  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Sections

  • CrossFit
  • Strongman
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Weightlifting
  • Reviews
  • Nutrition
  • Training

More

  • BarBend Newsletter
  • BarBend Podcast
  • The Ripped Report
  • 1RM Calculator
  • BMR Calculator
  • Macros Calculator
  • Protein Calculator
  • Squat Calculator

Policies

  • Accessibility
  • Advice Disclaimer
  • Cookies Policy
  • Disclaimers
  • Disclosures
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Copyright © 2025 · BarBend Inc · Sitemap