Jay Cutler has won four Mr. Olympias (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010) and finished second a record six times (2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2011). He shares his ideas about strengthening the mind-muscle connection as well as how he tops out his traps.

CUTLER ON MINDING YOUR MUSCLES

  • “Do not think of the weight going up and down; instead, visualize your muscle tightening and firing during the contraction, then resisting and lengthening during the extension.”
  • “To reinforce the mind-muscle connection, I practice posing the muscle I’m working between sets.”
  • “Go with your own instincts. There’s not always a right or wrong way of positioning for an exercise. Find out what works right for you and your structure.”
  • “Work the muscles, not the weight.”

 

 

 

JAY CUTLER’S TRAPS ROUTINE

EXERCISE SETS REPS
Upright rows 3 8-12
Dumbbell shrugs 3 8-12
Behind-the-back barbell shrugs 3 8-12