MuscleTech takes you inside with Jay Cutler: candid, uncut & like you've never seen him before! This month, big Jay tells all, tackling your most pressing questions, including how to build a big back, his top 3 bodybuilders of all time, and how he gets his amazing color onstage. Enjoy!

Flex, July, 2005

? I have almost no back development. I alternate between training my back once and twice a week, using both high reps with lighter weights and low reps with heavy weight, but I still haven't seen the results I'm looking for. Am I doomed to have a pathetic back forever? Any suggestions?

A "You have to stay with the core exercises--deadlifts, pull-ups, and rows. I'd suggest sticking with heavier weights and shooting for 8 to 10 reps. I prefer doing barbell rows with a reverse grip. This allows you to pull back a little farther and really contract the muscle. One-arm rows are also very good because they really allow you to get a stretch and then pull back hard. Using a one-arm isolateral movement really focuses on the lat and allows you to get that full contraction. On every exercise, I aim for 8 to 10 reps. You should be close to failing at the ninth or tenth rep, so that's how you should determine the weight to use. Do the movements in a powerlifting style, and really contract the muscle being worked. Contraction is the key!"

? Injuries are probably the most frustrating aspect of training. Do you have any injuries yourself? What advice do you have for young bodybuilders to help them prevent and deal with injuries?

A "A lot of injuries are caused by ego training, which I did some of in the beginning. But, fortunately for me, I've never had any injuries. Anyone who does fall into the ego training trap or uses loose form is always at risk of injury. I would suggest using your head a little more. I'd opt for moderate weights rather than extremely heavy weights. Even though I could always do more weight, I'd rather focus on putting blood into the muscle, training with more volume, and stretching a lot. I get deep tissue work done once a week and feel it's very helpful, as it allows the muscles to repair correctly and keeps the strength of the muscle tissue. The deep tissue work also allows for more flexibility, which puts me at less risk for injury."

? What MuscleTech[R] products do you use on a regular basis?

A "Along with Cell-Tech[TM], Nitro-Tech[R], and Pump-Tech[TM], I use some of the bars, as well as Acetabolan III[R]. I use them all throughout the day. I use Cell-Tech and Pump-Tech more than anything because (1) I'm a carb freak, and (2) Pump-Tech, I believe, is the best product that Team MuscleTech has released as of late."

? Jay, who in your opinion, are the three greatest bodybuilders of all time, and why?

A "The greatest bodybuilders of all time are Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lee Haney, and Ronnie Coleman. Arnold, because of what he represented. He was ahead of his time. Lee Haney was a great representative. He began winning the Mr. Olympia at 24 and retired by the age of 31 after eight Mr. Olympia wins. He was, and still is, a great spokesperson for the sport of bodybuilding. And then Coleman just pushed the envelope of what a Mr. Olympia should look like."

? Jay, do you like to train with Hammer Strength[R] equipment?

A "I use some Hammer Strength equipment, but I prefer more free-weight movements. I think Hammer Strength equipment is good for isolation of the muscle; however, some people get too lazy and just use Hammer Strength equipment."

? I know bodybuilders always preach about getting proper rest, I was wondering how many hours of sleep you get a night. What time do you usually go to bed? What time do you wake up?

A "I try to sleep at least eight hours. Right now, in the off-season, I'm going to bed at about 12:00 a.m. and then getting up for about 9:00 a.m. Pre-contest, I'll go to bed at about 9:00 p.m. and get up for about 6:00 a.m. I also try to nap for about an hour a day, whether I'm training for a contest or not."

? Jay, what's your favorite flavor of Cell-Tech[TM]? What about Nitro-Tech[R]? What flavor do you prefer?

A "I usually don't have Cell-Tech by itself. I'll mix it with Nitro-Tech, so the two I use are Lemon Lime Cell-Tech combined with Chocolate Nitro-Tech."

? Do you personally mail out your merchandise to your fans, or do you have someone do it for you?

A "I personally mail out my merchandise to my fans. My wife and I sometimes do it together. Every morning when I get up, I'll pack my orders and head to the post office before my first training session."

? Jay, I've noticed that you've always got an amazing tan every time you step onstage. How do you do it, man? What's your secret?

A "To get a good base, I'll tan every day for the last six weeks prior to a competition. Leading up to the competition, I'll use self-tanning lotions and go to the spray-tanning booths."

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