If i go on a mass building routine then switch to strength will i lose any bulk?

Question

if i go on a hypertrophy routine(sarcoplasmic hypertrophy) like 12 to 15 reps or so then after a while when i have enough mass then switch to a strength training routine aroud 8 reps(Sarcomere hypertrophy) will i be able to remain just as big or will i shrink a little....i know after good mass and good base then when i switch to strength routine i will be more cut and toned and strong but will i lose any size?

Answer 1

Answers two and three are very good and informative.You will not lose mass by changing to this type of routine.
One of the things that you can do to prevent catabolism(muscle wasting) is to keep up a constant regular protein consumption.Supplementing or eating protein every 2.5-3 hours will help you retain a positive nitrogen balance(anabolic state).
It's important to stay well hydrated during high protein consumption regimens.You should strive for 1-1.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight every day.Creatine will also help you retain a positive nitrogen balance as well.
Bear in mind this routine is not more likely to make you lean or ripped.This is done with proper diet and fully contracted exercises respectively.Working a muscle group in particular does not affect fat loss in that area.That's known as spot reduction and it's 100% myth.
I'm certainly not brown nosing here and don't necessarily think I deserve best answer,but I'm glad to see that you're doing your homework.That's the kind of thing that separates the winners from the losers in weight lifting

Answer 2

When you switch, you may shrink a *little* bit, but more than likely you'll simply gain a bit more fat than muscle (just a part of the recovery phase between sets for strength training). all in all you shouldn't loose too much.

Switch the rep schemes to 8-12 for sarcoplasmic and 5-8 for sarcomere, and you should be fine.

8-12 reps per set are best for hypertrophy, while 70-90% of your 1rep max for 5x5 sets are best for strength. (also, you can do a power cycle for the strength with 3 weeks of 8's, 3 weeks of 5's, 3 weeks of 3's, and 3 weeks of singles, peaking on the last week or so).

Good Luck!!

Answer 3

Strength training in the 8 reps range is still in the hypertrophy range. Strength range is usually 1-4 reps. Also, reps in 12-15 rep range is more for endurance then hypertrophy.

It would be better if you training in each rep range each week. For example, it you do a full body routine 3 times a week, day 1 could be 12-15 rep range, day 2 could be 8-10 rep range, and day 3 could be 1-4 rep range.

As far as losing mass...I doubt that you will as long as your diet it optimal. In fact you may even put on more mass as you get stronger.