Eric, in response to the bulking and cutting cycles. I believe that this is simply a bodybuilding carry over. It is nessisary for a competitive bodybuilder to keep a cyclical schedule simply because of shows and what not. I think that other people see this, and try to mirror it, even though its not optimal for those who dont need to keep that type of schedule.

You dont see powerlifters, or football players doing this, because they train functionally. It just happens that people look to bodybuilders because of the major focus with them is "the look". So they try to mimic them to get the same look.

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I don't do this for my family, my friends, women, accolades, pride, or ego. I do it for me and no one else, its just part of who I am.