Even at 52, Jay Cutler refuses to slow down.
The four-time Mr. Olympia champion might have retired from competition, but the work ethic that made him one of bodybuilding’s greats clearly hasn’t gone anywhere.
In a new video posted to his YouTube channel, Cutler shared how he’s still training hard — showing fans the exact chest, calves, and abs workout that keeps him looking shredded well into his fifties.
For most people, the holiday season is an excuse to ease off the gas. Cutler, though, still trains every single day. The “Comeback Kid” says he hasn’t missed a session in years, even after stepping away from the stage.
Where many retired pros drift away from the discipline that made them famous, Cutler has instead continued to embrace it. That consistency has made him one of the most admired names in the sport.
Jay Cutler’s Chest, Calves, and Abs Routine
Here’s the complete session from Cutler’s latest video:
- Arsenal Loaded Standing Chest Press
- Incline J Dumbbell Press
- Seated Cable Chest Press
- Kneeling Rope Crunch
- Incline Bench Sit-Ups
- Hanging Leg Raise
- Standing/Seated Calf Raises
- 20 Minutes of Treadmill Cardio
Each movement is chosen for precision, tension, and longevity rather than maximum load—a sign of how Cutler has adapted his approach to training in his fifties.
Cutler opens with this machine-based press, loading three plates on each side for the right mix of tension and safety. “We’re working on this machine. It’s one of my favorites. Three plates a side is the max I go,” he said in the video. He explained that it allows him to work each arm independently, correcting strength imbalances while keeping pressure evenly distributed.
Next comes the incline press using J-bells — weights with a handle inside, similar to a bowling ball grip. Cutler said the design helps beginners maintain control and avoid the wobble that can come with traditional dumbbells. “You stick your hand inside, and you don’t get that unevenness that you might get from dumbbells,” he explained. Even though he’s been lifting for decades, he still values the precision they bring to his chest work.
Cables are another cornerstone of Cutler’s workouts, providing continuous resistance through each rep. “What I love about cables is the constant tension,” he said. “With dumbbells, you get momentum, but with these, you stay under tension the whole time.” It’s a method that lets him focus on muscle contraction instead of speed—something he believes is key to maintaining density and shape as he ages.
After finishing chest, Cutler moves on to his core: rope crunches, decline sit-ups, and hanging leg raises, followed by standing and seated calf raises. He wraps up every session with 20 minutes on the treadmill to round out his conditioning.
Cutler also keeps his shoulders sharp with movements like the behind-the-back lateral raise, an exercise he credits for helping maintain roundness without relying on heavy momentum. His approach now focuses on strict form and smart volume—trading maximum weight for control and joint health.
Even with this more balanced style, fans can’t help but notice how formidable he still looks. “Still an absolute killer physique,” one commenter wrote—and it’s hard to argue.
As one fan put it in the comments: “You have always been my biggest inspiration to get to the gym.” Another wrote: “I could watch and listen to Jay all day long. Dude is positive, always working and educating.”
Those reactions sum up why Cutler remains one of bodybuilding’s most respected figures: he’s still doing the work, and he’s still bringing people with him.
Cutler’s discipline has made him a symbol of consistency long after his Olympia days. In the 2000s, he famously battled Ronnie Coleman six times before capturing four Mr. Olympia titles of his own. Decades later, his routine and mindset remain the same: show up, stay focused, and never let age dictate your limits.
He might be retired, but he’s clearly not done inspiring people.
Featured image credit: YouTube/JayCutler (screenshots)
