I know I am no where NEAR to be a 'good' body fat percentage but what would be considered a good percentage off season?
10%? 15%?
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I know I am no where NEAR to be a 'good' body fat percentage but what would be considered a good percentage off season?
10%? 15%?
Don't worry about numbers. They don't check your % on stage anyways nor do they care what % you are in the offseason. The mirror is what you should be using to judge your fatness with. I function best at around 12-15%. Some can stay under 10% and make good gains. Figure out where you make the best gains and stay there in the offseason.
I don't believe in the stay lean in the offseason approach unless your a person who can stay lean without having to go out of your way to do it. If you're dieting during the offseason then you're holding yourself back. I think you should track your macronutrient intake, but you shouldn't be limiting yourself by avoiding social functions or certain foods.
I'm not saying that you should just get as big as possible, but if you're fighting to stay below a certain % or number, then you're preventing yourself from making gains.
Top advice ^^
Agreed, some people can gain @ 8% and others like to be a bit more 'puffy'.
Staying leaner will make for a better prep though.
i wouldnt jump over 12-13% in the offseason. keep in that range at max is my recommendation.
I really think it depends on your body. Like N01SYtZ said, some people can make gains while staying leaner. Others might have to put some fat on. If the latter is the case, usually a cyclical approach of 6-8 week bulking with short mini-cuts in between can be a good approach.
In either case, the best approach would be to experiment with your own body to figure out what works for you.
id bet i bulk up to almost 17% at the end of a 10 month bulk. i know its a little high but cutting is very easy for me
If my abs begin to fade then I know I've gone too far.
[QUOTE=Webber91;661752533]If my abs begin to fade then I know I've gone too far.[/QUOTE]
The one piece of advice I wish I had heard before I let my bf% creep up too high this past off-season.
[QUOTE=Webber91;661752533]If my abs begin to fade then I know I've gone too far.[/QUOTE]
thats the method I started to follow in january. I let my bf get upto 14% or so, and totally lost my abs..didnt like that all too much...then i changed some diet things up, and got back down to 8-9% within 6-8wks. so, i try to keep my abs pretty much there as you mentioned....and slowing increase cals here n there.
Progress and results take time, even if it means starting from ground zero once again.
You have to also remember that everyone holds fat differently. I have gotten up to 224lbs and still had somewhat visible abs. I dont typically hold fat in my midsection as much as legs/glutes.
[QUOTE=Slovation;661813943]You have to also remember that everyone holds fat differently. I have gotten up to 224lbs and still had somewhat visible abs. I dont typically hold fat in my midsection as much as legs/glutes.[/QUOTE]
Exactly. Abs are the first to go for me and that's still at a low bf while i still have my glutes striated and my quads feathered.
[QUOTE=Webber91;661752533]If my abs begin to fade then I know I've gone too far.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Slovation;661813943]You have to also remember that everyone holds fat differently. I have gotten up to 224lbs and still had somewhat visible abs. I dont typically hold fat in my midsection as much as legs/glutes.[/QUOTE]
Great bits of advice here^^^^^^.
[QUOTE=Zarazen;661825773]Exactly. Abs are the first to go for me and that's still at a low bf while i still have my glutes striated and my quads feathered.[/QUOTE]
^ This. back and lower abdomen are my fat holding points. limbs dont have as much at all.