Would you Sacrifice.....

[maori-rap]

I'm not too fussed about abs, never really have been. Much rather have mass in the arms, back, shoulders and chest. Abs are for show the way I see it, I'm into strength and shifting the weight. As long as I don't have a big overhanging gut I'm content.

[secondtonone]

Well before i got injured I was 180lbs, 8% and the response I got from the ladies (because thats what matter 90% of the time) is that it looks good if you're doing it for a show and bragging rights but that its not comfortable to lay on. Now I'm 212lbs, 11% and the response is that it's solid and comfortable. Do I want six pack? yes but also want to keep the size.

[hwrestler5]

mass in the winter and cut in the summer

[hwrestler5]

mass in the winter and cut in the summer. bf at a level where abs are visible but only when flexed in the winter, and in the summer ripped when relaxed

[Justin-27]

Originally Posted by Anotherfling

I'd rather look like a man and lift like a man, than look like a boy and lift like a boy. That being said, there is no reason you can't have both... however on the road to get there, you're not going to have both. Currently I am bulking, I don't especially like the fact that my stomach has a bit of fat covering my abs, but it's very worth it so that when I cut after making my bulk goals, I'm stronger, bigger, and leaner than before.

If you want to get big, you're going to have to put some extra fat on your stomach at some point, it's just part of the game. If I had to choose between ripped abs or size permanently, I'd still take size. Looking pretty in a bathing suit is for models. Taking up the entire door frame when you pass through it, and being able to lift heavy objects is for men!

If the girls can't see the tiny toned guy because I'm blocking the view, he's not going to get to show them his abs anyway. If it's at the point where a girl gets to see my abs, it's probably a moot point what they look like anyway, sans the beach or the pool, and I'm not a big water sports kind of guy.

Interesting point of view.
Care to tell me what's "taking up the doorway" when you cannot bench your own bodyweight (must not be pec muscle)? Information care of your bodyspace page.

Again, eating clean and having a tiny, veined shredded waist is harder than hell. That is why no one has that. I struggle every damn day for mine....you think I LIKE not eating burgers and fries?

PS-fat doesnt lift more weight, so the "big" myth is lame. You can be 4% and "big." Train harder. Eat cleaner. Less bull**** excuses. Fat never made anyone lift heavier.

[arsilva]

I can't get fat in my gut no matter how hard i try..I'd like to be able to add more fat and see what it does for me in terms of strength and size, but I'm still making gains, esp. strength gains, while maintaining my 9% or so bf. But I'd be willing to sacrifice my gut for a little while.

[mcintyrej]

mass

[zackmorris]

Originally Posted by Big Nes

i would trade in strength for anything else (cuts, or size).

but definitely size over "cuts."

Agree.

[zackmorris]

and for the record. I'm bulking and keeping my abs....my genetics rule.

Added 25lbs so far. Still have ripped abs..... never say never.

[_Ishy]

I just lost my abs for about 15lbs worth of mass. So yes, I would.

I would continue to loose defininition until about 190lbs.

[dcamnc]

I've been both, I prefer leaner. I just FEEL better, healthier or something. It's easier to run, and move in general. Sure my lift numbers go down, but I'm willing to sacrifice some.

[Justin-27]

Originally Posted by dcamnc

I've been both, I prefer leaner. I just FEEL better, healthier or something. It's easier to run, and move in general. Sure my lift numbers go down, but I'm willing to sacrifice some.

Exactly.
I agree with the mass group though in the fact that getting bigger and stronger is a hell of an empowering feeling. But having already "been there, and done that" I feel leaner is better (for me). Im ok with not have 18.5" arms and deadlifting 500+ like I used to. **** my thighs are lame now at 23", they used to be a hair under 28". But you can see all the muscles in them now and I can actually wear jeans for a change! lol

[rory1]

I would rather be cut, but im bulking right now. Will cut down in a month or so though before spring break

[j0hn9999]

interesting how this breaks down.

mostly teens twenty somethings all say BIG

older guys say you really have no idea how hard 6pac is to keep and live with, and big really is only cool to a small group, that in reality bulk appeals to the same women who think camaros and mullets are cool.

for me...lean, muscular and ripped any day. for 99% of the women I meet as well.

A belly is a red flag for being a lazy alcoholic, no matter how much you squat or bench the perception is there and becomes accepted as reality.
terms to describe include big and busted.

[ricohitman]

Duh, this is bodybuilding not "getting girls building." You bulk to gain your size, then you cut to gain your leanness back. You have to be in a hypercaloric state to gain mass/size, with that comes a little bit of bodyfat (unless you have the metabolism of an ectomorph). You can keep that bodyfat at bay by including cardio when you bulk. To gain the leanness back you have to be in a hypocaloric state and eating the right kinds of foods.

The people that say it is hard to get the six pack are just afraid of dieting the correct way down to it and doing the required amount of cardio. I would much rather put the size on first (wintertime) then cut (spring/summertime) then try to maintain a very low level of bodyfat all year round. Offseason is hard enough when your lifting such heavy ass weight!!!

[patleb940]

Originally Posted by ricohitman

Duh, this is bodybuilding not "getting girls building." You bulk to gain your size, then you cut to gain your leanness back. You have to be in a hypercaloric state to gain mass/size, with that comes a little bit of bodyfat (unless you have the metabolism of an ectomorph). You can keep that bodyfat at bay by including cardio when you bulk. To gain the leanness back you have to be in a hypocaloric state and eating the right kinds of foods.

The people that say it is hard to get the six pack are just afraid of dieting the correct way down to it and doing the required amount of cardio. I would much rather put the size on first (wintertime) then cut (spring/summertime) then try to maintain a very low level of bodyfat all year round. Offseason is hard enough when your lifting such heavy ass weight!!!

So, you've been bulking up to 150 lbs this winter?

[flippedcivic]

To follow on the last response the whole girls thing shouldn't be in the post at all. If ur lifting for girls then you are lifting for the wrong reason anyway.

I think that mass+laziness. i never go above 10% BF, it's not because i have these great genetics, its because i understand nutrition and diet and fyi i can do 315x8 on bench press so dont give me excuses. Just results. I have an idea. Learn how to diet, then making gains and staying lean is as natural as breathing.

[patleb940]

Originally Posted by flippedcivic

To follow on the last response the whole girls thing shouldn't be in the post at all. If ur lifting for girls then you are lifting for the wrong reason anyway.

I think that mass+laziness. i never go above 10% BF, it's not because i have these great genetics, its because i understand nutrition and diet and fyi i can do 315x8 on bench press so dont give me excuses. Just results. I have an idea. Learn how to diet, then making gains and staying lean is as natural as breathing.

Theeeere you go, sir!

[dcamnc]

Another thing about getting lean when you're older, and single, is that there is NO competition around, guy wise. You can just about walk in a bar and take your pick, as 95% of the other older dudes are sportin beer guts. I'm not picking on these dudes, as most of my buddies are like this, but it's nice to have this ability. I also like the "stealth muscle" aspect of being lean. When I was 30 lbs heavier, it was hard to hide my "liftingness" if I wanted to. Now I hardly look like I lift unless I take my shirt off. This is a good thing to me. You don't get the "ugh, he's a meathead azzhole" look from folks.

[Kyle.Lgk]

Originally Posted by 1jz300

i was wondering how many of you out there, would sacrifce stomach, a flat stomach maybe even a 6 pack or so, for size???

bottom line, would you trade stomach for size?

lets see your opinions on both.....lets hear it

Yes and No... I wouldnt trade stomach for size if I thought I couldn't get my stomach back

Everybody wants to gain mass / lose fat at the same time, but thats inefficient... This is why we periodize

I bulk for mass during the winter, which requires that I'm at a higher BF%, then I cut down for the summer

[CouchPotato-]

i'd rather have mass, but i'd rather be cut if i were on a beach or somewhere in front of alot of people with minimal clothing

[deeks430]

would definitely rather have the abs. depends on what your going for. I am going for health and look.

[SuperMaine]

Well everyone here def has a good point of view and i like to hear about them. Personally, i love my abs, yes........but in a t shirt who sees them??? when your wearing a suit, a blazer, a long sleeve button up who sees abs?????

they see the sheer size of your arms, your chest and traps.....just something to think about....

but at the beach is a totally different story! NOONE cares how big you are at the beach(unless your 140 lbs with abs hahaha) but theres a place to have the cuts and a time...winter time.......sheer size!!! summer/beach time...cuts!! with some size is good

and to add on to what a few said earlier.....gotta love those genes!!

[BenReilly]

Well, quite intriguing topic.

But, as much as I want to say Mass, and believe me, I really do, I'm going to have to go with Abs. Have had a six-pack all my adult life, so I wouldnt really know what to do without it. But alas, why not have both??