Bulking & Gaining Mass

Metrosh · 11-07-2009, 10:12 AM

Hey guys,

Little intro, i am currently about 6"0 @ 175lbs with about 14-15%BF. I am on a full body strenght workout (StrongLift's) and i work out 3 times a week for about 1hr-1.5hr each session.

My goal is to be at around 185~ but with under 10%BF. Now i know this will require me to bulk to gain muscle then to cut to lose the fat, however i dont know how should i approach this:

1) Should i bulk straight up to lets say 210lbs, then cut to 185?
2) Should i bulk to 185, then cut to 170, then bulk to 190, then cut to 175...

Is there advantage/disadvantage to both ways? Time is not really an issue, just that i would like to be cutting a bit before th summer since ima be going away ^^.

Oh and this you can add if you are nice: What macro ratio should i keep? and do you guys have tips on how to count ur cals? i try but i seem to always forget to do it somethimes, and i dont know where to write it down.

Thanks all!

Metrosh · 11-07-2009, 11:05 AM

18views no advice?

bigdan · 11-07-2009, 11:24 AM

well bro, i can't offer you any concrete advice... basically you do what you want to do and you listen to your body... first step... get up to 180 lbs or whatever... if you still feel like bulking, keep bulking... if you don't do something else...

makavelicss · 11-07-2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdan

well bro, i can't offer you any concrete advice... basically you do what you want to do and you listen to your body... first step... get up to 180 lbs or whatever... if you still feel like bulking, keep bulking... if you don't do something else...

^^ This

Play it by ear, dude.

See how you feel after a couple months of bulking. If you wanna have a change, cut, if not, continue.

Lashiec · 11-07-2009, 11:47 AM

If you're okay with adding more fat and going over 200 pounds then you can go ahead and bulk up to that weight. Some people hate to see the loss of their veins/abs and go on shorter cut/bulk cycles. Just depends on how you want to do it. If you can go up by about a pound per week and get over 200 and feel fine with yourself, go for it.

I plan to get to about 195 or something, should be the end of January, then cut down for a few months. I prefer longer cycles, because it's easier for me to get into the routine and stick with it than always changing it up every month.

bigdan · 11-07-2009, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lashiec

If you're okay with adding more fat and going over 200 pounds then you can go ahead and bulk up to that weight. Some people hate to see the loss of their veins/abs and go on shorter cut/bulk cycles. Just depends on how you want to do it. If you can go up by about a pound per week and get over 200 and feel fine with yourself, go for it.

I plan to get to about 195 or something, should be the end of January, then cut down for a few months. I prefer longer cycles, because it's easier for me to get into the routine and stick with it than always changing it up every month.

Some good points are made here.

OP I was thinking about your question a little more... and yeah it largely depends on how lean you want to stay, BUT, I was thinking though, for the first real bulk or two, an unexperienced lifter with average genetics, unless you are really strict you will probably get pretty fat (like above 15%), but you should also put on a good amount of muscle (maybe as much as 20 lbs if not more - depends on how skinny you are to start).

If you are just starting out you might want to take advantage of a longer bulk... once you cut down from that you won't want to get so fat again, and you should have some decent mass, so naturally your next bulk you probably won't want to get as fat... and as you continue to cycle the line between "bulk" and "cut" blurs more and more (as many competitive bodybuilders choose not to get above 10% bodyfat) with the end result being you having decent muscularity and relatively low bodyfat.

But yeah man, it's all preference, and these are the kinds of questions you will really want to ask yourself after you have spent some time in the gym and the kitchen, and put on that 20, 30, 50 lbs.

Metrosh · 11-08-2009, 12:39 AM

Thanks guys, very helpful info.

I think i'm gonna go with short bulk/cut cycles. I used to be around 190lbs but of pure(almost) fat, then i went into a suicidal, undocumented cut/starvation that got me to 160lbs of... nothing (at 6"0). Upon regaining normal eating habits and starting to work out more seriously my weight seems to stay around 175-180. Is there an ideal amount to bulk then cut? a.e bulk 10pds then cut 5 ect or like you guys said go with how i feel about it? I'm just afraid my "bulk/cut" cycle will end up in bulk 5 cut 5 and voila back at the starting line lol.

Anyhow ill see how it goes... i just need a way to keep track of what i eat without it being really annoying.

gordonrumble · 11-08-2009, 12:43 AM

The besy way to do this is probably just to bulk up to 200 then cut down, but many people vanity can't take it.

itsaburgerrun · 11-08-2009, 02:49 AM

or just dont focus on the 2 ? eat good day in day out dont restrict urself of anything and watch the mirror.if it goes fast skip some stuff next day or 2 of not keep eating.u dont have to bulk or cut u can just strive to get stronger and stronger and soon u wil see ur body change bothways fat% and LBM

timhet · 11-08-2009, 04:46 AM

Bulk to 185, then stay at that weight until your bodyfat goes down to 10%.