Do I have too much fat to continue bulking?

[beq1991]

I am 6’2 and weigh 200 lb. I’ve been considering starting a cut, but I want to get a little bigger first. The problem is I’m thinking my body fat % is too high to continue bulking. I’ve also included a picture in my profile. Thoughts?

[reignman76]

I’m 6’2” 243 lbs. if you think you still need to cut then I’m in trouble. Lol.

From your pics you look ready to bulk.

[beq1991]

I’m 6’2” 243 lbs. if you think you still need to cut then I’m in trouble. Lol.

From your pics you look ready to bulk.

I've actually been bulking for about 2 months (eating around 400-500 calories above maintenance), but I started off a lot leaner than I am now. I've just noticed I've gained some fat on my midsection, which is why I posted this.

[Tucane]

You should continue the surplus. A suitable range for your cut/bulk cycles is 12-20%BF. Just my opinion though, it's your call.

[AdamWW]

I've actually been bulking for about 2 months (eating around 400-500 calories above maintenance), but I started off a lot leaner than I am now. I've just noticed I've gained some fat on my midsection, which is why I posted this.

How much actual weight have you gained? Unless it's about 7-8 pounds, you probably miscalculated your maintenance.

[beq1991]

How much actual weight have you gained? Unless it's about 7-8 pounds, you probably miscalculated your maintenance.

I would say I’ve gained 5-6 lb. I feel stuck because I feel like my body fat % is too high, but I want to add more muscle mass before I cut. Basically I think I'm carrying too much fat right now (especially around my midsection) and am not satisfied with my bulk, so I have no motivation to continue. On the other hand, I feel like I might be cutting my gains too short if I start cutting now. I want to get bigger arms and a bigger back and won't get that by cutting

[TheUnderdog83]

I would say I’ve gained 5-6 lb. I feel stuck because I feel like my body fat % is too high, but I want to add more muscle mass before I cut. Basically I think I'm carrying too much fat right now (especially around my midsection) and am not satisfied with my bulk, so I have no motivation to continue. On the other hand, I feel like I might be cutting my gains too short if I start cutting now. I want to get bigger arms and a bigger back and won't get that by cutting

Keep bulking. If you feel you’re gaining fat too fast pull your calories back just a bit. My answer comes solely from the fact that you’ve only been bulking for 2 months. If you switch between bulk and cut every 2 months than your bulks will be disappointing almost every time IMO. Typically a bulk will last at least 6-7 months.

[faithbrah]

do you want to look lean or full? personally i'd cut for a month or two and start bulking again.

[beq1991]

do you want to look lean or full? personally i'd cut for a month or two and start bulking again.

I want to look lean, but I also want to add some more muscle first. My concern is that I’m carrying too much body fat to continue bulking and if I keep bulking, it will make getting lean much harder

[AdamWW]

I want to look lean, but I also want to add some more muscle first. My concern is that I’m carrying too much body fat to continue bulking and if I keep bulking, it will make getting lean much harder

I mean you're going to have to decide for yourself dude... what's more important to you: being leaner, or being stronger with more lean mass?

If you gain at a reasonable rate, you shouldn't run into long term issues cutting for a significantly longer period of time...

[beq1991]

I mean you're going to have to decide for yourself dude... what's more important to you: being leaner, or being stronger with more lean mass?

If you gain at a reasonable rate, you shouldn't run into long term issues cutting for a significantly longer period of time...

I guess I feel like I haven’t added a bunch of muscle since I started bulking and have noticed that I’ve gained some fat. I don’t know if I would be stopping my bulk too soon if I decide to cut now

[AdamWW]

I guess I feel like I haven’t added a bunch of muscle since I started bulking and have noticed that I’ve gained some fat. I don’t know if I would be stopping my bulk too soon if I decide to cut now

Your decision... nobody can tell you if you should care more about adding muscle or losing fat