What is the benefit of bulking and then cutting?

[wintersun]

This might be a n00b question, but I dont understand the process of bulking and cutting to make gains.


For example, if one bulks 20 lbs, then cuts 15 lbs... why not just gain the 5 lbs slowly over time instead of going up and then down so drastically?

[CharvelSoCal]

If you "bulk" 20 Lbs and only gain 5 Lbs muscle, you are doing it wrong.

[Cazax]

Bulking maximizes muscle gain which is what we all want, although you get a similar rate of fat. 'Clean' bulking is the term used to slowly bulk until a desired goal, which consists on a 8-10% caloric surplus (in contrast to 20%).

[aWellDressedApe]

i like to cut then bulk, more beneficial? maybe

[AlwaysTryin]

Bulking maximizes muscle gain which is what we all want, although you get a similar rate of fat. 'Clean' bulking is the term used to slowly bulk until a desired goal, which consists on a 8-10% caloric surplus (in contrast to 20%).

Where did you get this precise figure....

[ResilientJay]

I would say you just gain more muscle and have more to work with when you are cut.

[Cazax]

Where did you get this precise figure....

It was just a rough estimate, not intended to be precise reference.

[Stephcoach]

I'm not sure but I still like to bulk up and then cut up the fat..

[handaid]

For me there is a psychological motivational benefit to not super slow clean bulking because I am super skinny and really want to gain good looking weight feel me

[texicus]

you will have the best insulin sensitivity (aka, your body will be "primed" for lean mass gains) when you are somewhere in between high single digits bodyfat % and 15%, if you dreamer bulk into mid 20s% your ratio of LBM to fat gain will be less favorable

source: somewhere on lyle's website, too lazy to find. it's accurate.

[JalapenoAngus]

I'm hijacking this thread. Still not sure about bulking and cutting. When you are lifting do you continue to eat over maintenance or do
you start to cut when lifting ? When lifting while bulking do you lose fat and gain muscle?

[Wakaaa]

I'm hijacking this thread. Still not sure about bulking and cutting. When you are lifting do you continue to eat over maintenance or do
you start to cut when lifting ? When lifting while bulking do you lose fat and gain muscle?

Eating at a surplus + lifting = bulking. Depending on how much of a surplus you go, you can control how much fat you put on with muscle.

Eating at a deficit + lifting (could just eat at a deficit, but muscle mass wouldn't be preserved as much, am i right?) = cutting. You lose fat if done right and preserve muscle if you lift, but muscle will eventually be lost too.

Am I right? Someone confirm.

[JalapenoAngus]

Eating at a surplus + lifting = bulking. Depending on how much of a surplus you go, you can control how much fat you put on with muscle.

Eating at a deficit + lifting (could just eat at a deficit, but muscle mass wouldn't be preserved as much, am i right?) = cutting. You lose fat if done right and preserve muscle if you lift, but muscle will eventually be lost too.

Am I right? Someone confirm.

Thanks, makes sense. I have been bulking, I was a bit worried I was doing it wrong and just gaining fat as I wasn't seeing much definition but I'll just keep at it until I do.

[TigerStealth]

depends o where you are in your development but personally i never bulk or cut anymore. i just eat at maintence all the time and stay relatively lean. i will adjust the amount of my cardio if i want to gain or lose a tiny bit of weight. i try to stay a pretty similar weight year-round