Big surplus vs small surplus?

[dontknowname001]

Is it true that a big surplus (> 500 cal surplus) elicits much greater strength gains compared to a small surplus (<500 cal surplus)?

Has anyone tried these methods out before and noticed something substantial? I always hear people saying that when they went on a dirty bulk their lifts went through the roof. Will a 1000 cal surplus really produce that much greater strength gains compared to a 200 - 300 cal surplus or is it purely subjective?

[miacanesfan25]

Personally, my strength differences aren't terribly different with a larger surplus.

Fat gains are another story.

[deadpool9]

Usually when I quit counting my macros so close and eat what I want, my strength jumps are larger. As are the jumps in my waist size.

[dontknowname001]

moar?

[Flashkicker]

Personally, my strength differences aren't terribly different with a larger surplus.

Fat gains are another story.

I put on crazy water weight with large surpluses. Like someone direct injected a hose under my skin and I turned into a water balloon.

[miacanesfan25]

I put on crazy water weight with large surpluses. Like someone direct injected a hose under my skin and I turned into a water balloon.

Me too.

Every bit of fat I have on my lower abs and love handles crew.

[MarkVI]

It makes a huge difference in my experience. It seems like it shouldn't, but it always has. With a big surplus strength increases are at such a fast rate compared to a milder surplus.

But.....I don't think you're going to make muscle gains much faster with a bigger surplus, can only put on so much muscle at a time. So build more muscle while pushing less weight = win win situation.

[ispoody1243]

strength gains with big surplus are always better

isn't strength gains correlated with muscle gain to a degree?

[vitornoob]

strength gains with big surplus are always better

isn't strength gains correlated with muscle gain to a degree?

Not directly.

Like said, you can put a certain amount of muscle per time, and that does not depend on how big is your surplus. But with more calories you will possibly have a better recovery and other things that will help with strenght gains
Strenght is not directly related to size/muscle, you can be pretty small but really strong. Olympic athletes for example

[ispoody1243]

Not directly.

Like said, you can put a certain amount of muscle per time, and that does not depend on how big is your surplus. But with more calories you will possibly have a better recovery and other things that will help with strenght gains
Strenght is not directly related to size/muscle, you can be pretty small but really strong. Olympic athletes for example

might just be me but olympic lifters look quite muscular IMO
wouldn't call them small
btw its a bit different for them.....

[MarkVI]

might just be me but olympic lifters look quite muscular IMO
wouldn't call them small
btw its a bit different for them.....

That's more a function of consistent training over time not the level of surplus.

[lunchboy]

Since some of the big 3 exercises are leverage dependent (squat and bench) isn't the easiest way to squat/bench more is to put on more weight? That's what I've heard.

[deadpool9]

Since some of the big 3 exercises are leverage dependent (squat and bench) isn't the easiest way to squat/bench more is to put on more weight? That's what I've heard.

I would think that would only apply to deadlifts. Seems to me that gaining weight would make squats harder (heavier load on the quads and hams). Bench doesn't seem like it would be affected that much as the amount of weight carried in the arms is pretty small compared to the rest of the body, plus the rest of your body weight is placed onto the bench or floor.

[lunchboy]

I forgot which guy I was watching on youtube but he was going into benching and how the more pressure you place against the bench (proper arch/foot placement), the more you can push up. I would imagine as your weight increased you would be able to apply more pressure into the bench due to being heavier and potential strength gains. Or maybe it's because your belly is bigger so there is less distance to cover through the press. I'm sure there are people here that know a lot more about this particular subject, I would like to know if I'm talking out of my arse.

[ZMan45]

I find gaining strength on bench is near impossible for me without gaining weight. Squat and dead are not quite as bad.

[NotEven1nce]

Not directly.

Like said, you can put a certain amount of muscle per time, and that does not depend on how big is your surplus. But with more calories you will possibly have a better recovery and other things that will help with strenght gains
Strenght is not directly related to size/muscle, you can be pretty small but really strong. Olympic athletes for example

Muscle stimulation = growth

Lifting More weigh -> more simulation -> more growth ...

[aaaaaaaaaachooo]

I find gaining strength on bench is near impossible for me without gaining weight. Squat and dead are not quite as bad.

*Kansas Crew* Checkin in!! Wichita - Hometown.

[ispoody1243]

That's more a function of consistent training over time not the level of surplus.

i wasn't talking about surplus in that comment
just the muscle size/strength ratio