Why bulking then cutting?

[redbulladdict]

Hey, what's up.

I've been reading a few of the threads here and it seems most people usually do the bulking then cutting routine. My question is, is this the most effective way to get a ripped body? How would it compare to something like say, 30 minutes of HIIT, then full-body lifting, assuming a healthy diet?

[Tomek]

The answer is simple:

In order to bulk you need to eat like an animal with that said train like one too. The food you eat helps you put on muscle mass.. with that said putting on fat is not an option it is a definate... When most people reach there desired size... they go on a cutting diet to decrease fat for a more cut and defined look..

[Italia10]

I read an article on the actual bodybuilding.com site where it suggests that an individual should cut down to at least 10% body fat and then bulk in order to maximize muscle gain while minimizing fat gain.

[redbulladdict]

So does that mean you dont do any cardio during the period of bulking? And assuming you did, what would be the effect of that?

[GETIN_ HUGE]

Originally Posted by redbulladdict

So does that mean you dont do any cardio during the period of bulking? And assuming you did, what would be the effect of that?

Alot of people dont do cardio during a bulk because it burns calories that would be better used to make muscles if u want to do cardio then feel free but u will need to bulk for longer to achieve tha same results.

If you do do cardio then DO NOT do it fasted, do it after eating, http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=649720

this man speaketh the truth

[lucious]

If you don't do cardio you're ignoring the most important muscle, your heart. The 'eat like an animal' idea is an old school one and will lead to unnecessary fat gain. Yes, you must be in a calorie excess to gain muscle, you must be in a caloric defiict to lose fat, so you can see how these two are in conflict. The best idea is to plan a slight surplus(500 cals or so) above your maintenance rate with 2 cardio sessions a week. Think about it, fat is excess, unneeded energy. If you're laying on slabs of fat you're eating too much, and the body obviously isn't using this excess for muscle gain. Just eat enough over the baseline to add new tissue.

[kliplemet]

Originally Posted by Italia10

I read an article on the actual bodybuilding.com site where it suggests that an individual should cut down to at least 10% body fat and then bulk in order to maximize muscle gain while minimizing fat gain.

I read it too, here is the part you were talking about:

Originally Posted by http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/hugo41.htm

When To Bulk Up

First of all, bulking up is not about eating everything in sight and trying to lift as heavy as possible hoping that all of the increased weight gain will come in the form of muscle. This old school strategy will only lead to excessive fat gain.

The best time, in my opinion, to bulk up is after you have been dieting for a long period of time. At this time your body will act like a sponge and absorb all of the nutrients that you give it at peak efficiency in response to the fact that it has not been getting such an influx of nutrients for a while.

Also, if you are above 10% body fat, in which case you cannot see your abs, then you need to concentrate on losing body fat up until the point (at the very least) where you can see the top two rows of abs (when you have a four pack).

Your bulk up plan will work even better, however, if you get down to where you can easily see your full abdominal wall (which is around 6-7% body fat for most people) as when you increase calories in this state, your body will be more primed to gain most of the weight in the form of muscle mass in response to the low calorie period that came before it.

sounds pretty sound, although 6-7% bf seems excessive, I'd say start at a maximum of 10% bf, stop at a maximum of 15% bf

[GETIN_ HUGE]

lucious- that is a valid point and a healthy heard is a good thing, however, when bulkin CLEANLY with a good diet (by this i mean not eating everything in sight) then there is very little exes fat gain, on my first bulk i put on about 25lbs and didnt gain exessive fat, the key is knowing what ur body needs.

In the end i would say that its just a matter of preference, but if you do start getting overly fat but dont feel muscular enough then by all means do cardio, but be sensible, remember you are still bulking, not cutting

[steve_capron]

Here's a fact for the day.... Saturated fat is MORE anabolic than whey protein. Therefore the change in body composition is inevitable if you want noticable good quality gains.

Steve

[FormReverend]

Some people also seem to hesitate to fine tune their diets, which is one of the easiest way's to prevent that excess fat gain. Have you ever looked at some of the members on this board who take pictures of their bulking and cutting cycles? Most of the vets put on very little excess fat, or have compromised a little fat in order to get the maximum out of their growth. Be watchful while on your bulk, and adjust your diet as neccessary. I'm currently clean bulking, and if all your calories are coming from clean sources, it really does feel like you are eating everything in the kitchen in the course of a day. Compare that to dirty foods like anything fried or pizza or ice cream and you really see how calorically (I really don't even know if that is a word) dense a food can be.

[Vipersg123]

In order to gain muscle you need an excess of calories, cardio is used to maintain caloric in a deficient state or in a less excessive amount. Cardio isn't good for building muscle, but if you are getting in a lot of excess calories then go for it because its healthy. The reason why people bulk is because its a very effective way of putting on muscle. Although you may end up looking a little chubby, once you cut down there should be a good change in size as far as muscle goes.

This is a perfect example of quality bulking and cutting.
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=433420

The guy puts on a lot of fat. A lot of people wouldn't want the fat so they would adjust their diet to a Lean bulk putting as little fat on as possible. It's my personal opinion that lean bulking is fine, but bulking shouldn't be a short cycle you should carry it on as long as possible. Once you get to the point where you can tell you need to lose the fat then it's time to cut. Getting a ripped to shreds huge body would probly take a lot longer if you didn't have such an excess of calories. Just look at Lee priest in is off season bulk phase.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/leep...wpics1dbig.jpg

then see him wen he cuts...

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/leep...rview1qbig.jpg

People have their preferences, but I like extreme bulking then cutting.

[kliplemet]

lee priest is chemically enhanced

[Vipersg123]

your point being. It is still essentially the same process.

[Napalmkills]

F*** cutting, just keep bulking. Worst thing that happens is you get big? dont worry about cutting unless you're looking to compete.

[Morbid_Mind]

You can gain lean mass without a substaintial amount of fat gain. It's all dependant on your diet and training.