is it better to bulk up first or lose body fat first?

[bigtee5469]

whats up all.. Is it better to lose your body fat first then start to bulk up...or vice versa?thanks.

[McHamster]

It depends on your goals, the shape you're in now, your age, etc. etc.

It would help if you gave a bit of background.

The obvious answer is that if you're overweight you should probably make that a priority. If you're overly thin, bulk up. If you're somewhere in between, figure out what is important to you right now and concentrate on that. You probably already know what you want to do.

If you're just starting out and are way out of shape you may be able to do both simultaneously by eating clean and working out.

[Souper Steve]

Depending on how much bodyfat you have you may be able to do both by following a solid diet / excercise routine. Once you get to a more "normal" bodyfat then you need to focus on bulking or cutting. That is my understanding anyhow... Im no expert.

[BigNath]

That all depends on how much you weigh and your height and your measurements etc etc..

Ive done a couple of bulks in the last 12 months to help increase muscle mass vs weight loss while loosing the 70kg I have lost so far..

I am going to start another bulk starting July 1 for at least 2 months as well.

Personally If your a fatass, loose some fat first but always keep lifting while your doing it, then once you get to a point where your body fat is a quite alot less dense, do a good bulk and try and fill out a bit.

You will know when its time. You can feel it.

HTH

Nath

[bigtee5469]

i am 5 ft 4 in between 148 - 150 lbs..my body fat is about 12.9..
could i possibly lose body fat while gaining weight??thanks again..any tips

[bigtee5469]

oh yeah..i am in pretty good shape..i been working out for 2 years..i never followed a good diet..i eat whatevers in sight

[McHamster]

Based on what you just said, I'd say eat clean and BULK.

[getgot211]

generally, you wanna lean out first. if you start bulking with a hig bf% you'll be more likely to add fat.

[WillDeadliftForFood]

Increased muscle = increased metabolism.

A true bulk will include some fat gain. "Body recomposition" (exchanging fat for muscle while keeping weight relatively stable) takes a long time, and in my case my strength gains stagnate. Unless you're trying to get "cut" for the summer, I'd say start bulking and keep bulking until you've put on some decent muscle mass. Then when you decide to lean out (i.e. next summer) you'll have something to really show off. This will also give you plenty of time to get your diet really figured out, which should make getting lean later less of a chore.

[McHamster]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. If you're 13.9% bf now without even trying to eat a good diet, I think you can afford to bulk a little -- especially if you clean up your diet.

Again, the most important thing is what your goals are.

Originally Posted by WillDeadliftForFood

Increased muscle = increased metabolism.

A true bulk will include some fat gain. "Body recomposition" (exchanging fat for muscle while keeping weight relatively stable) takes a long time, and in my case my strength gains stagnate. Unless you're trying to get "cut" for the summer, I'd say start bulking and keep bulking until you've put on some decent muscle mass. Then when you decide to lean out (i.e. next summer) you'll have something to really show off. This will also give you plenty of time to get your diet really figured out, which should make getting lean later less of a chore.

[michaeljay44]

Originally Posted by Souper Steve

Depending on how much bodyfat you have you may be able to do both by following a solid diet / excercise routine. Once you get to a more "normal" bodyfat then you need to focus on bulking or cutting. That is my understanding anyhow... Im no expert.

That has been my experience. Losing fat and gaining muscle/size seem to go together if you're on a good diet/ workout routine. Eventually you'll plateau and then have to reanalyze your situation - get bigger or get cut.

[bigtee5469]

thanks evrryone..

[aditya1984]

Hi..
my Age is 24

my weight was 117Lbs in Sept 07
now it is 140Lbs with 17.5% Body Fat so wht shd I do now?
My height is 5 Ft 8 inch