Lean bulk or maintain (pictures)?

[OllieN96]

I'm 19, 5ft 10 inches, 138lbs, and have reverse dieted while also now being at maintenance for 6 weeks (since ending my 2+ year cut to loose over 70lbs).

I am about to start All Pro's Butchered Edition 1 (though I have been lifting for over 2 years).

My new goal is to gain muscle to partly improve the appearance of my post-weight loss body, especially my stomach, and to eventually also burn off what remains of this obesity fat.

Lean bulking would guarantee muscle gain (potentially reaching my objective quicker?), however some additional fat too (but this can be minimised by using a 'lean' caloric surplus).

Maintaining will avoid this fat gain, though muscle growth could be smaller and make the whole process overly time consuming.

Before making such a detrimental decision I would be grateful for other opinions on what is best for me.

Based on my stats and the photos provided, should I continue maintaining or begin a lean bulk?

[Extreemjase]

"Maintaining" is exactly that, you won't gain any muscle due to consuming calories that maintain your weight.
Lean bulk with a good amount of cardio

[Jason5267]

Lean bulk for sure, by the looks you have very little muscle, very very little, if you want a nice physique you'd have to be at least 150lbs+ with 10% or so body fat, for now do a lean bulk, add some muscle, stay strict to minimize fat gains, and when your weight goes up reasonably then start a cut, but hey I've been lean bulking at around 9% body fat and I don't see any fat gains yet, so it's possible

[OllieN96]

"Maintaining" is exactly that, you won't gain any muscle due to consuming calories that maintain your weight.
Lean bulk with a good amount of cardio

Others have suggested that I could 'recomp', but I don't know whether doing this would be unfulfilling my potential beginner gains.

What body fat percentage do you think I am?

[OllieN96]

Lean bulk for sure, by the looks you have very little muscle, very very little, if you want a nice physique you'd have to be at least 150lbs+ with 10% or so body fat, for now do a lean bulk, add some muscle, stay strict to minimize fat gains, and when your weight goes up reasonably then start a cut, but hey I've been lean bulking at around 9% body fat and I don't see any fat gains yet, so it's possible

Thanks for the response.

What body fat percentage do you think I am?

[3DarkAngel6]

Maintain what exactly?

Nvm let's go eat brah.

[OllieN96]

Maintain what exactly?

Nvm let's go eat brah.

As in recomp to burn more of the stomach fat and then begin a long-term (1 year+) lean bulk (without having to cut again after 9 or so months).

[Tonyy926]

Lean bulk dude, no point in maintaining as if you're not using the time to better yourself, you're wasting time.

[OllieN96]

Lean bulk dude, no point in maintaining as if you're not using the time to better yourself, you're wasting time.

So a recomp wouldn't benefit me more (considering the fat on my lower stomach)?

[Tonyy926]

So a recomp wouldn't benefit me more (considering the fat on my lower stomach)?

From what I understand, recomping is when you're on a surplus a few days a week, while on others you're on a deficit. Tbh it would make sense if you would cut more and drop your bodyfat to 9-10%, maintain for a few weeks so you don't just shoot up in weight straight away, then begin lean bulking.

[codsterlaing95]

Slow bulk 2 lbs per month or you could try a recomp and progress on the weights until you stall. Do that for 8-12 months and then re-evaluate.

[Jason5267]

Others have suggested that I could 'recomp', but I don't know whether doing this would be unfulfilling my potential beginner gains.

What body fat percentage do you think I am?

If I were to guess I'd say 14-15% , although your arms make you look nearer to 12-13%

[Cyder00]

Decided to vote for bulk when i read 138 lbs

[Lewisrowezer]

I'm 19, 5ft 10 inches, 138lbs, and have reverse dieted while also now being at maintenance for 6 weeks (since ending my 2+ year cut to loose over 70lbs).

I am about to start All Pro's Butchered Edition 1 (though I have been lifting for over 2 years).

My new goal is to gain muscle to partly improve the appearance of my post-weight loss body, especially my stomach, and to eventually also burn off what remains of this obesity fat.

Lean bulking would guarantee muscle gain (potentially reaching my objective quicker?), however some additional fat too (but this can be minimised by using a 'lean' caloric surplus).

Maintaining will avoid this fat gain, though muscle growth could be smaller and make the whole process overly time consuming.

Before making such a detrimental decision I would be grateful for other opinions on what is best for me.

Based on my stats and the photos provided, should I continue maintaining or begin a lean bulk?

Don't overcomplicate things with 'recomps' and such. Eat a little over maintenance, focus on getting stronger on the key compounds with some optional isolation work and track your lifts. Oh, and obviously eat adequate protein and fats

P.S you have like the exact same arm genetics as me xD

[j0sh2011]

"Maintaining" is exactly that, you won't gain any muscle due to consuming calories that maintain your weight.
Lean bulk with a good amount of cardio

That's pretty false.