Suggestions for muscular and lean, but not bulky, physique

[henmaniac87]

I started out lean and have stayed lean by eating more frequently, but smaller meals. This will help speed your metabolism up, allowing you to burn more fat. Also if u are not a naturally skinny guy like me then you will need to concentrate harder on cardio to shed fat. For me cardio isn't necessary because my metabolism is so fast. As a result, I am very lean with a solid muscular build and awesome definition. Diet and metabolism really are the keys to the lean look, training should stay the same though, I like the 5-12 rep range, typically working around 6-10.

[Orlando1234977]

As a result, I am very lean with a solid muscular build and awesome definition.

153 pounds of ripped up steel uh

[jgreystoke]

hi Palum-thingy

Wow! That was some awesome sarcasm! Did you do it all by yourself?

He tried to give you a proper perspective. You are not accidently going to get too much muscle.

Okay, thanks for nothing. His reply answered a well-intentioned query in a very pissy, *******y way. No use to me at all. I'm kind of sorting the helpful people from the know-all smart-arses. Same territory with any forum, I guess. (Thanks, FT Wrestler, btw.)

Don't agree about misunderstanding. What is bulky or not for one person is totally subjective. I am talking about what is right for me.

Belittling their achievements? I'm crying into my protein shake. They need to be less sensitive then. I'm talking about my goals, my muscle gain, and not commenting on theirs.

I understand your point, but an insular, know-all prickliness doesn't seem to be the way to comment on someone's different perspective or, indeed, their misapprehensions.

It gives forums a bad name.

You are not going to wake some morning, look in the mirror, and say, "Jesus, I've must have gained 30lbs of muscle overnight!"

You could gain that muscle over the next couple of years. But you'd have to train progressively on a good program(probably linear progression at first, and when you are no longer novice, periodized), get vastly stronger in big exercises, and eat enough for the muscles to grow.

But you won't do that. So stop worrying.

[rpmmafia]

well 1-5 Rep range is for strength gains with limited hypertrophy - (muscle growth)
so if you keep it in that rep range you shouldnt get too bulky. although some people do find muscle growth in this rep range. if you dont want to get too bulky just keep the calories low id say.
and the higher reps will tone up while not giving too much bulkiness.
Id say just keep trainin in the low rep ranges (1-5) or high rep ranges (+15) and keep the calories low. maybe some extra cardio after lifting weights.

Where is the proof that low rep ranges dont build muscle?

[RemingtonVale]

Like someone already mentioned everyone has a different perception of 'bulky'. The OP's view of 'bulky' may be considered 'thin and frail' to most of you. If he was using Bruce Lee as an example of an ideal body and judging by the pics I've seen of the some of the members here then yes, it wouldn't be hard for him to overshoot his goal. Bruce Lee's body size looks really average to be honest, but his muscle definition is amazing.


I have 2 friends, one is 5'7 and the other is 5'5. They also wanted to bulk up slightly but not too much. They both overshot their goal in under 6 months and are trying very hard to slim down. The shorter you are, the bigger muscles appear, and for me personally, big muscles on someone of under average height isn't that good looking. That's just my opinion, I'm not bashing anyone.


I am also in the 'don't want to get too bulky' group. I've always had a slim build, and I like it. Someone made a thread with a example picture of what he wanted to look like and everyone started ripping on him. I understand this is a body building forum but not everyone has the same size goals.

[Orlando1234977]

I have 2 friends, one is 5'7 and the other is 5'5. They also wanted to bulk up slightly but not too much. They both overshot their goal in under 6 months and are trying very hard to slim down.

In other words, muscle + fat. If it was due to too much 'bulky muscle' it wouldn't be hard to atrophy the muscle. What happens in a cast? Fat is harder to take off.

The point is, there really isn't bulky muscle and tone muscle due to variables of how you train. Hypertrophy of a muscle looks the same.

What actually is big/bulky is either

a. alot of muscle (relative to individual opinion) or,
b. muscle plus fat.
right?

The first scenio (a) doesn't get 'overshot' quickly.. the second one can. You're simply terming bulky muscle as muscle plus fat..
There isn't a training variable for 'bulky.'

[rpmmafia]

In other words, muscle + fat. If it was due to too much 'bulky muscle' it wouldn't be hard to atrophy the muscle. What happens in a cast? Fat is harder to take off.

The point is, there really isn't bulky muscle and tone muscle due to variables of how you train. Hypertrophy of a muscle looks the same.

What actually is big/bulky is either

a. alot of muscle (relative to individual opinion) or,
b. muscle plus fat.
right?

The first scenio (a) doesn't get 'overshot' quickly.. the second one can. You're simply terming bulky muscle as muscle plus fat..
There isn't a training variable for 'bulky.'

thats exactly what i was trying to say but i couldnt figure out how. lol

[caerus13]

I started out lean and have stayed lean by eating more frequently, but smaller meals. This will help speed your metabolism up, allowing you to burn more fat. Also if u are not a naturally skinny guy like me then you will need to concentrate harder on cardio to shed fat. For me cardio isn't necessary because my metabolism is so fast. As a result, I am very lean with a solid muscular build and awesome definition. Diet and metabolism really are the keys to the lean look, training should stay the same though, I like the 5-12 rep range, typically working around 6-10.

Awful lot of broscience in this post...

[Xardas]

Like someone already mentioned everyone has a different perception of 'bulky'. The OP's view of 'bulky' may be considered 'thin and frail' to most of you. If he was using Bruce Lee as an example of an ideal body and judging by the pics I've seen of the some of the members here then yes, it wouldn't be hard for him to overshoot his goal. Bruce Lee's body size looks really average to be honest, but his muscle definition is amazing.


I have 2 friends, one is 5'7 and the other is 5'5. They also wanted to bulk up slightly but not too much. They both overshot their goal in under 6 months and are trying very hard to slim down. The shorter you are, the bigger muscles appear, and for me personally, big muscles on someone of under average height isn't that good looking. That's just my opinion, I'm not bashing anyone.

Also aestethically bulky when clothed just looks fat. There's no way to tell the difference between a fat person and a buff person unless he is shirtless, and he is going to be shirtless like 0.2% of all its time outside

[Xardas]

153 pounds of ripped up steel uh

you don't have to be 200 lbs to have a decent lean body expecially if huge is not your goal, this bullying attitude is getting old and no one cares for it anymore... it's so 1999 (stupid years of retarded broscience and horrible monsters in spandex haunting the gym)

[Orlando1234977]

Also aestethically bulky when clothed

aestethically

you don't have to be 200 lbs to have a decent lean body expecially if huge is not your goal, this bullying attitude is getting old and no one cares for it anymore...

expecially

it's so 1999 (stupid years of retarded broscience

1999 = years

[PeterGibbons316]

Also note that in 1999 this kid would have been 6 years old.

[Xardas]

Also note that in 1999 this kid would have been 6 years old.

There are many articles from those years (i.e end of 90's and beginning of 2000) on the net and the amount of retarded broscience is scary as much as the spandex on videos from those years. Lucky me I was too young to join a gym.

[Xardas]

aestethically



expecially



1999 = years

you proved my point about childish old-school bullying, you're too old fashioned for this world

[Orlando1234977]

You're simply terming bulky muscle as muscle plus fat..
There isn't a training variable for 'bulky.'

Also aestethically bulky when clothed just looks fat.

see above.

stupid years of retarded broscience

funny.. you're the one using broscience.. Mr. 'Bulky'

Get some gym experience... it may all make sense soon.

[PeterGibbons316]

Get some gym experience... it may all make sense soon.

But what if he gets TOO BIG?!?!?

[Orlando1234977]

this bullying attitude is getting old

Actually it was rude and I typically never take random shots at people, but if you knew Henmaniac's posting history you may understand. It's not random bullying and doubt he's offended.

But what if he gets TOO BIG?!?!?

lol then he should go for the 'leannn' kind of hypertrophy.. Or maybe the medium leannn kind.

But definitely not the bulky hypertrophy, the kind that explodes and you can't get rid of. It's not fat it's muscle bulk and you can't get rid of it. Happens in a hurry too! /sarcasm

[Gorah]

You know what your problem is? Your problem is that you're focusing on the things in life that don't really matter. When I was a kid I had hopes and dreams. We all did. But over time, the daily grind gets in the way and you miss the things that really matter, even though they are right in front of you, staring you in the face. I think the next time you should ask yourself "Am I on the right track here?". I don't mean to be rude but people like you I really pity. So maybe you could use the few brain cells you have and take advantage of the knowledge I have given you now. Good luck...

Ha ha ha ha! Top marks for randomness.

[Gorah]

Okay, thanks for the helpful replies.

No thanks to the others (you know who you are), but live well and be well anyway.

I have actually been working out for several years, and have a shape I'm pretty happy with. It's very much a minor aspect of my life and, I've discovered, this is probably not the best place for my queries, as by expressing a goal that doesn't fit in with the norm, or – god forbid – not knowing as much as some other users, is to draw caustic remarks and sarcasm.

Please be clear:
I am not disparaging you for your big muscles!

I fully acknowledge all your hard work and don't want to hurt your feelings or belittle your achievements in looking after your own body.

Good luck to all of you with your goals. Keep a perspective.

[kelleyb4947]

I couldn't see how that link was helpful. To my eye, it's very bulky. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

If 5'10 160lbs. is bulky to you, you're on the wrong website bud.

[Sinaku5]

My dilemma is, I'm getting pretty muscular.

What a dilemma

[jgreystoke]

His reply was prob the best for you. His point is your being naive. Muscle takes years of dedication and proper dieting to build. Basically your fear and "problem" is naive at best. Either bulk up and cut when your happy or cut and slow bulk till ur happy. Having a fear of becoming too big IS naive. You obviously don't know the time effort and work involved.

This!

[RockCrab]

If 5'10 160lbs. is bulky to you, you're on the wrong website bud.

It's been over a year. He probably ISN"T on this website anymore.

Strong first post.