cut or bulk?

[Hombre7]

In a predicament and looking for advice. Heres my stats:

5'11.5"
168lbs
somewhere between 15-18% bf
no visible abs, but some muscle development in legs, chest, and back.

Basically..I dont know if I should cut or bulk. I have some muscle development but not a lot, so i wouldnt say im classically "skinny-fat". Most of my fat is stored in my butt and gut.

My problem is that when I try to bulk (2700 cals with 180g protein, 100g fat, 270g carbs. 500cals over maintenance max) I naturally put on a little extra fat, but coupled with the fat I already have, i start to look a bit chunkier than Id want to.
Ideally, Id want to cut down to like 12% and then bulk..but Im not sure if I have enough muscle as a base to be able to cut down to that percentage.

So, can I cut down to 12% or should I bulk and cut after? Appreciate the input!

[AdamWW]

In a predicament and looking for advice. Heres my stats:

5'11.5"
168lbs
somewhere between 15-18% bf
no visible abs, but some muscle development in legs, chest, and back.

Basically..I dont know if I should cut or bulk. I have some muscle development but not a lot, so i wouldnt say im classically "skinny-fat". Most of my fat is stored in my butt and gut.

My problem is that when I try to bulk (2700 cals with 180g protein, 100g fat, 270g carbs. 500cals over maintenance max) I naturally put on a little extra fat, but coupled with the fat I already have, i start to look a bit chunkier than Id want to.
Ideally, Id want to cut down to like 12% and then bulk..but Im not sure if I have enough muscle as a base to be able to cut down to that percentage.

So, can I cut down to 12% or should I bulk and cut after? Appreciate the input!

What is your experience level in the gym? What are you lift levels for Bench/Squat/Deadlift?

Everyone gains some fat when they're gaining muscle... it's unavoidable if you want to optimize progress.

[Hombre7]

Been going to the gym about 3yrs, but prolly a year of training on a legit program (F5). Current 3x5 lifts are:
Bench-170
Squat-225
DL-195
OHP-115
Pull Ups-3x10 body weight

DL is lacking bc I wanted to get form down

[AdamWW]

Been going to the gym about 3yrs, but prolly a year of training on a legit program (F5). Current 3x5 lifts are:
Bench-170
Squat-225
DL-195
OHP-115
Pull Ups-3x10 body weight

DL is lacking bc I wanted to get form down

You're no where near strong enough to justify cutting at your bodyweight unless you are just so dead-set on being lean that you want to waste months of possible growth to obtain abs that no one will see.

Just eat in a very mild surplus and focus on adding weight to the bar.

Your issue is lean body mass and lacking strength, not having too much fat on you.

I'm surprised after a year on F5 you're only at a 225 squat and 170 bench... suggests you're either undereating, not recovering, or not following the program correctly.

[Hombre7]

You're no where near strong enough to justify cutting at your bodyweight unless you are just so dead-set on being lean that you want to waste months of possible growth to obtain abs that no one will see.

Just eat in a very mild surplus and focus on adding weight to the bar.

Your issue is lean body mass and lacking strength, not having too much fat on you.

I'm surprised after a year on F5 you're only at a 225 squat and 170 bench... suggests you're either undereating, not recovering, or not following the program correctly.

got it. How many cals in excess should I shoot for? 250? more?