When do you guys stop bulking?

[OralB]

What body fat percent do you guys usually go to until you stop bulking? I finally had my first successful one and don't want to stop yet, but I'm starting to get a gut. Dirty bulk got the better of me. I went from around 160 to 195 in about 5 months. Body fat calipers say about 20-22%. I'd like to see 200 but man, I don't want to get to a bad spot fat wise. Feel like I'd loose all the muscle I put on. I know I'm not the first one to have this predicament, when do you guys usually cut weight, around 25%?

[jademonkey]

Have you ever cut before?
Personally I hate being in a deficit, so I don't let myself get too fat. Also I hate fat. I cut when I had 14 lbs to lose. That took 9 weeks. Depends on how long you feel like cutting. Those 9 weeks felt like forever. I plan on cutting again when I hit 190.

I would never get over 20%

[Xpiro]

Why do you need to see 200? That number is meaningless, BF% is what matters.

[ElrondHubbard]

I go by how tight my pants feel.

[IvanNorge]

I have done dirty bulking in the past as well and will never repeat that again. Got to 225 lbs at 6'1 and was around 20-25 % BF and felt terrible.

A month ago I finished a long cut (16 weeks and 25 + lbs lost) and now I am planning on maintaining that weight, perhaps adding an extra 100 kcal above maintenance.

I would advise you if you are already over 20 %, to stop bulking, as you are already at a point of diminishing returns. Start reducing your calories weekly, to not jump right away into a huge deficit.

[TAWS6]

Over 20 is when health can decline. 35 lbs in 5 months is insane. Definitely start cutting to around 15 percent.

[NinaB55]

I knew I had finished bulking when I burst out of my jeans at the cinema and had to walk through the busiest street in my city with my frozen butt cheek in plain view.

Was going to bulk for 15 months, but ended up stopping at 12 months.

I put on 30lbs.

All the best.

[PurmaBulker1984]

If you bulk smart then it's not that bad. Just cut a few months a year to line up with vacations or summer. But you have a massive cut ahead of you where you will lose most your gains. Or spend the next 3 years recomping and doughy.

[hardyboysare]

I knew I had finished bulking when I burst out of my jeans at the cinema and had to walk through the busiest street in my city with my frozen butt cheek in plain view.

Was going to bulk for 15 months, but ended up stopping at 12 months.

I put on 30lbs.

All the best.

I can't see a problem with that if I am honest :-) Depends on what city I guess if it's down south certainly no problem.

We like unique clothing choices down here by the sea.

One of my bulks I knew it was time to cut when at work we had to have a meeting to discuss legal weight limits on vehicles and driver licences legality. Bad times....

[RapidFail]

If you've been doing everything right, you will have put on about 10lb muscle and 25lb fat in this bulk.

Personally, my limit is around 17-18% body fat, which is generally when my pants start getting too tight.

[Kasim7]

What body fat percent do you guys usually go to until you stop bulking? I finally had my first successful one and don't want to stop yet, but I'm starting to get a gut. Dirty bulk got the better of me. I went from around 160 to 195 in about 5 months. Body fat calipers say about 20-22%. I'd like to see 200 but man, I don't want to get to a bad spot fat wise. Feel like I'd loose all the muscle I put on. I know I'm not the first one to have this predicament, when do you guys usually cut weight, around 25%?

Your bodyfat is way too much, anything over or under %10 means lesser testosterone, less testosterone means less muscle, you should cut down asap. Aim for %10 and don't start bulk until at least %12.

Edit: And regarding when the stop bulk. I personally wouldn't go beyond %15 but if you're more okayish with fat don't go beyond %18. Anything over %19 is considered overweight and over %25 is considered obese.

[Millz12323]

Usually I stop bulking when I look at the price tag of new pants and I'm not willing to pay for new pants so rather than continue my bulk i go into a cut so that I don't need to buy pants in size 36

[OralB]

Thanks everyone for the feedback and insight, trying to rep everyone I can. Looks like I'll start to cut then. I'm worried that I will loose all the muscle I put on and go back to being skinny, but don't want to be unhealthy either. I'll stay lifting heavy and keep doing an hour of boxing a day for the cardio.

[Kasim7]

Thanks everyone for the feedback and insight, trying to rep everyone I can. Looks like I'll start to cut then. I'm worried that I will loose all the muscle I put on and go back to being skinny, but don't want to be unhealthy either. I'll stay lifting heavy and keep doing an hour of boxing a day for the cardio.

Keep your protein high and weight train during the cut to minimize muscle loss. You will lose some nevertheless but you can bring it down to %10

Use weightrainer.net/losscalc.html to determine how much you can lose max with min muscle loss

[spicewood1990]

When I have to start wiping from the front

[Oleg1975K]

I have done dirty bulking in the past as well and will never repeat that again. Got to 225 lbs at 6'1 and was around 20-25 % BF and felt terrible.

A month ago I finished a long cut (16 weeks and 25 + lbs lost) and now I am planning on maintaining that weight, perhaps adding an extra 100 kcal above maintenance.

I would advise you if you are already over 20 %, to stop bulking, as you are already at a point of diminishing returns. Start reducing your calories weekly, to not jump right away into a huge deficit.

If you had an honest 20% BF at 225, you'd be lifting something decent in weight, not what you were actually lifting. )))

[PurmaBulker1984]

When I have to start wiping from the front

Haha. #lifegoals

OP ignore that 10% stuff most little guys think they are sub 10% because they can see their abs but they are no where near it . True sub 10% is toxic to longterm health. Aim for a weight you like a go a few lbs below it. Then bulk till you aren't happy and repeat. Some guys that's a small difference, others can tolerate 20-30lb swings. But never gain more than 4 lbs a month again.

[OralB]

But never gain more than 4 lbs a month again.

You right, mistakes were made. Oddly enough I don't think I want to dip below 18-20% though, I kind of enjoy having some flub right now. I'll need to trim back before bulking again though or I'll be the Pillsbury dough boy in no time. I've been trying to bulk up and do MMA at the same time, and I can't seem to keep weight on because of all that cardio. I think I'll keep lifting to maintain and just not eat as much. Loose some of the fat then keep bulking. You guys are the best, thank you.

[spicewood1990]

Haha. #lifegoals

OP ignore that 10% stuff most little guys think they are sub 10% because they can see their abs but they are no where near it . True sub 10% is toxic to longterm health. Aim for a weight you like a go a few lbs below it. Then bulk till you aren't happy and repeat. Some guys that's a small difference, others can tolerate 20-30lb swings. But never gain more than 4 lbs a month again.

Try 317lb to 230lb



Took 11 months from first to second pic

OP I'm not suggesting this btw ^
I had some specific 'goals' when getting that fat

[Kasim7]

Haha. #lifegoals

OP ignore that 10% stuff most little guys think they are sub 10% because they can see their abs but they are no where near it . True sub 10% is toxic to longterm health. Aim for a weight you like a go a few lbs below it. Then bulk till you aren't happy and repeat. Some guys that's a small difference, others can tolerate 20-30lb swings. But never gain more than 4 lbs a month again.

There is a difference between being fat and muscular and lean and muscular. Both aestethics and health wise. You could be fit and %20 and look "big" or be fit %10 and look much more appealing and much more better health wise.

A %10 person with the same amount of muscle as a %20 person can also lift much heavier due to not having to carry around the useless fat tissue and will have a much higher testosterone. Will be able to run much better as well and have a better blood sugar level and better cardiovascular health.

[SuffolkPunch]

There is a difference between being fat and muscular and lean and muscular. Both aestethics and health wise. You could be fit and %20 and look "big" or be fit %10 and look much more appealing and much more better health wise.

A %10 person with the same amount of muscle as a %20 person can also lift much heavier due to not having to carry around the useless fat tissue and will have a much higher testosterone. Will be able to run much better as well and have a better blood sugar level and better cardiovascular health.

Not so sure about that. I don't think 20% is going to have much of an impact on someone healthwise if they are active. It isn't that fat for an adult male.

Also, strength althletes tend to have higher BF% than bodybuilders and of course they are stronger. This is because there is a cost associated with staying that lean - less time spent in a calorie surplus. It's uncommon for strength athletes to be very lean unless they are squeezing into a weight class.

[Kasim7]

Not so sure about that. I don't think 20% is going to have much of an impact on someone healthwise if they are active. It isn't that fat for an adult male.

Also, strength althletes tend to have higher BF% than bodybuilders and of course they are stronger. This is because there is a cost associated with staying that lean - less time spent in a calorie surplus. It's uncommon for strength athletes to be very lean unless they are squeezing into a weight class.

Doctors say over %18 is overweight for men and over %25 is obese.

When you say more body fat means lifting heavier, I suggest you link a science based link to that, because logic wise it makes absolute no sense. The fat tissue will add no strength at all and weaken your strength due to additional weight, and lesser testosterone. More fat than %10 means testosterone being converted to estrogen.

Healthwise, being overweight is not as bad as being obese, yet it's definitely a deteriorating factor for your health. Whether it be diabetes and heart health.

medscape.com/answers/123702-11456/what-is-the-definition-of-obesity-based-on-body-fat-percentage

[SuffolkPunch]

You are conflating someones weight with their conditioning. It's perfectly possible to be 20% and very fit and active. Broad population statistics do not capture that because there is an inherent bias - fatter people are less active.

Simply estimate the BF% of a broad range of strength athletes. You will find very few top Olympic lifters and powerlifters and strongmen have the good ab definition you would have at 10%. American football players for example probably average in the high teens or more. Rubgy players too.

Nobody is saying that fat itself makes you stronger - but it is a better anabolic environment than being very lean. This is why fat people can often recomp successfully whereas lean people can't. Remember we are talking about active individuals here, not those who have neglected their bodies for extended periods and may be suffering from insulin resistance and other metabolic disorders.

[Kasim7]

You are conflating someones weight with their conditioning. It's perfectly possible to be 20% and very fit and active. Broad population statistics do not capture that because there is an inherent bias - fatter people are less active.

Simply estimate the BF% of a broad range of strength athletes. You will find very few top Olympic lifters and powerlifters and strongmen have the good ab definition you would have at 10%. American football players for example probably average in the high teens or more. Rubgy players too.

Nobody is saying that fat itself makes you stronger - but it is a better anabolic environment than being very lean. This is why fat people can often recomp successfully whereas lean people can't. Remember we are talking about active individuals here, not those who have abused their bodies for extended periods and may be suffering from insulin resistance and other metabolic disorders.

What a terrible and baseless advice right here. This is not even bro science, it's just misleading people into a terrible place health wise. Do you know your own bodyfat?

American Football players absolutely do not have %20 BF, otherwise they would have large bellies juping around. Also you did not link anything to this claim, which proves that it is what you believe rather than a research.

And this word "better anabolic environment than being very lean" is just outright denial of biology. You will have a much higher testosterone at %10 than what you will at %20. Making you able to build less muscle. I suppose you believe that the fat on top of your muscles also makes you "big".

Ronnie colemans arms are 22 inches for example. You can have the same arms at about %30 BF, do you think you will look as appealing as him? No. Why not? Because you will have a belly wider than your shoulders, much less vascularity and terrible performance which will make you walk less than 10 minutes.

[SuffolkPunch]

Yes I do know it, 13% measured by underwater weighing and 7 point caliper. What's the relevance of that?

I put it to YOU that you don't know what 20% really looks like. On a built guy it barely looks different to 15%. Do you really think that a 250lb football player is only 10%? Compare that level of lean mass to top bodybuilders... just unrealistic.

Show me your evidence that active people with 20% bodyfat have less test than those at 10%. I would actually expect the opposite to be true. 10% is just a lot lower than you think it is - and not sustainable for most people.

[Oleg1975K]

There is a difference between being fat and muscular and lean and muscular. Both aestethics and health wise. You could be fit and %20 and look "big" or be fit %10 and look much more appealing and much more better health wise.

A %10 person with the same amount of muscle as a %20 person can also lift much heavier due to not having to carry around the useless fat tissue and will have a much higher testosterone. Will be able to run much better as well and have a better blood sugar level and better cardiovascular health.

It's the opposite - being 20% BF is better for health than 10% ( I'm talking about an adult man, not a child). Negative health effects begin to occur when you have more than 25% BF. And Vice versa, when below 12%. 10% is the same limit as 25%.

[Kasim7]

Yes I do know it, 13% measured by underwater weighing and 7 point caliper. What's the relevance of that?

I put it to YOU that you don't know what 20% really looks like. On a built guy it barely looks different to 15%. Do you really think that a 250lb football player is only 10%? Compare that level of lean mass to top bodybuilders... just unrealistic.

Show me your evidence that active people with 20% bodyfat have less test than those at 10%. I would actually expect the opposite to be true. 10% is just a lot lower than you think it is - and not sustainable for most people.

quora.com/What-is-an-ideal-body-fat-percentage-for-optimal-testosterone-health-for-men

Body fat starts to interfere with testosterone levels at less than 10%, and over 15%

And yes, I do believe a 6,7 person can weight 250lb at %10. Also, top lean mass bodybuilders are juicing to get that huge mass. And if you believe the top bodybuilders are anything over 8%, you have likely never read about bodybuilders.

[Kasim7]

It's the opposite - being 20% BF is better for health than 10% ( I'm talking about an adult man, not a child). Negative health effects begin to occur when you have more than 25% BF. And Vice versa, when below 12%. 10% is the same limit as 25%.

Doctors would disagree. Do you have a link that support being fat is healthier than being lean? This is hilarious.

[Oleg1975K]

Doctors would disagree. Do you have a link that support being fat is healthier than being lean? This is hilarious.

Dude, the doctors are going to agree with what I'm writing now, not the heresy you're babbling about. By medical standards, an adult man up to 18-19% is called lean, over 23% will be diagnosed with "pre-obesity" (because this condition is not dangerous to health in itself, but there is a risk of moving to fat people), and only over 25% will be diagnosed with the 1st (ie, the most initial degree of obesity)

[SuffolkPunch]

link doesn't work.

Also, quora is for opinions. Post the original source

Have you actually done the sums for LBM of athletes? How come most of them don't have sharply cut abs? - you haven't managed to answer this question so far.

As I have already mentioned, health and bodyweight are based on statistics - and heavier people are that way partly because they are less active. You will find no evidence that people who are 20% and ACTIVE are less healthy than those at 10%.