Will adding more muscle make body fat look better?

[Cammg95]

I'm 189IBS, quite a fair bit of body fat id say but not enough that it covers my muscle mass. I was wondering if bulking more muscle will make my body fat look somewhat better? My chest is quite fleshy, I am really lifting hard for my chest, I just don't know why whether to add more muscle than cut, or cut than baulk?

[Animal2692]

I'm 189IBS, quite a fair bit of body fat id say but not enough that it covers my muscle mass. I was wondering if bulking more muscle will make my body fat look somewhat better? My chest is quite fleshy, I am really lifting hard for my chest, I just don't know why whether to add more muscle than cut, or cut than baulk?

Gaining muscle will lower your bodyfat percentage as your lean body mass increases if you're lean bulking with minimal fat gain that is. If you're a beginner, you can recomp pretty well where you gain muscle and lose fat. I'd say to either cut or recomp for a while before bulking.

[Filmbuff81]

Yes and no.

To a point it’ll make you look better, but eventually you’ll just look fat and need to cut.

So if you have a ton of fat to lose, dropping 10-15lbs may be more advisable and then slowly bulking from there.

This comes down to your own personal tolerance for how fat you’re willing to get and look.

Plus just the negative health effects of being too portly can cause issues.

You may put on a little bit of lean tissue as you drop weight if you’re a total beginner, in which case eating at maintenance may provided a net benefit.

Lots of words to say it depends on your situation and preferences.

[air2fakie]

A pic would help for feedback, or at least your height.

[Cammg95]

A pic would help for feedback, or at least your height.

How do I upload a photo here?

[Animal2692]

How do I upload a photo here?

Upload it to https://imgbb.com/ and then drop the link here.

[air2fakie]

How do I upload a photo here?

I'm an avi less bot, so not the one to ask. But I think you can put one on your bodyspace profile, or post a link with spaces in the web address if you're post count's not high enough to post attachments.

[Cammg95]

I'm an avi less bot, so not the one to ask. But I think you can put one on your bodyspace profile, or post a link with spaces in the web address if you're post count's not high enough to post attachments.

I posted one to my profile

[Animal2692]

I posted one to my profile

I see it. I'd personally cut/recomp. Looking to be closer to 20% but still not a very good picture of just your side with a tank. Better to take one shirtless for us instead (no homo).

I don't believe in bulking until about 12% or so bf. With 20% bf and most likely being a beginner, you'd recomp no problem.

[BeginnerGainz]

Cut and get on a good program for a month or so. The best thing about carrying extra BF is you can cut and still make progress for a while.

[air2fakie]

I posted one to my profile

You're not as out of shape as I was expecting from your description, which is why I suggested it since it helps give an accurate idea.

Like those above, I also recommend cutting. Doesn't have to be until 12% bf, just until you are relatively happy with the amount of fat on your body. Then a slight surplus.

[paulinkansas]

I posted one to my profile

You look like one of the 2 dudes in Napoleon Dynomite that would drive around and offer protection.

[TolerantLactose]

Cut with a small deficit. You look like you have a decent amount of lean mass and I don't see a need to rush the fat loss.

[smokinal]

I would definitely cut. Guys think they'll look smaller if they lose weight which is completely opposite. You'll actually look more muscular if you cut to where you have some lines

[Animal2692]

I would definitely cut. Guys think they'll look smaller if they lose weight which is completely opposite. You'll actually look more muscular if you cut to where you have some lines

Truth. You also don't realize how fat you are until you cut. The shirt may be looser but once it comes off it's, "new lines, who dis?"

[air2fakie]

Truth. You also don't realize how fat you are until you cut. The shirt may be looser but once it comes off it's, "new lines, who dis?"

You also don't realize how bad your eyesight is until you go to an eye doctor. Never doing that again. 20/20 all day.

[BeginnerGainz]

You also don't realize how bad your eyesight is until you go to an eye doctor. Never doing that again. 20/20 all day.

Pffft. Just got contoura lasik done last month and I’m at 20/12. Come @ me.

I would definitelys cut. Guys think they'll look smaller if they lose weight which is completely opposite. You'll actually look more muscular if you cut to where you have some lines

This all day. I have been lifting on and off for a little over 2 years and never looked like it till I decided to take my diet seriously and have some discipline in what I eat and when I decide to “cheat”. I have some lines and definition but I’m still over 20% bf, it is a long hard road for sure.

[klbbr]

I'm 189IBS, quite a fair bit of body fat id say but not enough that it covers my muscle mass. I was wondering if bulking more muscle will make my body fat look somewhat better? My chest is quite fleshy, I am really lifting hard for my chest, I just don't know why whether to add more muscle than cut, or cut than baulk?

You'd look hella lot better if you'd cut down to say ten percent. If you're working out for aesthetics then cut or recomp, as Animal2692 says, and then do a lean bulk. Find your kcal needs to lean bulk, and stick to that. That's my two cents. And they're worth $20.

You've got a good baseline.