When to end cut

[JS1888]

Hi Everyone,

Looking for some advice. I have been cutting for the last 14 weeks and have went from 175lb to 162lb. I’m 6’0. I want to go on a lean bulk for basically as long as I can until I get too fat and need to cut. My question is am I lean enough to end my cut and start bulking yet? I don’t care about getting shredded as I don’t have enough muscle mass yet but want to have enough room to bulk for 4/5 months as this will obviously include some fat gain.

A lot of info online says you need to be 15% body fat or under to bulk and I’m guessing I’m around 18-20% which makes me think I should continue cutting but I don’t want to just get really skinny I want to build muscle and obviously need a slight surplus for that.

imgur.com/a/KfOHTLD

[Tommy W.]

You could go either way right now but if I was you I’d be adding muscle

[faithbrah]

depends on your goals really. i'd cut more simply because i like being lean (currently around 18-20% bf too and not really my thing)

[xsquid99]

There are ZERO rules to cutting and bulking when it comes to actual BF percentages, its your body and only you know what you're going to feet comfortable with.

But that being said, generally 20% or so is regarded at the upper end of a "healthy" male as far as BF percentage goes so thats generally what I recommend as the top end of a bulk for those that don't have a lot of muscle and can't really support getting down into the lower numbers yet.

Looking at your photo, I think you could stand to lose a bit more before bulking, but thats going to be completely up to you.

[air2fakie]

In Soviet Russia, the cut ends you!

[Tommy W.]

Rather than relying on BF% which usually isn't right anyway, use the mirror to determine a direction. What bothers you more, lack of muscle or extra body fat? Fix what bothers you more.

[JS1888]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I’m thinking I might cut for 2 more weeks and then start to up the calories and transition into a lean bulk.

Hopefully after my bulk when I come back to cutting will be easier as will have more muscle mass and a higher metabolism which could help me get reasonably lean.

[Tommy W.]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I’m thinking I might cut for 2 more weeks and then start to up the calories and transition into a lean bulk.

Hopefully after my bulk when I come back to cutting will be easier as will have more muscle mass and a higher metabolism which could help me get reasonably lean.

people overestimate how many calories extra muscle burns on a daily basis. It’s only around 6-8 calories per pound so don’t expect much of a change in metabolic rate.

[smokinal]

I think I'd get a few more pounds off first.

Be very careful when you start to reverse diet though. Up the cals very slowly, in small increments. Watch the scale closely. It's very easy to go up too fast and add too much fat. A lean bulk needs just as much attention as a cut does.