Thread: What bodyfat when bulking, interesting

I'd judge not by bodyfat % but by what you want to weigh. If you're bulking on a clean diet like you should be, you'll gain plenty of weight but not get carried away with bodyfat.

exactly. ive gained 24 pounds since late summer now and have experienced maybe just a few pounds of fat gain. do it right and you wont have a problem

Originally Posted by Saturday Fever

I'd judge not by bodyfat % but by what you want to weigh. If you're bulking on a clean diet like you should be, you'll gain plenty of weight but not get carried away with bodyfat.

Well said. Also, if I do start getting some pudge, then I just cut. It's not a big deal. I try to use the mirror as a judge, not the scale. However, the scale is useful in tracking progress.

Originally Posted by QuestionGuy

Hey im on a major bulk again untill the first of january, and i was wondering about bodyfat, so for all the pros in here, until what bodyfat% do you go up to when bulking, me personaly i dont go up more than 15% ever but is it safe to go beyong that?? where do you guys cut of the bulking at what bodyfat% ???

If you are a natural bodybuilder, even 15% is too high. "Bulking" is not an excuse to get fat and out of shape. For me, 11-12% is the limit. If I hit 12, my abs are gone, my stomach juts out and the cuts start disappearing throughout the body, so I stay in the 10% range during the offseason.

I am going to quote some passages from the October issue of Muscular Development in the Q&A column of Charles Glass ( who is a well respected trainer of professional bodybuilders) to a similar question:

" The worst thing a natural bodybuilder can do is bulk up and diet down, especially in a short period of time...Bodybuilders using steroids have a tremendous advantage when it comes to dieting. Steroids are...anti catabolic( he goes on to say that those on steroids can bulk up and diet down without losing muscle).The scenario is quite different for a drug free bodybuilder. Without the benefit of anti catabolic drugs, all those things- the lowered calories and carbs and increased cardio-will burn a lot of muscle along with the fat". He goes on to say that the end result is likely that you end up with LESS muscle than before when the bulk/cut cycle is done.

He adds this final line of advice: " Now let me tell you what I consider a much better plan to be a successful (natural bodybuilder). Do not gain any weight unless it is at least 90 percent pure quality muscle."

Originally Posted by Egoatdoor

If you are a natural bodybuilder, even 15% is too high. "Bulking" is not an excuse to get fat and out of shape. For me, 11-12% is the limit. If I hit 12, my abs are gone, my stomach juts out and the cuts start disappearing throughout the body, so I stay in the 10% range during the offseason.

I am going to quote some passages from the October issue of Muscular Development in the Q&A column of Charles Glass ( who is a well respected trainer of professional bodybuilders) to a similar question:

" The worst thing a natural bodybuilder can do is bulk up and diet down, especially in a short period of time...Bodybuilders using steroids have a tremendous advantage when it comes to dieting. Steroids are...anti catabolic( he goes on to say that those on steroids can bulk up and diet down without losing muscle).The scenario is quite different for a drug free bodybuilder. Without the benefit of anti catabolic drugs, all those things- the lowered calories and carbs and increased cardio-will burn a lot of muscle along with the fat". He goes on to say that the end result is likely that you end up with LESS muscle than before when the bulk/cut cycle is done.

He adds this final line of advice: " Now let me tell you what I consider a much better plan to be a successful (natural bodybuilder). Do not gain any weight unless it is at least 90 percent pure quality muscle."

definetly agree, as adipose tissue is a great conversion site of test to estrogen(s). It's much easier to go from 15% to 20% bf than it is from 10% to 15%...

so your saying Lee Priest is going about it all wrong?

Originally Posted by Egoatdoor

If you are a natural bodybuilder, even 15% is too high. "Bulking" is not an excuse to get fat and out of shape. For me, 11-12% is the limit. If I hit 12, my abs are gone, my stomach juts out and the cuts start disappearing throughout the body, so I stay in the 10% range during the offseason.

I am going to quote some passages from the October issue of Muscular Development in the Q&A column of Charles Glass ( who is a well respected trainer of professional bodybuilders) to a similar question:

" The worst thing a natural bodybuilder can do is bulk up and diet down, especially in a short period of time...Bodybuilders using steroids have a tremendous advantage when it comes to dieting. Steroids are...anti catabolic( he goes on to say that those on steroids can bulk up and diet down without losing muscle).The scenario is quite different for a drug free bodybuilder. Without the benefit of anti catabolic drugs, all those things- the lowered calories and carbs and increased cardio-will burn a lot of muscle along with the fat". He goes on to say that the end result is likely that you end up with LESS muscle than before when the bulk/cut cycle is done.

He adds this final line of advice: " Now let me tell you what I consider a much better plan to be a successful (natural bodybuilder). Do not gain any weight unless it is at least 90 percent pure quality muscle."

Although I don't consider 15% fat, I agree with the main point here. I'm doing a lean bulk now. I will not increase my calories until I'm totally sure that growth has stopped. I don't mind being patient for weight gains.