For some, the route of a clean bulk is the best choice although it may take longer. And for others, a dirty bulk is the method they choose because its faster and they aren't focused on having 6 pack abs all year round.
Each come with benefits and drawbacks. Clean bulk you minimize the amount of fat you gain so it's easier to cut, but results are slower. With a dirty bulk you'll gain quicker but you'll also gain more fat.
Dirty Bulking vs Clean Bulking: The Facts
You're less likely to gain body fat that way. Dirty bulking, on the other hand, is when you pay less attention to the size of your calorie surplus. You'll likely build muscle faster this way, but the downside is you'll also have less control over body fat during the process.
The general rule is that consuming an excess of at least 2,500 calories per week can help increase lean tissue by one pound of gained mass. This number is derived from several published studies, but it is generalized for the 'average exerciser.
The cons. Bad news first: A clean bulk is hard. Everything that makes whole, nutritious foods an advantage for people trying to lose weight (it's filling, high in fiber, and nutrient-dense) makes it challenging when you're trying to increase caloric consumption.
Clean bulking is a smart approach to building lean mass. It focuses on consuming nutrient-dense, whole foods and can also focus on consuming the proper calorie surplus to maximize muscle gain while minimizing adding body fat. A clean bulk should last a minimum of 16 weeks but can go up to 52 weeks in some cases.
Can I Use the 2,500-Calorie Diet to Gain Muscle? Yes, you can. This is commonly known as bulking – a muscle gaining phase of body building where you intentionally consume more calories than your body needs and work out more through weight training.
A classic bulk usually means aiming to gain about 0.5–1 pound per week. That usually means eating a calorie surplus of 200–400 calories, weighing yourself every week, and adjusting. If you're gaining weight too slowly, add 200 calories.
Now, for the age-old question: should you do cardio during bulking? The answer is yes, but with a balanced approach. Too much cardio can counteract the calorie surplus you need for muscle growth, making it harder to see progress.
Processed meats, such as sausages, bacon, and ham, often find their way into our diets, but they are not the best choices for muscle development. These meats are typically high in sodium and saturated fats, which can be counterproductive to our muscle-building goals.
It is impossible for fat to directly turn into muscle, since fat lacks the nitrogen and no mechanism exists in the body to reconstruct fat into amino acids. No evidence has surfaced implying that amino acids can be made in the body from anything other than other amino acids, a process known as transamination.
Is peanut butter good for muscle building? If you're looking to bulk up, peanut butter does have protein—but it might not be the most efficient option. Two tablespoons of peanut butter have eight grams of protein, and about 190 calories. A typical protein bar has about 200 calories, and 20 grams of protein.
Bananas are an excellent source of natural carbohydrates, which are essential for muscle fuel. They are rich in potassium, which plays a significant role in muscle contraction and preventing muscle weakness.
Or does the amount of fat you have stay the same? Yes, it is possible to get leaner on a lean bulk, also known as body recomposition. This is the process of simultaneously gaining muscle mass while losing body fat.
We normally recommend gaining 20 pounds over 3–5 months.
It is a macronutrient (macro) split/macro tracking diet with its total daily calorie content composing of 40% carbohydrate, 40% protein and 20% fat. Bodybuilders employ this macro split when they wish to 'cut' (lose weight), maintain or 'bulk' (gain weight).
Clean Bulking:
Pros: Promotes lean muscle gain while minimizing fat accumulation. Cons: Progress may be slower due to controlled calorie intake.
High intensity cardio burns far too many calories to incorporate into your bulk. This means that you need to stick to low intensity exercise that promotes cardiovascular health without burning too many calories. Walking, jogging, cycling and elliptical machines are all good options for this.
Avoid sugar and processed food
Instead, the calories from that kind of food can be spent on more nutritious wholegrains, lean protein and good fats. Even when you're bulking, you still need to stick to a plan and routine so that your calories should never get out of hand.