Bulking first and then cutting allows you to increase muscle mass and then cut down excess fat or weight you gained during the bulk.
In theory, this cycling method will allow you to gradually gain muscle while preventing you from gaining excess fat. People usually bulk for a given amount of time followed by a cutting period to reduce excess fat.
Generally it doesn't matter a whole lot the frequency you choose what's important is to keep going until you achieve the desired results. However, for most I recommend bulking for 2-3 months, then cut down for however long you need to get rid of the unwanted amount of fat. Everyone will need a different amount of time.
IF I AM NEW TO WORKING OUT, SHOULD I CUT OR BULK FIRST? If you are new to working out and are at a healthy body weight, you should bulk first. The younger your training age, the quicker you are able to build muscle and therefore you should take advantage of this with a caloric surplus.
Unfortuantely, whether you go on a lean bulk or do a dirty bulk, fat gain is unavoidable. So, after ending one it's ideal to enter a cutting phase to lose the excess fat gained and to get leaner so the muscles you've developed really pop out!
If you want to gain muscle and strength as quickly as possible and you're at or below 10% (men) or 20% (women) body fat, then you should bulk. And if you want to lose fat as quickly as possible and you're at or above 15% (men) or 25% (women) body fat, then you should cut.
A dirty bulk refers to a period of aggressive weight gain used to promote muscle and strength gains in strength sports and certain team sports.
Once you reach a body fat percent of 15% for men or 25% for women, that's when you'll want to start the cut. With a calorie deficit and ensuing weight loss, you'll start losing that fat gain you've put on over the winter months.
First, the most effective bulking cycles are generally at least 3-4 months, if not longer. Where this can be difficult for some people is that even if you are incredibly on top of your macronutrients, you will likely also gain some fat while gaining muscle in a bulking cycle.
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.
Conclusion: Overall, the method of “bulking and cutting” is not the most effective. If you really want to do things the hard way, no one is likely to stop you. However, by simply increasing your protein intake and reducing your carbohydrate intake, you can bulk and cut at the same time.
Bulk vs Cut (or Recomp) FAQ. Should you bulk or cut first? If you are underweight, you should bulk. If you are overweight, you need to cut; however, the less training experience you have, the more likely it is that you will gain muscle simultaneously as you lean out (though you'll lose weight overall).
Bulking is the muscle-gaining phase. You're meant to intentionally consume more calories than your body needs for a set period — often 4–6 months. These extra calories provide your body with the necessary fuel to boost muscle size and strength while weight training ( 1 ).
For most beginners, gaining 2-4lbs of muscle per month is a realistic rate of muscle gain. More advanced lifters should aim to gain 1-2lbs of muscle per month, as research has shown slower rates of muscle gain the more advanced a lifter becomes.
Sleeping for 7-9 hours per night is crucial, especially if you are looking to change body composition, increase muscle mass and/or if you want to be ready for your personal training session the next day. Sleep enhances muscle recovery through protein synthesis and human growth hormone release.
A cutting diet lasts 2–4 months, depending on how lean you are before dieting, and is normally timed around bodybuilding competitions, athletic events, or occasions like holidays ( 4 ). A cutting diet aims to get you as lean as possible while maintaining muscle mass.
If you're lean enough to bulk (10-15% body fat or less for a man, or 18-23% or less for a woman), you should probably bulk first. If you're above these ranges, you should cut first. And if you're a beginner who's somewhere in the middle, you should recomp.
Getting Lean and Building Muscle
Your veins start to show when your body is at around 10 percent body fat. But, to maximize vein expulsion, your body fat should be below 8 percent.
It all depends on your goals. Cutting is the way to go if you want to lose fat. If you want to build muscles, a recomp is the best option.
You can lose body fat and gain lean body mass at the same time." Carpenter cited a study that found that men eating in a 40% energy deficit for four weeks while resistance training, doing high-intensity interval training, and consuming a high-protein diet were able to increase their lean body mass.
If you eat a large quantity of junk food when you bulk, you will get to your targeted weight quickly, but it is not that healthy for you. The number of carbs you will be ingesting can affect your blood sugar and your insulin levels which can alter your overall health.
When bulking, be sure to include a variety of nutrient-dense foods in your diet to support muscle growth and overall health. You should limit alcohol, added sugars, and fried foods, though certain supplements can be useful.
As your bulking starting point is within 9-12% in men or 20-24% in women, you will probably gain more muscle and less fat over the course of the bulk. And you can keep on 'lean' bulking like this, but only up to a point, which is about 13-17% for men and 25-27% for women.
So including more nutritious food options into your bulking diet could offer additional advantages. Lean bulking usually emphasizes more nutrient-dense, whole foods and has the potential to supply more nutrients than a dirty bulk loaded with heavily processed foods and empty calories.
Biologically, you can bulk at whichever body fat percentage you want. Health wise, you should never go above ~15% for males in my opinion. But even 15% is really high for a clean bulk. Most bodybuilders won't go above 12% in the off season.