Help please? Cutting and bulking?

**SlimmmShadyy** · 05-12-2011 04:42 PM

Hey, i see people talking about cutting and bulking. I'm really not sure what this means. Do i cut to get lean then bulk on the muscle i already have, or bulk first? I'm really not sure, or does it not matter?
Thanks!

**theotherjb** · 05-12-2011 08:43 PM

Hi Slim, the more experienced guys here will be able to give you details on specifics but essentially:-

- 'Cutting' is where you aim to reduce bodyfat percentage whilst keeping as much lean muscle mass and strength as possible. You will want to keep protein intake high and focus on High-weight, Low-rep compound moves. I have also found High intensity interval training (HIIT) a couple of times a week to work well for me as cardio with fat burning in mind.

- 'Bulking' is where you aim to put on muscle mass and keep bodyfat% increases to a minimum. The key to this is making sure that you eat ABOVE your maintenance calories (google Harris - Benedict equation) which may well be a lot more food than you realise, especially when eating cleanly. If you are trying to bulk and you are not gaining weight then you need to eat more.

It tends to be easier to focus on one at a time, hence why people go through cycles of bulking and then cutting. I don't know your goals or what kind of shape you are in but I would say that unless you are overweight I would concentrate on bulking until you have a decent amount of muscle as I am currently doing. If you gain too much bodyfat then yes, it may be better to cut for a bit but if you are eating right then this shouldn't happen.

**SlimmmShadyy** · 05-12-2011 09:28 PM

Quote

Originally Posted by theotherjb

- 'Cutting' is where you aim to reduce bodyfat percentage whilst keeping as much lean muscle mass and strength as possible. You will want to keep protein intake high and focus on High-weight, Low-rep compound moves. I have also found High intensity interval training (HIIT) a couple of times a week to work well for me as cardio with fat burning in mind.

I'm about 14-15% body fat, so should i cut then bulk do you think?

**SpiderDan** · 06-12-2011 08:12 AM

The leaner you are the greater the chance that excess calories will be put into muscle building rather than fat storage.

Being fat makes it easier to get fatter.

How about you pick a good program, do some conditioning, make some progress and then worry about it later?

**banxy85** · 09-12-2011 10:12 AM

Slimmm.....how long you been training, whats your goals, whats your diet and training like etc???
You sound fairly new, if so then its going to be more worthwhile just to focus on the basics and as long as your not a fat *****er to begin with then just eat above maintenance to build muscle.

And do squats an deadlifts

**dannnn123** · 18-12-2011 07:58 PM

I would say I have been working out for about 4-5 month, but not properly xD I want to get like lean. I have my diet sorted on around 2000 cals, about 160g protein, 50g fat and 150g carbs. I am currently eating 500 below maintenance, but will the high amount of protein still let me build muscle while losing weight? Also, I am starting SL 5x5 tomorrow

**Dolphinski** · 19-12-2011 12:09 AM

Quote

Originally Posted by dannnn123

I am currently eating 500 below maintenance, but will the high amount of protein still let me build muscle while losing weight?

No. Maybe for a couple of months if you're pretty new to lifting but you'd be much better being 500kcals over on training days than 500 under if you're starting a strength program.

**SpiderDan** · 19-12-2011 07:46 AM

Quote

Originally Posted by dannnn123

I would say I have been working out for about 4-5 month, but not properly xD I want to get like lean. I have my diet sorted on around 2000 cals, about 160g protein, 50g fat and 150g carbs. I am currently eating 500 below maintenance, but will the high amount of protein still let me build muscle while losing weight? Also, I am starting SL 5x5 tomorrow

Start training, eat enough to progress in the lifting. If you havent got any significant muscle you will have to be really skinny to be lean.....dont fall in to the same trap I did.