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Nate355RS · 01-26-2010, 11:23 AM

I am 6'2 210 lbs and according to Doug's calculations I'm at 25% body fat.

My goal is to put on as much muscle as possible and I would like to bulk right now but I'm not sure if at 25% that is the best thing I should do. I will cut first if I need to, but would much rather bulk now and cut later. Just trying to see what you guys think my best course of action would be.

Also if I bulk now and put on more muscle than fat, am I right at assume that my body fat % would go down?

delaroche · 01-26-2010, 11:51 AM

How do you feel about yourself? I mean physically, you don't need to lay down on a couch.

It's really up to you. I guess two lines of thought are: bulk first and gain some muscle so when you cut you'll have more to show. The second, cut first to get to a lower BF% and 'build' from there. So it's really if you wanna work top-down (bulk-cut) or bottom-up (cut-bulk). I don't think there's going to be a definitive answer, mainly because we can't see you and it's really up to what you're comfortable with.

As to your BF% question, things that will change it are: a change in composition or a change in total weight. Ceteris parabis, an increase in muscle (or really anything other than fat - water weight, muscle/bone density) will decrease your BF%.

santosa · 01-26-2010, 01:41 PM

Many veterans here suggested that if your BF% is above 20%, you should cut first. If it's in between 15-20%, both ways are fine. If it's under 15%, bulk.

At 25% BF, I think you'll see more visible, satisfying result if you cut first. Too much BF will make your muscle growth less visible.

Nate355RS · 01-26-2010, 02:16 PM

Thanks for the input, I'm fairly comfortable with my body fat at this point, although I would definitley like for it to be less down the road.

I use to weigh 255 at the start of last summer. Since then I've dropped about 45 pounds and frankly I'm tired of cutting and would like to start putting muscle on. I'm just wondering if I'm physically at the point where I should do that or if I should continue to cut for a few months longer.

It maybe like delaroche said and just a judgement call of whether to bulk-cut or cut-bluk, but for my situation if one has more health benefits over the other I'll do what's best. I've also heard that the 15-20% range is ideal but I just really want to start putting on muscle.

delaroche · 01-27-2010, 02:42 AM

As mentioned, your BF% will decrease if you improve your diet and start working out. It won't change as drastically as if you were cutting though. You seem to have a desire to bulk and if you're leaning in that direction, you may see better results then just forcing yourself to do something else (cut).

01-26-2010, 11:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
Nate355RS Just joined M&S Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Salem, VA Gender: Male Training Exp: 6-12 Months Current Goal: Cut Fat Photos: Nate355RS's Gallery Posts: 23 Rep Power: 3	Should I bulk? I am 6'2 210 lbs and according to Doug's calculations I'm at 25% body fat. My goal is to put on as much muscle as possible and I would like to bulk right now but I'm not sure if at 25% that is the best thing I should do. I will cut first if I need to, but would much rather bulk now and cut later. Just trying to see what you guys think my best course of action would be. Also if I bulk now and put on more muscle than fat, am I right at assume that my body fat % would go down?

01-26-2010, 01:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
santosa Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Gender: Male Training Exp: 6-12 Months Current Goal: Build Muscle Photos: santosa's Gallery Posts: 300 Rep Power: 7	Many veterans here suggested that if your BF% is above 20%, you should cut first. If it's in between 15-20%, both ways are fine. If it's under 15%, bulk. At 25% BF, I think you'll see more visible, satisfying result if you cut first. Too much BF will make your muscle growth less visible. __________________ When you were born, you cried and other people smiled. Live your life well so that when you die you smile and other people cry. Goal: Maintain BF not to exceed 12%, bigger pecs and arms, and more defined abs. Last edited by santosa; 01-26-2010 at 01:43 PM.

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01-26-2010, 11:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
delaroche Frequent Poster Join Date: May 2007 Location: Melbourne Gender: Male Training Exp: 2-3 Years Current Goal: Build Muscle Photos: delaroche's Gallery Posts: 657 Rep Power: 19	How do you feel about yourself? I mean physically, you don't need to lay down on a couch. It's really up to you. I guess two lines of thought are: bulk first and gain some muscle so when you cut you'll have more to show. The second, cut first to get to a lower BF% and 'build' from there. So it's really if you wanna work top-down (bulk-cut) or bottom-up (cut-bulk). I don't think there's going to be a definitive answer, mainly because we can't see you and it's really up to what you're comfortable with. As to your BF% question, things that will change it are: a change in composition or a change in total weight. Ceteris parabis, an increase in muscle (or really anything other than fat - water weight, muscle/bone density) will decrease your BF%.

01-26-2010, 02:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
Nate355RS Just joined M&S Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Salem, VA Gender: Male Training Exp: 6-12 Months Current Goal: Cut Fat Photos: Nate355RS's Gallery Posts: 23 Rep Power: 3	Thanks for the input, I'm fairly comfortable with my body fat at this point, although I would definitley like for it to be less down the road. I use to weigh 255 at the start of last summer. Since then I've dropped about 45 pounds and frankly I'm tired of cutting and would like to start putting muscle on. I'm just wondering if I'm physically at the point where I should do that or if I should continue to cut for a few months longer. It maybe like delaroche said and just a judgement call of whether to bulk-cut or cut-bluk, but for my situation if one has more health benefits over the other I'll do what's best. I've also heard that the 15-20% range is ideal but I just really want to start putting on muscle.

01-27-2010, 02:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
delaroche Frequent Poster Join Date: May 2007 Location: Melbourne Gender: Male Training Exp: 2-3 Years Current Goal: Build Muscle Photos: delaroche's Gallery Posts: 657 Rep Power: 19	As mentioned, your BF% will decrease if you improve your diet and start working out. It won't change as drastically as if you were cutting though. You seem to have a desire to bulk and if you're leaning in that direction, you may see better results then just forcing yourself to do something else (cut).