How long does your bulk/cut cycle last for?

DarkShadow · 13 Aug 2009 at 14:36

As per thread title,

About a year ago I was overweight at ~200lb. I lost a lot of bodyfat, I got down to 155lb. As of the past 4-5 weeks I've been bulking and I'm on the brink of 170lb. I've added a bit of bodyfat as you can imagine.

Now the question is how long do you guys cycle in between the bulk/cut cycle?

Smit · 13 Aug 2009 at 14:50

I don't bother with bulking/cutting any more... Just one long lean bulk.

Before I used to bulk for around 4 months and cut for 2.... Not sure if it was a good plan or not but seemed to be ok for me.

I think it depends on what you are trying to do. I guess on average you want to cut just before the summer or any holidays to look better on them.

Steedie · 13 Aug 2009 at 14:51

I bulked for 6, and then cut for 2.

Went upto 20% bodyfat. Then got back down to 12%

Worst 8 months of my life, it seriously isn't worth it unless you plan to compete

Just lean bulk like I am now, I'm getting good gains and my fat gains are pretty much non existant

DarkShadow · 13 Aug 2009 at 14:52

Steedie said:
I bulked for 6, and then cut for 2.

Went upto 20% bodyfat. Then got back down to 12%

Worst 8 months of my life, it seriously isn't worth it unless you plan to compete

Just lean bulk like I am now, I'm getting good gains and my fat gains are pretty much non existant

After doing a lot of reading, I'm drawn to the same conclusion.

Great article here for anyone who's interested in the above: http://www.tmuscle.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/the_truth_about_bulking%3bjsessionid=E383A3F7074235E851A35C78B18148DA.hydra

TheCybermonkey · 13 Aug 2009 at 16:20

I tried bulking last month and was suprised how hard it was to put on weight when eating good food.

In the end I decided that the small amount I was putting on would have been ideal if I was already as lean as I would like to be.

So the start of this month I started cutting again.
Plan is to get as lean as I can and then just eat well and clean so that I dont need to cut.

The article you linked and from what people keep saying on here and other forums just keep reafurming the message that bulking isnt the only way to go.

-G

Freefaller · 13 Aug 2009 at 16:38

I don't do bulk cut cycles... so it's either infinite bulking or negative cutting

TheCenturion · 13 Aug 2009 at 17:05

After reading that article, saying that a body can build between 0.25 and 0.5 pounds of fat per week, that would equal to between 0.9 and 1.8 stone per year.

I'd imagine that at best, I'd be at the lower end, but I'd still be really please to build around a stone each year, without gaining too much fat.

tom_e · 13 Aug 2009 at 17:06

anant_shah94 said:
After reading that article, saying that a body can build between 0.25 and 0.5 pounds of fat per week, that would equal to between 0.9 and 1.8 stone per year.

I'd imagine that at best, I'd be at the lower end, but I'd still be really please to build around a stone each year, without gaining too much fat.

I hope you mean muscle

Makunouchi · 13 Aug 2009 at 17:07

tom_e said:
I hope you mean muscle

No, he's talking about constructing Igneous rock type formations...

TheCenturion · 13 Aug 2009 at 17:15

Makunouchi said:
No, he's talking about constructing Igneous rock type formations...

I mean muscle

dun · 13 Aug 2009 at 17:55

Constant lean bulk is the way forward if you aren't preparing for a show.

TheCenturion · 13 Aug 2009 at 17:59

dun said:
Constant lean bulk is the way forward if you aren't preparing for a show.

One question: How do you lean bulk? I'm not sure how to go about finding my optimum protein carb and calorie intake.

neon.uk · 13 Aug 2009 at 18:10

I'm clean bulking until I reach 200lbs, then I'll go on a little cut if I feel it necessary.

I just eat lots of good, healthy high protein foods and take a protein shake after workout.

33 more lbs to go....

fonzee · 13 Aug 2009 at 19:27

dark_shadow said:
Great article here for anyone who's interested in the above: http://www.tmuscle.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/the_truth_about_bulking%3bjsessionid=E383A3F7074235E851A35C78B18148DA.hydra

indeed, very good article.

none of this extreme bulk/cut crap.

Buffman · 13 Aug 2009 at 21:35

I'm gonna lean bulk for as long as possible (at least till 14-15 stone) until body fat % goes ~20% then go on a cut back down to ~12-15% then continue lean bulk. The reason I think I may not stay so lean is due to me gaining weight pretty easily, and the fact university starts soon and I'll probably be drinking most weekends.

Morba · 13 Aug 2009 at 22:39

"how long does your bulk last for?"

Almost 31 years now :]

Freefaller · 14 Aug 2009 at 06:26

dun · 14 Aug 2009 at 20:14

anant_shah94 said:
One question: How do you lean bulk? I'm not sure how to go about finding my optimum protein carb and calorie intake.

Eat as much clean food as you can. Don't worry about "optimum protein carb and calorie intake"s just eat. After 3 months see how its going, if you are putting on a lot of fat cut down the amount you are eating, but most likely (iirc you way 60kg or so right now?) you will just be growing slowly but surely, which is what you should be aiming for imo.

TheCenturion · 14 Aug 2009 at 21:33

dun said:
Eat as much clean food as you can. Don't worry about "optimum protein carb and calorie intake"s just eat. After 3 months see how its going, if you are putting on a lot of fat cut down the amount you are eating, but most likely (iirc you way 60kg or so right now?) you will just be growing slowly but surely, which is what you should be aiming for imo.

lol, I wish, I weigh 40kg right now.

Thanks though, I'll eat as much as I can, as I don't eat nearly enough right now.

Buffman · 14 Aug 2009 at 21:36

anant_shah94 said:
lol, I wish, I weigh 40kg right now.

Thanks though, I'll eat as much as I can, as I don't eat nearly enough right now.

Thats nearly half my bodyweight.
I recommend this course of action;