How do I know if I should bulk or cut?

If your goal is to gain muscle and strength and you aren’t concerned with gaining a bit of fat in the process, a bulk may be a good choice. On the other hand, if you’re looking to lose fat and maintain muscle, a cut may be more in line with your goals.

Is cutting or bulking better?

You should bulk first if you are skinny fat. A 10% caloric surplus is optimal to build muscle while ensuring you don’t put on a lot of excess body fat. Stay in a surplus for a minimum of 4 months and then begin a slow, gradual cut.

How do you get clear cut muscles?

Your Complete Guide to Getting Ripped

  1. Step 1: Strength Train to Build Muscle.
  2. Step 2: Cut Calories to Lose Fat.
  3. Step 3: Eat Enough Protein.
  4. Step 4: Eat a Moderate Amount of Healthy Fats.
  5. Step 5: Try Carb Cycling.
  6. Step 6: Use Portion Control.
  7. Step 7: Add High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
  8. Step 8: Get Some Sleep.

Is bulking and cutting the most effective?

Yes, bulking and cutting often will work. Yes, there is a lot of hard work and dedication involved in terms of sticking to a regular workout routine and dieting while on a cut, but, it is neither sustainable nor enjoyable.

When should I start bulking after cutting?

Generally speaking, your maintenance phase should be roughly 25-50% the length of your cut. You will often gain a few pounds initially during the maintenance phase, but then find some stability for a few weeks prior to starting your bulk.

How can I get super lean fast?

Diet

  1. Cut Your Calories. The most important part of obtaining a lean physique is inducing a caloric deficit.
  2. Consume Plenty of Protein.
  3. Eat Plenty of Greens.
  4. Don’t Be Afraid of Carbs.
  5. Don’t Do Cheat Meals Right Away.
  6. Drink Lots of Water.
  7. Try Fasted Cardio.
  8. Lift Heavier.

How long should a cut last?

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.

Why do bodybuilders cut?

Cutting is an increasingly popular workout technique. It’s a fat-loss phase that bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts use to get as lean as possible. Typically started a few months before a major workout regimen, it involves a weight loss diet that’s meant to maintain as much muscle as possible.

Is 13 body fat lean?

According to the American Council on Exercise, the average for a guy is 18% to 24% body fat; 15% to 17% body fat puts you in the fitness category, while 6% to 13% body fat is athlete status. Guys below 20% body fat typically have muscle definition of some sort. As the numbers drop, that definition increases.

Which is better to lose weight bulk or cut?

Cutting means to lose weight with a focus on fat loss. Bulking meals to gain weight with a focus on muscle growth. So, it is not possible to cut and bulk simultaneously, but it is possible to gain muscle and lose fat at the same time under certain circumstances, which I explain in this guide. Is cutting better than bulking?

When to cut or bulk for better physique?

Both options will lead to improvements in your physique. The two exceptions to this rule are if you’re significantly overweight or noticeably scrawny. If you fall into the former category, you should cut. And if you fall into the latter, you should bulk. It would simply be unhealthy to do otherwise.

Who is the best person to bulk or cut first?

Simply put, those who aren’t lean enough to bulk should cut first. This would obviously include anyone who is overweight or obese, as well as anyone who is above the ideal range for bulking that we just discussed. Specifically… Men who are above 15% body fat should cut first. Women who are above 23% body fat should cut first.

When to cut first before bulking or cutting?

Deciding whether to bulk or cut first should be based on the following: If your body fat is moderate-high, then you probably want to start with cutting. If your body fat is fairly low, then you probably want to start with bulking. So, what body fat percentage is considered moderate-high?