Ok, let's say that you CAN build muscle and lose fat at the same time

[TxLonghorn]

Is it something that is desirable for the average person? Or would the average person be better off bulking and then cutting?

I can see how a male model or someone else who has to look good all the time would go for the build-lose at the same time thingy. Or somebody who pretty much has the look they are going for but would like to tweak it a little. But what about the average bear?

You gotta think that if you are going for the build-lose, that you will have to time your feedings around workouts, like pre and post, and at other times be very strict and stingy with the grub. Is this conducive to our goals?

Say you took two monozygotic twins, had one do the build-lose thingy (BLT) and had the other twin do the traditional bulk-cut thingy (BCT) and had them do that for 6 months.

Who would come out on top? Why?

 

[DrJMW]

It depends on baseline BF%. The closer the BB'er is to 10% BF, the better chance he has of gaining quality muscle with little, if any, fat gain, water retention, and gyno. I tell my 15%+ clients to lose the fat first. Remember, what causes the most testos conversion? Adipose tissue.

 

[TxLonghorn]

Interesting. So you are saying that if you get down to 10%, then you can do BLT with success?

What about hardgainers? Is the advice to 'bulk' until they hit about 12% then diet down to 9% or so and continue on? Or are you saying that they can BLT as long as they are in the 10% range?

 

[Rocket Man]

I think (I could be wrong) that the bulk and cut would work better but in the long run as far as health goes I will go with the other thingy!!! also I think the bulk and lose would have more muscle...I'm also talking about the heavy - weights

 

[StoneColdNTO]

I'd have to agree about the health aspect being better with the BLT approach.

btw TX........love your choice of acronyms......LOL !!

 

[bleachcola]

Is it something that is desirable for the average person? Or would the average person be better off bulking and then cutting?

BCT is the better method for putting on the most muscle, but why use it if you're not competing. I, like most of the people on this board, starting weight training to build an aesthetically pleasing body that would attract the opposite sex. I want to look good and get laid year round, not just during a cutting phase. Most of you guys are better off using the BLT route, you body will thank you.

 

[Batman]

BCT is the better method for putting on the most muscle, but why use it if you're not competing. I, like most of the people on this board, starting weight training to build an aesthetically pleasing body that would attract the opposite sex. I want to look good and get laid year round, not just during a cutting phase. Most of you guys are better off using the BLT route, you body will thank you.

Sometime somebody has to use BCT just to start putting on some mass. Then, later, they can go on with BLT style. But of course, in the beginning BCT works better.

 

[bob123]

OK so are you guys talking about BLT when "on" or just even if you train naturally cause ive been training naturally so far and ive been only doing bulk then cut thing.

If your talking about naturally or both then how would one do the BLT Ive only heard of BCT so far.

 

[jonnym]

I definitely wanna stay cut on my bulking phases and even lose fat but it sounds like most on here don't believe you should do that. I dunno

 

[BigRonWannabee]

In my experience doing a natural bulk/cut is a waste of time. If you've been training for a while you very well know gains dont come easy. And to then loose a good amount of muscle with that fat you've gained, well you may well be back where you started. IMO being successful natural means staying around the same BF and adding quality lbs. But hey, thats my experience feel free to disagree.

 

[bleachcola]

Sometime somebody has to use BCT just to start putting on some mass. Then, later, they can go on with BLT style. But of course, in the beginning BCT works better.

I'd have to disagree. A beginner could easily do a bulking phase. But a cutting phase requires alot of knowledge about training, diet, etc. And most beginners just aren't that knowledgeable. You'd be better off trying to put on quality muscle if you're an amateur.

 

[moresize2]

you can alway bulk to about 12%bf @ 12% you should still see your abs

 

[jonnym]

I was reading that to see your six pack you need to be at least between 7-10%, do you guys think that's true

 

[bleachcola]

you can alway bulk to about 12%bf @ 12% you should still see your abs

Good point. A person can use the BLT constantly with pseudo cutting phases thrown in. Just keep putting on lean mass until you get to around 12% and then just up the cardio and/or back off the calories until you drop back down to where you want to be. It's not really necessary to use dramatic bulking and cutting phases if you're not competing.

 

[bleachcola]

I was reading that to see your six pack you need to be at least between 7-10%, do you guys think that's true

Depends on the person. Fat patterns are different from person to person. You're not going to see a ripped six pack at 12%, but it's not going to be bad at all for most people.

 

[ROAD DOG]

In my experience doing a natural bulk/cut is a waste of time. If you've been training for a while you very well know gains dont come easy. And to then loose a good amount of muscle with that fat you've gained, well you may well be back where you started. IMO being successful natural means staying around the same BF and adding quality lbs. But hey, thats my experience feel free to disagree.

I agree.

 

[bob123]

Ok so how do you put on muscle and stay lean or even drop a few bf% at the same time natuarlly? Ive always been under the impression that to gain you need calorie surplus to lose you need calorie deficient.

If your saying its possible to gain muscle and lose fat how do you do this? would you say bulk for a week then cut for a week or what?

how many cals? would you stay around maintnence? what kind of cardio ....etc..?

 

[bleachcola]

Ive always been under the impression that to gain you need calorie surplus to lose you need calorie deficient.

It's not that simple. The human body is more complex than that.

If your saying its possible to gain muscle and lose fat how do you do this?

It's not that hard to put on a good amount of muscle with little fat. Use steroids, eat clean, and do cardio. You might gain a small amount of fat, but since you are putting on alot of muscle, you're bodyfat percentage stay's the same or drops (as in my case).

 

[BigRonWannabee]

It depends on baseline BF%. The closer the BB'er is to 10% BF, the better chance he has of gaining quality muscle with little, if any, fat gain, water retention, and gyno. I tell my 15%+ clients to lose the fat first. Remember, what causes the most testos conversion? Adipose tissue.

So if I came into my cycle at 7% BF, my chances of said sides would be greater than at 10%? Or am I simply reading into this too far?

 

[TxLonghorn]

So if I came into my cycle at 7% BF, my chances of said sides would be greater than at 10%? Or am I simply reading into this too far?

No, he's saying 10% or leaner...because the more fat, the more chance for estrogen problems like gyno.

This is an interesting read.

So, anybody have any tips on how to do the BLT, or is it simple as pie like bleachcola says?