How long should one bulk?

I'm looking to bulk again this winter, but to keep it as clean as possible to maximize lean muscle gain.
 
I've been lifting pretty consistently for about 2 years now, and will be continuing my strength training with 'The Texas Method' and then onto 'MAX-OT'. In the past my diet hasn't been spot on, so I've gained some unwanted fat through over-supplementing with protein instead of whole food.
 
My question is, considering I'm about 5"11, 180 lbs at 14% BF, what might be an acceptable period of time to bulk while on MAX-OT???
Should I just calculate my BMR and calorie intake, and then go for as long as I find acceptable?

How long have you run a bulking cycle?

NS,
   I have the same question.  Unfortunately for me, if I'm to compete next year I've got to cut this spring.  Of course spring may be cutting season for others as well to prep for the beach and the warm shirtless weather.  But if none of that nonsense existed, how long should you bulk?  Until the fat gets unbearable?  Until muscle gains stall?  Some combination?

Depends on how big you want to be. How much more weight do you want to put on? Do you want to be 220 or 240? Then if you gain the extra, fat shows up with it. How easy is it for you to loose fat? Your goal should be how much you want to pack on, at what % body fat. If it takes you 6 weeks or 6 months. Whats your goal?

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I'd say as long as your bodyfat is under 18% you can keep bulking.

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Yes I agree with Wetdawg. It depends on your goals and how your body reacts to your bulking methods.

Get the Best Obliques

you can bulk until you are satisfied with how much weight you gained or how big you are.

everything is subjective.

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JMBS


{snip} Until the fat gets unbearable {snip}

That's my philosophy.  Of course, since most of my bulking efforts are of the clean variety, fat is not an issue.  Ergo, I never stop bulking.

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veggeep

JMBS


{snip} Until the fat gets unbearable {snip}

That's my philosophy.  Of course, since most of my bulking efforts are of the clean variety, fat is not an issue.  Ergo, I never stop bulking.

Hey Veg!
 
 
Anyone willing to help me?:
 
I've got a decision to make soon regarding whether to continue my bulk or start a cut.  I'm at about 215 now from 197 in July.  I'm happy with the muscle and EVERYONE is noticing, but the bulk has not been fat free.  Waist has gone from 36 to 38 in that time.  My goal was 220 by Christmas which is achievable.  But I feel I may have only scratched the surface as far as growth goes.  My 5x5 is focusing on leg and back strength and I'm seeing gains there.  But I have done no sculpting with higher rep work. 
 
Practical problem is that the family is booked on a cruise in January and I hesitate to be at the summit of a blimped-out bulk while on vacation.  I think maybe I'll get to 220 by Dec. 1st on the 5x5, then switch to a cut (keto?), HIIT/LISS, and go for more of a hypertrophic sculpting routine (higher reps, more body part specific, maybe PPL or 4 or 5day split, know it's difficult to add muscle on a cut).  Still that's less than two months of cutting.  Don't think I would be shredded in that time but perhaps better defined and less of a spare tire/belly pooch issue.  Thoughts?  Thx!  :)
 
(I'll post the question in my journal as well but this looked like an appropriate thread.)
 
edit:  I KNOW I wouldn't be close to being "shredded" in two months' time!  I've got a considerable amount of fat I could get rid of and imagine the more controlled the cut is, the more muscle spared.  So I don't want to starve myself only to waste all that hard work.  I'm guessing 1 lb of weight loss a week would be the max.  Even though I feel my body is not done gaining, perhaps a good fat reset would be helpful anyway and then start a fresh bulk from a leaner bod.

J, take advantage of the cold months, my friend. Do not be fat phobic. I would go until I hit the 40" waist mark, if I were you. That might mean you weigh 250 at a 40" waist, but once you cut down to a 30" waist, you will be one jacked up 205-215 pounder.

I know January might suck feeling like a bloated whale, but hell, I went to Hawaii once as a "Christmas present" in the middle of a full on bulk, so just wing it. Besides, the more muscle you put on now, the more you can show off this summer which is when it really counts, in my opinion.

If you ever want motivation, check out Lee Priest in the off season. That bastard gets fat and big.

Also, before you start any cut, you are going to need to run maintenance calories for a couple of weeks, otherwise your body is just going to kick off the muscle you gained.

Perrynaytor


J, take advantage of the cold months, my friend. Do not be fat phobic. I would go until I hit the 40" waist mark, if I were you. That might mean you weigh 250 at a 40" waist, but once you cut down to a 30" waist, you will be one jacked up 205-215 pounder.

I know January might suck feeling like a bloated whale, but hell, I went to Hawaii once as a "Christmas present" in the middle of a full on bulk, so just wing it. Besides, the more muscle you put on now, the more you can show off this summer which is when it really counts, in my opinion.

If you ever want motivation, check out Lee Priest in the off season. That bastard gets fat and big.

Also, before you start any cut, you are going to need to run maintenance calories for a couple of weeks, otherwise your body is just going to kick off the muscle you gained.

P,
   Thanks a ton!  Yeah, I was thinking I probably want to put the brakes on the calories slowly or my body will go into a panic and start throwing muscle overboard.  250!!!  Oh my!  I'm still trying to come to grips with 220!  I was 175 for eons.  This is so new for me.  I may continue the bulk but if size/strength gains stall, or the fat becomes unbearable, I'll start a cut.  I've been good so far about not letting the fat get to me.  People are still saying I have a flat gut so I guess I'm not a blimp yet.  Or I'm just a pro at sucking the gut in, lol!  Man, you make me dream with a smile thinking about 205 to 215 and show shape!  Thanks for that image!  Thanks again!  :)

Using other people's opinions is the trick, hahaha. Whenever I get around an attractive female I utter "..ughzhz im soo fat" and then if she says "aww, no yer not. yer a  big muscley man" then I know to keep bulking until she says "hell yeah you are."

I have been stuck in the 185-190s for a good 6 months, so I'm ready to break 200 and stay up in there. I'm going to also try to compete soon like you. Probably by 21. I'm 19 now.

Perrynaytor


Using other people's opinions is the trick, hahaha. Whenever I get around an attractive female I utter "..ughzhz im soo fat" and then if she says "aww, no yer not. yer a  big muscley man" then I know to keep bulking until she says "hell yeah you are."

I have been stuck in the 185-190s for a good 6 months, so I'm ready to break 200 and stay up in there. I'm going to also try to compete soon like you. Probably by 21. I'm 19 now.

P,
   Do I recall you've done some cycles?  Did your suggestion that I bulk to 250 keeping waist to 40 take into account that I'm natural?  I'm going to get to a point natural where the muscles just won't grow anymore, right?  Thx!
 
Lol!  I'd be afraid to say "Ugh, I'm so fat!"  I'd worry people would stop ogling at the muscles and would focus on the spare tire and say "Gross!"  Will be nice someday to be able to flaunt those washboard abs.

The only thing I did that was actually legit was a Havoc/Tren cycle. I ran it about 6 weeks, and it got me strong, but that was about it. Looking back on it, I would have much rather just ran 8 weeks of test E and gotten much better, longer lasting results.

I mean, yeah, we all have our limits, but I always stay optimistic. Besides, I have already made up my mind I will use real gear later in life. I just want to see what I can do right now without anything. Could I get to 250? Sure. Would I be mostly fat? Yes. But, once I cut, I would look ridiculous, so it's all in perspective.

Perrynaytor


The only thing I did that was actually legit was a Havoc/Tren cycle. I ran it about 6 weeks, and it got me strong, but that was about it. Looking back on it, I would have much rather just ran 8 weeks of test E and gotten much better, longer lasting results.

I mean, yeah, we all have our limits, but I always stay optimistic. Besides, I have already made up my mind I will use real gear later in life. I just want to see what I can do right now without anything. Could I get to 250? Sure. Would I be mostly fat? Yes. But, once I cut, I would look ridiculous, so it's all in perspective.

Thanks P!  Good luck to you in your training!  :)

just get as big as you want then and then cut.. try to do some cardio during your bulk to keep insulin sensitivity high, your body will partition food more efficiently, and your heart will be stronger and able to support extra weight.

YOU GOTTA EAT BIG, TO BE BIG!!

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Winter Bulk goal:245-250 by dec 31
Current weight: 235

Creation


just get as big as you want then and then cut.. try to do some cardio during your bulk to keep insulin sensitivity high, your body will partition food more efficiently, and your heart will be stronger and able to support extra weight.

 
I didn't know this about cardio.  Can you elaborate on this?

"True genius, in many fields of human endeavor, is often revealed in elegant simplicity."

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Until you get to a size you are happy with and felt you have put on a decent amount of muscle.

I'd recomend bulking through the holiday season, then beginning a cut after that.  I started a cut in early october, then decided that was stupid going into what naturally tends to be the heaviest food consumption time of the year.  Will probably start a cut sometime between January 1 & mid-february.

1. Whether it is a clean bulk or not, I would suggest you go 12 - 16 weeks at a minimum.

2. At your age you can reasonable expect a couple pounds a month.

3. Again whether it is clean or not, you will need to eat a ton. You do have to eat more than you burn to give your body the material to add weight/muscle.

4. Go for 2g of protein per pound of body weight. You may want to work up to that if you have been eating less protein. It can stop you up, if you all of a sudden increase your protein.

5. In the future, I would suggest bulking starting in the fall, and cutting near the end of winter. Maintain through the summer. The reason here should be obvious.
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