Get cut vs.bulking up (2024)

FAQs

Get cut vs.bulking up? ›

If you want to gain muscle and strength as quickly as possible and you're at or below 10% (men) or 20% (women) body fat, then you should bulk. And if you want to lose fat as quickly as possible and you're at or above 15% (men) or 25% (women) body fat, then you should cut.

If your main goal right now is to add more size, build muscle, gain strength, and set PR's in the gym, then a gaining phase is probably the best option as long as your current body fat % is around 10-15%. But if it's closer to 20% or above that, then start with a cut.

So, if you're looking to put on some muscle and gain strength, start with bulking. Then, cut to lose the extra fat, and repeat. Track and then track some more. Use a fitness tracker to keep tabs on your calorie intake, whether you're on a deficit or surplus.

Most experts think the appropriate body fat range for beginning a bulk or cut should be between 10-15% for men and 20-25% for women. This range is ideal as it provides enough energy to build muscle while allowing for visible definition. Once you hit the upper end of the range, start cutting.

Always cut if you are close to or above 18% or 28% body fat for men or women, respectively. If between 8-18% (men) or 17-28% (women), you can choose either, depending on how lean you want to be in 2-3 months' time. A good cut-off is 13% for men and 23% for women. Cut if higher than this, bulk if lower.

At this level , you can expect to see defined muscle definition and a lean appearance . For men , this may look like a visible six - pack and well - defined chest , shoulders , and arms . For women , 15 percent body fat may result in a toned midsection , defined arms and legs , and a slim waistline .

If you currently have a lot of fat to lose, cutting is better than bulking, because it will improve your physique and improve your health. Also, as fat loss can happen faster than muscle can be gained, cutting is easier to stay motivated for.

Generally it doesn't matter a whole lot the frequency you choose what's important is to keep going until you achieve the desired results. However, for most I recommend bulking for 2-3 months, then cut down for however long you need to get rid of the unwanted amount of fat. Everyone will need a different amount of time.

The recommended ranges for healthy men are between 10-20% body fat, and for women, the ranges are 18-28%. If your body fat exceeds these ranges, but you have a normal weight when you stand on the scale, you may be skinny fat.

There's no need to recomp if you don't have much body fat. So, men in the 14-18% body fat range, and women in the 22-26% body fat range, should be able to do a successful recomp.

Should a skinny guy bulk or cut? ›

You definitely want to bulk if you are skinny fat. This is for a few reasons: It's much easier to build and preserve muscle in a caloric surplus. If there are any hormonal issues (i.e. high cortisol from stress), cutting would only worsen them.

“Gaining muscle while losing fat, also known as body recomposition, is possible,” says Chavez. Resistance training and protein intake are key to successful body recomposition, according to both Chavez and lafelice. Eating a maintenance number of calories or at a slight calorie deficit is also key, says Chavez.

The body fat percentage needed to see your pack of abdominal muscles falls somewhere around 14 to 20% for women and 6 to 13% for men. However, the ideal body fat percentage for abs can look slightly different per person, depending on how you carry weight, where you typically store fat, and your fitness routine.

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. For individualized guidance, consult a registered dietitian.

You can go for bulk and start with a calorie-dense diet if you want to increase your strength and muscle mass and don't mind gaining some fat in the process. But if you want to look leaner and lose fat, start with a cut, a nutrient-rich diet, and a high-quality lean muscle gainer.

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.

That's the trick. A bulk without a cut is just gaining muscle, and a cut without a bulk is just losing weight. Put them together, however, and you have a unique cyclical formula designed to help you pack on muscle and stay lean.