Recomposition vs Bulk and Cut
swinginchandra
Posts: 418 Member
Hi everyone! Nice to meet y'all. I appreciate any recommendations you all can throw at me based on the below:
I posted a similar question in the main forum but Im not getting many responses! I thought you all might have some better experiences or recommendations!
I'm a track cyclist, but our off season training is basically power-lifting, so Im asking in reference to that. I'm currently 160 lbs, 20% BF, and I squat 1.5x BW. My goal this off season (approx Oct. to March) is to reach a 2x BW squat. For my height, I *weigh* approximately what I should.
I'm wondering what's most effective -- to eat at basically 'maintenance' long term, so eventually as I gain strength I'll hit the BF percentage I should have. This has the advantage psychologically that I don't have to get so chubby! Also it's definitely better than trying to lose weight now to get to the fat level I want. (I tried doing that hole training last year and it didnt work so well).
As I see it, the other is to do a bulk and cut (but I'm afraid I won't be able to cut, I don't trust myself...)
I generally lift 2-3 days a week, and ride hard (aerobic) 2 days a week, an then do another 4 easy recovery type of rides (think going for a walk). I know it's alot of aerobic work for someone trying to make strength gains, but it's necessary to translate the strength gains to the bike.
Any experiences with recomposition vs. bulking? Can I achieve my strength goals just maintenance eating? (Which by the way is still like 3k).
The other option I guess is a lean gains type of recomposition, +20% on strength days, -20% on some of the ride days. Anyone have any experiences with lean gains vs straight maintenance?
I posted a similar question in the main forum but Im not getting many responses! I thought you all might have some better experiences or recommendations!
I'm a track cyclist, but our off season training is basically power-lifting, so Im asking in reference to that. I'm currently 160 lbs, 20% BF, and I squat 1.5x BW. My goal this off season (approx Oct. to March) is to reach a 2x BW squat. For my height, I *weigh* approximately what I should.
I'm wondering what's most effective -- to eat at basically 'maintenance' long term, so eventually as I gain strength I'll hit the BF percentage I should have. This has the advantage psychologically that I don't have to get so chubby! Also it's definitely better than trying to lose weight now to get to the fat level I want. (I tried doing that hole training last year and it didnt work so well).
As I see it, the other is to do a bulk and cut (but I'm afraid I won't be able to cut, I don't trust myself...)
I generally lift 2-3 days a week, and ride hard (aerobic) 2 days a week, an then do another 4 easy recovery type of rides (think going for a walk). I know it's alot of aerobic work for someone trying to make strength gains, but it's necessary to translate the strength gains to the bike.
Any experiences with recomposition vs. bulking? Can I achieve my strength goals just maintenance eating? (Which by the way is still like 3k).
The other option I guess is a lean gains type of recomposition, +20% on strength days, -20% on some of the ride days. Anyone have any experiences with lean gains vs straight maintenance?
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