Is my body fat too high to bulk?

Hi ladies!

I've been slowly increasing my calories lately, hoping to do a bulk, but today I put my measurements into a few body fat calculators & got 24%, which seems much too high to be bulking. Am I right? I honestly thought I was lower, just judging from the way that my ribs & spine stick out, but I'm not going to put my own opinion over multiple formulas.

Any suggestions? I've heard that it's best to start bulking at no higher than 21%, so I'm guessing that I need to cut instead. :\ My BMI is around 19-20, if that is any help in the consideration.

Replies

  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Why are you wanting to bulk?

    What's the goal you have?


    That's the bigger question I think.

    I'd say at 24 you're right on the edge- I know I"m a little meaty to be bulking- but I spent all summer cutting- so I don't mind the sacrifice- but I'm also chasing a very specific lifting thing- which requires a bigger engine- bigger engine = bulk. So away I go.

    And an on line calculator is REALLY rough for accurate BF%- I would take it with a grain of salt- and by grain I mean a heaping tablespoon.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Eh, I did a bulk at high-ish (25%) body fat.


    Of course I haven't successfully "cut" yet. It's only been 1.5 years....
  • TriLifter
    TriLifter Posts: 1,283 Member
    Why are you wanting to bulk?

    What's the goal you have?


    That's the bigger question I think.

    I'd say at 24 you're right on the edge- I know I"m a little meaty to be bulking- but I spent all summer cutting- so I don't mind the sacrifice- but I'm also chasing a very specific lifting thing- which requires a bigger engine- bigger engine = bulk. So away I go.

    And an on line calculator is REALLY rough for accurate BF%- I would take it with a grain of salt- and by grain I mean a heaping tablespoon.

    I agree--what's the purpose of the bulk?

    If you bulk now you'll have more/take longer to cut, but that's okay. Just make sure you're mentally prepared to do so.
  • 89nunu
    89nunu Posts: 1,082 Member
    Online calculators are pretty rubbish! Especially the kind that goes by measurements only! According to Callipers I am 19.6 (couple of weeks ago before I started to bulk) and fat 2 fit said I was 28.... sooooo... Don listen to the interwebz! as long as you feel ready to get a bit more than whatever you got now, go for it!!
  • jadebuilding
    jadebuilding Posts: 90 Member
    Why are you wanting to bulk?

    What's the goal you have?


    That's the bigger question I think.

    I'd say at 24 you're right on the edge- I know I"m a little meaty to be bulking- but I spent all summer cutting- so I don't mind the sacrifice- but I'm also chasing a very specific lifting thing- which requires a bigger engine- bigger engine = bulk. So away I go.

    And an on line calculator is REALLY rough for accurate BF%- I would take it with a grain of salt- and by grain I mean a heaping tablespoon.

    Well, my goal is to have a more athletic & healthy look. I do feel kind of skinny-fat, to be honest. I'm definitely small, but I have fat in really unattractive places, like my stomach (& not my boobs, which I also hoped might be helped by a bulk, lol).

    I'll have a more accurate idea of my body fat on the 20th, when I'm getting the measurement done with calipers, but in the meantime, I wanted to know whether to try & lose some weight/fat.

    TL/DR - look more toned, less scrawny. less belly, more boobs.
  • jadebuilding
    jadebuilding Posts: 90 Member
    Online calculators are pretty rubbish! Especially the kind that goes by measurements only! According to Callipers I am 19.6 (couple of weeks ago before I started to bulk) and fat 2 fit said I was 28.... sooooo... Don listen to the interwebz! as long as you feel ready to get a bit more than whatever you got now, go for it!!

    Oh no!! Fat 2 fit was what I used! :O Maybe I shouldn't panic...
  • TriLifter
    TriLifter Posts: 1,283 Member
    Online calculators are pretty rubbish! Especially the kind that goes by measurements only! According to Callipers I am 19.6 (couple of weeks ago before I started to bulk) and fat 2 fit said I was 28.... sooooo... Don listen to the interwebz! as long as you feel ready to get a bit more than whatever you got now, go for it!!

    Oh no!! Fat 2 fit was what I used! :O Maybe I shouldn't panic...

    I agree--I'm all over the place with calculators (and scales). At the same time I was between 13.8 (ridiculous) and 22%. I estimate that at that time I was closer to about 18.5.
  • 89nunu
    89nunu Posts: 1,082 Member

    Oh no!! Fat 2 fit was what I used! :O Maybe I shouldn't panic...

    Hahaha!! Yeah don't panic!! Fat 2 fit goes by ratio of the different measurements (or something like that, I'm not an expert). I'm a classic pear and it just doesn't get that wide hips don't mean that I'm fat :D
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    I think the Navy one is generally accepted as the best for measurements only (but again, nothing is great).

    http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/body-fat-calculator-navy
  • jadebuilding
    jadebuilding Posts: 90 Member
    I think the Navy one is generally accepted as the best for measurements only (but again, nothing is great).

    http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/body-fat-calculator-navy

    EEP, I just used that one & got 9%, which is definitely not correct. I'm guessing I'll just have to wait on the calipers.
  • TriLifter
    TriLifter Posts: 1,283 Member
    I think the Navy one is generally accepted as the best for measurements only (but again, nothing is great).

    http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/body-fat-calculator-navy

    EEP, I just used that one & got 9%, which is definitely not correct. I'm guessing I'll just have to wait on the calipers.

    Holy crap, it gave me 28.86 % and I know that's no where near accurate!!!!
  • sarahstrezo
    sarahstrezo Posts: 568 Member
    I like this one for an online calculator:
    http://www.skinbodyfitness.com/bmr_bmi_bfp.htm
  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    i started my bulk around 28% bf, i was stuck in weight loss plateau for 6 months , so i'm using this bulk to shake things up, and i want to power lift, so i'm not as concerned with the low bf that the figure girls want. I just wanna be strong.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    I love those things.

    Complete rubbish
    According to your measurements of a 30.5 inches waist and height of 5' 8" your body fat percentage is estimated to be 32.41 %.

    mmhmm sure. okay
  • jadebuilding
    jadebuilding Posts: 90 Member
    I like this one for an online calculator:
    http://www.skinbodyfitness.com/bmr_bmi_bfp.htm

    Well, this one just put me at 17%, so I'm inclined to like it too. :3
    Question, though - is the waist measurement for this one supposed to be at the narrowest part (natural waistline) or at the navel? I used both measurements, got 19% for navel, 17% for natural.
  • sarahstrezo
    sarahstrezo Posts: 568 Member
    I like this one for an online calculator:
    http://www.skinbodyfitness.com/bmr_bmi_bfp.htm

    Well, this one just put me at 17%, so I'm inclined to like it too. :3
    Question, though - is the waist measurement for this one supposed to be at the narrowest part (natural waistline) or at the navel? I used both measurements, got 19% for navel, 17% for natural.

    I think natural waist. Only because most other calculators specify natural waist for women.
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    Putting aside all the ridiculous, unneccessary calculators etc, the question remains what are you currently doing? Your profile states you do Pilates and hand weights. What plan do you have in place to start? Are you going to transition into an actual lifting plan or are you doing one now? Personally I think body recomp would suit you best until knowing if you have an actual lifting plan with minimal cardio before suggesting you to even step into a bulk.
  • jadebuilding
    jadebuilding Posts: 90 Member
    Putting aside all the ridiculous, unneccessary calculators etc, the question remains what are you currently doing? Your profile states you do Pilates and hand weights. What plan do you have in place to start? Are you going to transition into an actual lifting plan or are you doing one now? Personally I think body recomp would suit you best until knowing if you have an actual lifting plan with minimal cardio before suggesting you to even step into a bulk.

    I'm going to start one when I get my body fat level tested at the gym by a trainer, if I find out for sure that it's low enough to justify it. I've looked at a couple plans, but haven't started anything. I don't currently do cardio, but if my body fat is higher than 21%, I'll probably start HIIT or something.
  • sarahstrezo
    sarahstrezo Posts: 568 Member
    Yeah...you aren't going to put on any muscle mass with a bulk unless you are consistently (and pretty much only) doing a heavy lifting program with progressive resistance.
  • jadebuilding
    jadebuilding Posts: 90 Member
    Yeah...you aren't going to put on any muscle mass with a bulk unless you are consistently (and pretty much only) doing a heavy lifting program with progressive resistance.

    Yup, that is the plan. :)
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    There's no reason to delay starting a lifting program based on your BF. Even if you don't intend to bulk at the moment, you can make significant changes and maintain your current LBM by lifting NOW.
  • TriLifter
    TriLifter Posts: 1,283 Member
    There's no reason to delay starting a lifting program based on your BF. Even if you don't intend to bulk at the moment, you can make significant changes and maintain your current LBM by lifting NOW.

    Best advice ever. I suggest picking up NROL4W or Starting Strength. You can start with bodyweight and progress...but the key is the progression. Your muscles, bones, everything will thank you.
  • pandorakick
    pandorakick Posts: 901 Member
    There's no reason to delay starting a lifting program based on your BF. Even if you don't intend to bulk at the moment, you can make significant changes and maintain your current LBM by lifting NOW.
    True. Besides the programs already mentioned you can also take a look at All Pro's Simple Beginners Routine. It is written for barbells, but many - including yours truly - have succesfully done it using dumbbells. There is a group for it here on MFP.