How long is your bulk?

karinefitness

Just wondering... I started mine in January and although I'd love to cut for summer it isn't happening, since I want to bulk for a solid 7-8 months before cutting (hoping I made gains). I might actually start cutting or maintaining once I get back from Europe in Oct-Nov. for a December vacation... and then start a mini bulk when I come back and until summer 2015, lol. Or I might just bulk non-stop until march 2015. Is that too much?! Although I have to say I'm not sure how I'll react once I get at 130 pounds, it's a mental thing for me... We'll see, I'm not there yet.


Just wondering how long does a bulk usually last. It's my first one. And my pants are getting smaller and smaller (!!) already

JoRocka

They can be anywhere from 6 weeks to like 9 months (or higher I suppose) but the longer you bulk the longer you will be cutting.

Waldo has said he is preferring shorter bulks- because it makes the impact better.

I personally wouldn't go for more than 6 months- and I was on the verge of cutting mine short to 4 months- and now I'm back to 5-6. I will absolutely go no longer. I'm already busting out of my clothes and MISERABLE with the weight I've put on thus far.

The shorter the bulk- the dirty game you play- the longer the bulk- the more metered and meticulous it will be. I actually found I did really well playing 'fast and loose' with the calories and saw some great stuff happening vs being SPOT on all the time.

But I can tell- it's catching up- I'm about 7-10 lbs from where I started and I feel like I'm pregnant because I've wound up with weird places of extra fat. it's weird- not making me feel fabulous- but my arms and quads and butt look amazing so I can only complain but so much

pandorakick

I started mine with an initial goal of 4 months, but adjusted that to 6 months. However after 5 months I just felt too fat and called it quits. In that period of 21 weeks I gained a total of 6 kg. I did see some wonderful strength gains, will see whether I also gained muscle mass.

jdaley90

I personally bulked for about 5 months... I don't think I could have handled it any longer! None of my clothes fit me anymore and I was miserable. That said... I've been trying to cut for a month now and have been basically spinning my wheels. So, I'd keep in mind the weight loss bit after, it's HARD! Harder than I expected! Pre bulk it was pretty easy for me to lose weight and idk why but I feel like I'm struggling now.

HMVOL7409

Being that this is my 4th, I personally won't and never have gone longer than 4 mths. That's about all I can handle! There's no right or wrong here, one must be realistic though in the mental game and that the longer the bulk, the longer the cut. I know who Jo is referring to and while that is what is working for him and his goals, 8 wk bulks and 2 wk cuts would not work for me. Personally I've seen better results, both male and female, that have done longer bulks; no disrespect intended.

TriLifter

20 weeks. Original plan was 16 weeks, but kept going because I didn't really start making measurable gains until the end.

JoRocka

Being that this is my 4th, I personally won't and never have gone longer than 4 mths. That's about all I can handle! There's no right or wrong here, one must be realistic though in the mental game and that the longer the bulk, the longer the cut. I know who Jo is referring to and while that is what is working for him and his goals, 8 wk bulks and 2 wk cuts would not work for me. Personally I've seen better results, both male and female, that have done longer bulks; no disrespect intended.

no disrespect here- just sharing other tid bits- I just know that works for him. I can see the advantage- but I can see disadvantages too.
I think he's in the neighbor hood of 4 bulks too- so whatever it is- it's working for him -he definitely gets results.

I think the nice thing about the longer bulks- is because it's more metered. It takes me about 3-4 weeks to iron out a new eating plan- I don't just go - Oh today is maintenance and I nail it- I seem to go up and down drastically for about two weeks- and then the 3rd or 4th week it becomes more regulated.
So having that extra time is helpful.

I know for me - 4-5 is feeling/looking like a good time frame- I'm still going to push for 6 because of the new program- and I want it- but I'm honestly not happy about it. I feel awful about my self at work- I'm constantly fussing with my clothing and am (for me) unusually self conscious about things where things are on my body and what they are doing.

sarahstrezo

I'm done this week and I've technically been bulking for 21 weeks. But…it did take me almost 4 weeks to find my true surplus amount as I didn't steadily gain until that point.
I'm ready to cut. I can see and feel the extra fat and I'm not liking it anymore. But I loved bulking and will definitely be doing another next fall/winter.

karinefitness

But I can tell- it's catching up- I'm about 7-10 lbs from where I started and I feel like I'm pregnant because I've wound up with weird places of extra fat. it's weird- not making me feel fabulous- but my arms and quads and butt look amazing so I can only complain but so much

Yeah, same here. I like my legs and my glutes... my arms and shoulders as well, but my stomach... I don't like it very much.
I might bulk for anywhere between 4 and 6 months, then cut to see the results, and then just bulk again. It's a learning process I guess. I have no clue how much muscle will be left once I cut. Maybe it won't be enough.

That would put me in a cut in may/june... We'll see I'm already up 4-5 pounds but I'm sure most of it is water weight, no muscle

__freckles__

I'm done this week and I've technically been bulking for 21 weeks. But…it did take me almost 4 weeks to find my true surplus amount as I didn't steadily gain until that point.
I'm ready to cut. I can see and feel the extra fat and I'm not liking it anymore. But I loved bulking and will definitely be doing another next fall/winter.

This is my first time bulking and it also took me a while to find my true surplus. So I'm only counting it from the time I actually started gaining weight. It's only been 3.5 weeks since then and I plan to go a minimum of 12. If I can stand to do it longer I will, but 12 weeks is my bare minimum.