How much will I benefit from a clean bulk?

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Replies

  • Joehenny
    Joehenny Posts: 1,222 Member
    In your case op you're probably better off with a more aggressive bulk, especially if you don't have any reason to stay particularly lean.
  • white_rushin
    white_rushin Posts: 43
    Checking in again.

    I've been continuing to eat consistently and even over the 2850 mark at times if I'm feeling extra hungry.

    I have a question though… Do you think 3 day splits like my ICF 5x5 program are enough work?

    It seems to me like eating in a surplus and only going to the gym 3 days a week is going to be a recipe for disaster in regards to my waistline :(

    Don't get me wrong, I plan on sticking to the program and pushing myself, but would it hurt to add 1-2 days of accessory work or isolation exercises for arms, shoulders, or abs? Maybe swimming for an hour on my off days?
  • white_rushin
    white_rushin Posts: 43
    Once again checking in with you all. I've found the perfect program for me which incorporates the amount of time I want to spend in the gym also with the intensity I'm looking for. It's more hypertrophy based and I hope to make great gains.

    I don't know if this is allowed, but I want to check in routinely maybe once every few weeks to a month and tell you how its working out for me.

    Here is a d-bag bro pic of me after my upper bod split day!

    2Fo10cUl.jpg

    I'm realizing I need to eat a lot just in order to recover since my program is so demanding! Mentally it's a great way to eat in a surplus knowing that it will be going straight to them muscles :)
  • raindawg
    raindawg Posts: 348 Member
    Looking good man. Keep it up. Keep posting updates also. It's inspiring to see others progress towards their goals. I'm starting the 4th week of my first bulk. At the end of this cycle I'd count it as success if I end up looking like you look right now.
  • Fujiberry
    Fujiberry Posts: 400 Member
    You're 6'2, you're a male, and you're a teen. 2,500 is not bulking calories for you. They're most likely cutting calories.
    I eat 2,500, I'm female, I'm 5'2".

    You're TALL, MALE, and YOUNG, with already some muscle. You should be eating at least 3,000 cals to gain anything.
  • Fujiberry
    Fujiberry Posts: 400 Member
    Your weight -will- shoot up at first, but the gain will be much, much slower afterwards.
  • white_rushin
    white_rushin Posts: 43
    Your weight -will- shoot up at first, but the gain will be much, much slower afterwards.

    Thanks, those posts were from a while ago when I said I was only going to eat at that number.

    I'm hitting almost 3000 calories a day now. :)
  • Fujiberry
    Fujiberry Posts: 400 Member
    Your weight -will- shoot up at first, but the gain will be much, much slower afterwards.

    Thanks, those posts were from a while ago when I said I was only going to eat at that number.

    I'm hitting almost 3000 calories a day now. :)

    That's great! Don't be afraid to gain some fat. The first few years is when you'll gain most of your muscle, so take advantage of it! Muscle gain really tapers off and slows to a crawl after a few years. Bulk until you can't stand bulking anymore, basically. Lol.

    I have a few male friends who are really into lifting. They're around your height, and they're soooo afraid to sacrifice their 'abs' for bigger muscles. They're eating 2,500-2,800 cals a day, lifting like crazy, but not gaining. It's easier to cut down that it is to build muscle, in my opinion. You always have to keep adding more and more calories the more you gain muscle. On the upside, that means ice cream, oreos, and giant burritos. :P
  • white_rushin
    white_rushin Posts: 43
    Your weight -will- shoot up at first, but the gain will be much, much slower afterwards.

    Thanks, those posts were from a while ago when I said I was only going to eat at that number.

    I'm hitting almost 3000 calories a day now. :)

    That's great! Don't be afraid to gain some fat. The first few years is when you'll gain most of your muscle, so take advantage of it! Muscle gain really tapers off and slows to a crawl after a few years. Bulk until you can't stand bulking anymore, basically. Lol.

    I have a few male friends who are really into lifting. They're around your height, and they're soooo afraid to sacrifice their 'abs' for bigger muscles. They're eating 2,500-2,800 cals a day, lifting like crazy, but not gaining. It's easier to cut down that it is to build muscle, in my opinion. You always have to keep adding more and more calories the more you gain muscle. On the upside, that means ice cream, oreos, and giant burritos. :P

    Honestly its a bit daunting at times, but the way I think of it is, I don't have some greek god physique right now and a little bit more fat on my belly isn't going to be that big of a deal compared to the strength and mass gains I'll hopefully be getting! Eating in a surplus also gives me motivation to bust my *kitten* in the gym to make sure not all of it turns to fat! LOL

    Yeah ice cream and delicious treats sounds especially awesome over summer :)
  • Fujiberry
    Fujiberry Posts: 400 Member
    Your weight -will- shoot up at first, but the gain will be much, much slower afterwards.

    Thanks, those posts were from a while ago when I said I was only going to eat at that number.

    I'm hitting almost 3000 calories a day now. :)

    That's great! Don't be afraid to gain some fat. The first few years is when you'll gain most of your muscle, so take advantage of it! Muscle gain really tapers off and slows to a crawl after a few years. Bulk until you can't stand bulking anymore, basically. Lol.

    I have a few male friends who are really into lifting. They're around your height, and they're soooo afraid to sacrifice their 'abs' for bigger muscles. They're eating 2,500-2,800 cals a day, lifting like crazy, but not gaining. It's easier to cut down that it is to build muscle, in my opinion. You always have to keep adding more and more calories the more you gain muscle. On the upside, that means ice cream, oreos, and giant burritos. :P

    Honestly its a bit daunting at times, but the way I think of it is, I don't have some greek god physique right now and a little bit more fat on my belly isn't going to be that big of a deal compared to the strength and mass gains I'll hopefully be getting! Eating in a surplus also gives me motivation to bust my *kitten* in the gym to make sure not all of it turns to fat! LOL

    Yeah ice cream and delicious treats sounds especially awesome over summer :)

    Great attitude. :) Just enjoy it! You'll get addicted once you see your strength shoot up with more food in you. I went from squatting 185 to 230 lbs. in less than a month by upping my food intake.

    The strongest and biggest guys at the gym I go to don't have cut abs. They're gigantic though. Saw a guy deadlifting with 5 plates on either side today. Also saw another guy squatting 450 a few weeks ago.
  • white_rushin
    white_rushin Posts: 43
    Just wanted to let you all know that I hit plates today for bench. I also dramatically increased my form so that may have a lot to do with it.

    I've been moving up linearly in almost all of my exercises whether it be the amount of reps per set or the amount of weight itself. I love being a beginner.

    The only compound lift I haven't been maximizing my progress on is my squats. I'm having serious form issues so tomorrow I'm meeting with a good friend of mine to help me fix my form before I continue to progress upwards. I know I could keep adding weights, but form to me is so much more important.

    Also eating like a pig in a very controlled way. Lovin' life.

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