Some opinions much appreciated..

ToxicOnes

First off, let me say my goal.... Muscle gain. Not necessarily bulking or cutting. Just progressive gains. It grows as it grows.

I work a night shift job. This is usually 4 times a week, and I might walk 3500-4000 steps a shift. I'd guess this is 1 1/2-2 miles. I also do a moderate jog 5 times a week, 30 minutes a time. This is about 2 1/2-3 miles a session. I do a moderate lifting program every other day. This means 4 days some week and 3 days another week. Usually takes a couple hours. I do 5 sets of 12 reps with a full body work out using a smith machine, bar bells, and dumb bells.

I am about 5'9, and around 10.5-11% body fat. Not entirely sure. This is where my body fat monitor usually reads between. I weigh about 173ish pounds. Maybe 175.

I take in 3000 calories a day. Is this enough?

TavistockToad

First off, let me say my goal.... Muscle gain. Not necessarily bulking or cutting. Just progressive gains. It grows as it grows.

I work a night shift job. This is usually 4 times a week, and I might walk 3500-4000 steps a shift. I'd guess this is 1 1/2-2 miles. I also do a moderate jog 5 times a week, 30 minutes a time. This is about 2 1/2-3 miles a session. I do a moderate lifting program every other day. This means 4 days some week and 3 days another week. Usually takes a couple hours. I do 5 sets of 12 reps with a full body work out using a smith machine, bar bells, and dumb bells.

I am about 5'9, and around 10.5-11% body fat. Not entirely sure. This is where my body fat monitor usually reads between. I weigh about 173ish pounds. Maybe 175.

I take in 3000 calories a day. Is this enough?

I am not sure what 'muscle gain. Not necessarily bulking' means? A bulk is, by definition, gaining muscle.

Also, seems like a lot of cardio when you're trying to gain muscle? More cardio just means you have to eat more.

I don't know if 3000 cals is enough... Try it for a month, if you aren't gaining around 1lb per week then add 200 cals, try that for a month, then add more if necessary.

ToxicOnes

Well, I want bulk... But not to be some big bulky kind of person. I want more lean muscle. That should clarify it.

TavistockToad

Well, I want bulk... But not to be some big bulky kind of person. I want more lean muscle. That should clarify it.

Don't worry, you want become some big bulky person by accident!

RHachicho

If you are new to lifting just do it. After a few months you will have put on some moderate lean mass even at a small deficit. Try to get your diet so you lose no more than .25 - .5 of a lb a week. Then slowly start raising the calories until you reach a point where you stall That's where you want to be. You will see moderate muscle gains at that level. If you want any serious gainage though a surplus is required.

RHachicho

Well, I want bulk... But not to be some big bulky kind of person. I want more lean muscle. That should clarify it.

Don't worry, you want become some big bulky person by accident!

Oh and this is true. Getting a bodybuilder physique takes effort dedication and knowledge. And dietary discipline as strict as any cutting diet. As a casual lifter you absolutely will not Schwarzeneggerify. You will build some muscle but it will be within reason.

mustgetmuscles1

Its hard to say if you are eating enough or not. If you are maintaining, losing or gaining weight will be the answer to whether you are eating the right amount.

As for bulk/not bulk thing. You will soon realize how hard it is to actually gain muscle. People that want to put on a lot of mass go in and kill it 4-5 days per week and see very small gains over months.

5'9" 175 at 10% body fat you would probably look like a body builder.

I am 5'10" 170lbs at about 15-18% body fat.

Sarauk2sf

Well, I want bulk... But not to be some big bulky kind of person. I want more lean muscle. That should clarify it.

Muscle is muscle. It is lean by definition. It's the fat you want to avoid - which means not gaining too much/too quickly.

How long have you been lifting for and what does your routine look like.

SweatLikeDog

Quickest way to gain muscle: lift heavy weights and eat 1000 calories above maintenance. Google TDEE + McCardle Hatch to see how to estimate your maintenance calories, but don't obsess over minutia. Barbell exercises are the heaviest. Starting Strength or Wendler 5/3/1 are programs you might want to check out. If you don't like barbells, try dumbbells or bodyweight training, but these won't build size as fast.

Chieflrg

Ir you are gaining 1/2lb on average per week and doing a progressive lifting routine, yes 3000 cals is enough. If you aren't gaining weight, you are not eating enough for your life style.

ToxicOnes

Thanks for the input every one, helped a lot.

NRBreit

5'9" 175 at 10% body fat you would probably look like a body builder.

^^This. At 5'9" 175 and 10% BF fat, you're already carrying a ton of muscle. If it turns out you're a bit higher on BF%, a small cut could really help those muscles pop.

shmoony

I am 5'9" 163 lbs at 10-11% bf. up from 150 a year ago. Chances are, you are underestimating your bf%. At 173-175 lbs, you could probably cut down for a bit. People typically carry more fat than they think they do. You'll be amazed how light you can get when you really cut. My goal is to get to 173-175 at 10-11% bf, but this is going to take me probably another couple years, a lot of heavy weights, and a consistent dedication to a controlled caloric surplus. But to answer your question, it's impossible for us to accurately determine your caloric needs. I gain very slowly at 3000 / day, but I have a high level of NEAT because of my lifestyle / occupation. You need to figure out your own maintenance through controlled experimentation.

ToxicOnes

I get the percentage from my body fat monitor, but it could be wrong I am sure. It is no doctor, after all.

Graelwyn75

I get the percentage from my body fat monitor, but it could be wrong I am sure. It is no doctor, after all.

If you are serious, then I suggest getting your bodyfat tested using a more accurate measure, such as a DEXA scan, bodpod or hydrostatic.

caesar164

mustgetmuscles1 wrote: »

Its hard to say if you are eating enough or not. If you are maintaining, losing or gaining weight will be the answer to whether you are eating the right amount.

As for bulk/not bulk thing. You will soon realize how hard it is to actually gain muscle. People that want to put on a lot of mass go in and kill it 4-5 days per week and see very small gains over months.

5'9" 175 at 10% body fat you would probably look like a body builder.

I am 5'10" 170lbs at about 15-18% body fat.

At 10% body fat you would have a clear 6 pack with chiseled obliques and serratus, do you have this?