Guys that are bulking....protein isn't important?

Will_Thrust_For_Candy
Will_Thrust_For_Candy Posts: 6,109 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hey all!

So I was hoping to pick a few brains on this because I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the concept and want to know if I'm missing something.

I was having a discussion with a guy I'm seeing last night regarding the program he's on and his diet. I had already checked out the website of the trainers (husband and wife team) that he hired and wasn't really sold as I felt that many of their philosophies are those of old school bodybuilders...not saying there is anything wrong with that....but not the type of thing I'm into. Anyway....

I asked him what his calorie goals are and he told me 3900 and I was like okay cool and started giving him ideas to get more protein and eat more while he's away working (lives in camp, can't make his own meals). So I'm talking protein protein protein and all of a sudden he says that his program doesn't pay attention to protein, only to total calories.

Wha?????

His program is supposed to be designed to build muscle....he's in a "bulk".....but no emphasis on protein?

Even for me, eating at a deficit and doing the StrongLifts program, I focus every meal and every snack on my protein as I believe that protein is critical for so many different reasons, particularly when lifting.

Is there a theory that I'm completely oblivious to?

I'm not looking to rip on these trainers, simply wondering if I'm missing something.

Thanks!

Replies

  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    Chances are good that at 3900 calories, he's getting in enough protein anyway that it doesn't have to be a big focus for him.
  • dr3w_s
    dr3w_s Posts: 88 Member
    I'm bulking and I'm eating around 2500cal a day, about 400cal above my maintenance and I'm aiming about at least 160g of protein every day. When he said that he doesn't emphasize on protein, I would think that he probably would have eaten more than enough protein within 3900 calories
  • babyblake11
    babyblake11 Posts: 1,107 Member
    it depends of what kind of bulk. if youre worrying about fat gain then you would definetly want to be focusing on protein.
  • ncahill77
    ncahill77 Posts: 501 Member
    3900 calories a day is a good way to bulk yourself into the 300's unless he is also doing some intense manual labor all day.
  • Shadowknight137
    Shadowknight137 Posts: 1,243 Member
    Wen it comes to bulking, calories ae far more important than protein. 1g per lb of lean body mass - maybe even less - should work just fine for muscle growth.

    Higher protein is ESSENTIAL, however, when trying to lose weight - or "cutting" - because low protein intake would mean a larger chance of muscle deterioration.

    Least that's my view on it.
  • haroon_awan
    haroon_awan Posts: 1,208 Member
    Chances are good that at 3900 calories, he's getting in enough protein anyway that it doesn't have to be a big focus for him.

    This.
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    3900 calories a day is a good way to bulk yourself into the 300's unless he is also doing some intense manual labor all day.

    That all depends. I've seen people taking in upward of 5000 calories per day during a bulk cycle. It depends a lot on the individual eating them.
  • trojanbb
    trojanbb Posts: 1,297 Member
    Protein is much less important on a bulk. Carbs are protein sparing. So you probably wont be using any protein for energy, only muscle building and a few functions which require amino acids. For muscle growth, there is a surprisingly small amount of protein required per pound of new muscle.
    3900 calories a day is a good way to bulk yourself into the 300's unless he is also doing some intense manual labor all day.

    I lose several pounds a week on under 4000 calories, much less bulk up. And the gym is my only exercise all week.
  • chimp517
    chimp517 Posts: 185 Member
    3900 calories a day is a good way to bulk yourself into the 300's unless he is also doing some intense manual labor all day.

    I disagree
  • Will_Thrust_For_Candy
    Will_Thrust_For_Candy Posts: 6,109 Member
    Thank you for the responses!

    There are a lot of points that I certainly wouldn't of thought of since the majority of my research so far has been regarding fat loss, not bulking, hence the reason I wanted to know if I was missing something!

    I appreciate the feedback....and more knowledge!
  • ncahill77
    ncahill77 Posts: 501 Member
    3900 calories a day is a good way to bulk yourself into the 300's unless he is also doing some intense manual labor all day.

    That all depends. I've seen people taking in upward of 5000 calories per day during a bulk cycle. It depends a lot on the individual eating them.

    True, i was just generally speaking for most of us that get to the gym 4 times a week for an hour. For some people it's fine but I would wager that for the majority it is too many calories.
  • AKDonF
    AKDonF Posts: 235 Member
    If the real question is " Is protein important?", then there have been several clinical studies within the past few years that pretty much prove that protein is critical. Leucine MUST be present for muscle protein synthesis. Layne Norton has a study that discusses aminos and MPS to some degree. The amount necessary is what is the real question. However, as everyone else said, I am pretty sure at 3900 cals that protein intake is sufficient and then some.

    - Don
  • funforsports
    funforsports Posts: 2,656 Member
    Like everyone has said, protein is important but I am sure he is getting adequate amounts by eating 3900 cals/day. The statement that it is not important is not valid at all though. 3900 cals/day is not a huge bulk, I am currently doing 4200 cals/day for my bulk and am still hitting plateaus.
  • Wardnow
    Wardnow Posts: 13
    I agree with this disagree lol, i'm 132lbs but i workout 2x a day lifting in the a.m. and boxing at night i need like 3500 to maintain otherwise I lose weight!

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