Fat cell hyperplasia - risks, gaining weight on purpose?

Hi all,

I'm currently aiming to pick up some weight, about 7kg's (15 lbs) or so, I started at 62.9kg's (138 lbs) and now I'm at 64.6kg's (142.5lbs) about 2 weeks later while doing Insanity on a calorie surplus. Aiming to reach 70kg's (154 lbs).

Research on this seems to be quite scattered. Is there anyone here that is knowledgeable about this and can help me understand how to avoid this rather disturbing claim that some researchers are making?

I'm taking in around 2800-3200 calories a day and netting probably no less than around 2500 cals after workouts.

thanks in advance for any help.

I really think this is a non issue.

If you're gaining weight for a bulk, you're going to be relatively lean before trying to gain mass. In this condition I wouldn't worry about fat cell hyperplasia because your existing fat cells are not full or anywhere near it, because you're relatively lean.

If you're gaining weight for a bulk and you're already fat, you're doing it wrong.

Does this make sense and address your concern?

Hi all,

I'm currently aiming to pick up some weight, about 7kg's (15 lbs) or so, I started at 62.9kg's (138 lbs) and now I'm at 64.6kg's (142.5lbs) about 2 weeks later while doing Insanity on a calorie surplus. Aiming to reach 70kg's (154 lbs).

Research on this seems to be quite scattered. Is there anyone here that is knowledgeable about this and can help me understand how to avoid this rather disturbing claim that some researchers are making?

I'm taking in around 2800-3200 calories a day and netting probably no less than around 2500 cals after workouts.

thanks in advance for any help.

I really think this is a non issue.

If you're gaining weight for a bulk, you're going to be relatively lean before trying to gain mass. In this condition I wouldn't worry about fat cell hyperplasia because your existing fat cells are not full or anywhere near it, because you're relatively lean.

If you're gaining weight for a bulk and you're already fat, you're doing it wrong.

Does this make sense and address your concern?

Thanks this helps to put my mind at ease. I suspected it shouldn't be an issue for me, I'm probably somewhere in-between an ectomorph / mesomorph build. I've always been skinny, but now that I've decided to pick up weight it actually hasn't been that difficult (so far). Just don't want any mental blocks like hyperplasia sitting around my mind.

Look at the general population of amateur bodybuilders as an example. They REPEATEDLY bulk and cut. Many, many cycles of this, and I'm specifically just talking about non professional, non steroid using bodybuilders. The vast majority of them look pretty darn good and are not fat.

I don't mean to just use this as proof, but it should be an indicator that it's probably not an issue.


Lastly, I should make it clear that I'm assuming that the concern/logic in the original question was something along this order:

Gain weight ---> Fat cell hyperplasia ---> Can't get lean because too many fat cells. Oh no I'm screwed!.


If there's some medical or other reason, let me know -- although I still wouldn't think it's an issue since you shouldn't be bulking to the point of fat-assery.

The only thing I'd say is that you can pick a much better way to bulk then Insanity.

This is something that might start becoming less of an issue in the next 5-10 years. Adipotide went to stage 1 trials and it cuts off blood to white fat cells, killing them and the body disposes of it. Diet and fitness level didn't matter. It just targets fat and kills it.

I am positive bodybuilders will flock to abuse this(they are already trying with peptide sites trying to get this going).

The only thing I'd say is that you can pick a much better way to bulk then Insanity.

5000 calories of clean food and big compound movements comes to mind.

Agreed. I can't really see how you can gain weight at 2500 per day. I don't know your stats but that is probably at or slightly below maintenance. I don't know that you need to go all the way to 5000 but you'll need a surplus and I doubt 2500 is giving you that.

Actually, op is only 140lb and actual food intake is around 2800-3200. I don't think additional cals are desirable based on information in his post.

Ahh, musta missed the 140 LBS part.