When would you start your first bulk?

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  • Unknown
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  • LolBroScience
    LolBroScience Posts: 4,537 Member
    The op says he can see his abbs so not sure where you got 20% bodyfat from ?????

    Being able to "see" abs is not a guaranteed indicator of what his bf% is. Different people can "see" them at different ranges.
    We also don't know what "can see" really means. It might be a sligbt hint, maybe more, maybe its fat pockets. Who knows. We don't.
    The 20% figure comes from OP himself, but he's not even sure. More info is needed before saying to someone "bulk"

    ^ this this and more of this. He indicated 20%.
  • jollyjoe321
    jollyjoe321 Posts: 529 Member
    That's right, 20% is my best guess, haven't measured, used calipers or anything like that.

    Maybe 3 months ago, when I was about 9lbs heavier, I used some electronic scales that a friend owns which came up with about 23%, but they're notoriously inaccurate anyway or so I heard.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Hopefully this doesn't sidetrack the thread too much, but what exactly are we arguing over? Is there a "right" or "wrong" time to bulk? Is there a reason it's not just about appearance and personal preference?
  • brianmaclennan
    brianmaclennan Posts: 11
    Yes Joe, just focus on lifting heavy (add some more leg work :) )and eating enough to fuel your workouts. Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe is a great book and exercise program. I'll clarify why I recommended eating at maintenance, it's because most people and since you are 18, I won't expect you to be perfect, underestimate the number of calories they consume and over estimate what they burn through exercise. Having a goal of maintenance would keep your excess within reason. That was my rationale anyway. Good luck to you. :)

    I love Rippetoe's starting strength workout I feel like a beast when I can watch my weights go up and up almost every workout. Look him up on the internet you will find out alot of good information. I also recommend buying and reading Arnold Schwarzeneggers encyclopedia to modern bodybuilding...tons of information in there for the fitness enthusiast. I have read through mine so much the pages are falling out.
    There is no right time to start but you must give any program you decide to go with time to work.

    Good Luck!
  • LolBroScience
    LolBroScience Posts: 4,537 Member
    Hopefully this doesn't sidetrack the thread too much, but what exactly are we arguing over? Is there a "right" or "wrong" time to bulk? Is there a reason it's not just about appearance and personal preference?

    As a hard set rule... no. Body is more efficient at nutrient partitioning at a lower bodyfat then at 20% though. Why begin a bulk when you are 20% and bound to gain more fat. If you're comfortable walking around at 25% bodyfat then by all means...
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Hopefully this doesn't sidetrack the thread too much, but what exactly are we arguing over? Is there a "right" or "wrong" time to bulk? Is there a reason it's not just about appearance and personal preference?

    As a hard set rule... no. Body is more efficient at nutrient partitioning at a lower bodyfat then at 20% though. Why begin a bulk when you are 20% and bound to gain more fat. If you're comfortable walking around at 25% bodyfat then by all means...

    Gotcha... thanks.
  • TonyStark30
    TonyStark30 Posts: 497 Member
    Bulk when you start to look undersized, Cut when you look fat. That's it. Bulking while you're still carrying a bit of timber meants you'll look fat quite quickly, you can't even see when you should stop. Start it lean you can see the progress.
  • grantdumas7
    grantdumas7 Posts: 802 Member
    Bulk when you start to look undersized, Cut when you look fat. That's it. Bulking while you're still carrying a bit of timber meants you'll look fat quite quickly, you can't even see when you should stop. Start it lean you can see the progress.
    This is a good idea. It's generally recommended to bulk when you are 10-12% (males), the problem is does one really know his true bf?
  • StrictlyPro
    StrictlyPro Posts: 72
    it takes years of bulking/cutting to get to "bodybuilder" status.

    and drugs. If you want to look like a "natural" bodybuilder, then just a few drugs. If you want to look like an ifbb pro, then A LOT of drugs. Like $50,000\year in drugs.

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