15.8% Body fat need advice
itsflaccoi
Posts: 69 Member
Ok so I weigh 159 pounds which ik is not alot for a 5'10 male that is cutting But anyways my current body fat percentage is 15.8% so i was wondering what would be a good body fat percentage estimate forme to start my bulk want to be pretty lean when i start so i dont get fat during my 8 month bulk of a goal of 15 pounds of muscle
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Replies
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You and I have similar stats with the exception of age. I cut down to around 158-159lb and was between 14-16% BF based on the tool I was using. I have since bulked up to 170lbs and have been maintaining at 170lbs since September 1st.
You're not going to gain 15lbs of muscle in 8 months. As you continue to add fat from bulking the proration of fat/muscle will slowly start to change.
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I asked that from a Life Time Fitness center instructor - her answer was between 8 - 12 %0
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Yes, most of what I've read suggests ending a cut and starting a bulk at around 10%, or a bit higher, maybe 12%. You then continue the bulk up to around 15% to 17%, then start cutting again. During your bulk, IF you do everything right (eat at a moderate surplus, get plenty of rest and lift heavy), you can expect to gain about a pound of fat for every pound of muscle. Muscle gains should peak at about 2 pounds per month.I asked that from a Life Time Fitness center instructor - her answer was between 8 - 12 %
The reasoning behind the lower bodyfat (10%-ish) before beginning a bulk is that your insulin sensitivity is higher the leaner you are, and insulin is a main driver of protein synthesis & building muscle.
I'm older than you guys at 61. I've been eating at a deficit (sometimes unenthusiastically and sloppily) for about two years now. I'm 5'9' and just got down to 140 lbs. I had hoped to be around 10% bodyfat before I got to this weight, but it didn't work. I'm about 12.5%. I don't want to get any thinner than I already am, so I'm reverse dieting (slowly reducing my deficit) and will begin a bulk in another couple weeks. I'll adjust my plan if I put fat back on at a higher than 1:1 ratio, but right now I'm planning on adding another 20 or 30 pounds before starting my next cut.0 -
Yes, most of what I've read suggests ending a cut and starting a bulk at around 10%, or a bit higher, maybe 12%. You then continue the bulk up to around 15% to 17%, then start cutting again...I asked that from a Life Time Fitness center instructor - her answer was between 8 - 12 %
That's the most common advice I've seen as well. Here's a great article from Lyle McDonald about bulking (and lots of associated sciency stuff): Initial Fat and Body Composition Changes0 -
I think I've listened to Lyle McDonald on a Mike Mathews podcast.0
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If your goal is to gain muscle, there's really no need to cut at all first. Just start lifting and eating now.
You might be able to gain 2 pounds per month of muscle if you're an absolute beginner. Otherwise, plan on gaining about 1 pound per month of muscle.
And if you put on more than 4 pounds in a month, you're just putting on more fat than you need, and should cut back a little on the calories. Lots of guys use bulking as an excuse to get fat, but there's really no need to.0 -
I'd say bulk now. It's winter. You don't have much muscle. No real reason to cut down to 10% yet. You'll look too thin anyway.0
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You and I have similar stats with the exception of age. I cut down to around 158-159lb and was between 14-16% BF based on the tool I was using. I have since bulked up to 170lbs and have been maintaining at 170lbs since September 1st.
You're not going to gain 15lbs of muscle in 8 months. As you continue to add fat from bulking the proration of fat/muscle will slowly start to change.You and I have similar stats with the exception of age. I cut down to around 158-159lb and was between 14-16% BF based on the tool I was using. I have since bulked up to 170lbs and have been maintaining at 170lbs since September 1st.
You're not going to gain 15lbs of muscle in 8 months. As you continue to add fat from bulking the proration of fat/muscle will slowly start to change.
Im not bulking yet i have a pretty good percentage of fat and plan to cut for 1 1/2 months0 -
juggernaut1974 wrote: »
14-15 isnt lean i want to be lean and be as a finishing goal not fat and muscler from bulking at 15% and end up being 20% after my bulk0 -
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itsflaccoi wrote: »
I mean i never want to go over 15% after i drop below it0 -
Goodluck at the age 61 still trying to get in shape your in inspiration
Yes, most of what I've read suggests ending a cut and starting a bulk at around 10%, or a bit higher, maybe 12%. You then continue the bulk up to around 15% to 17%, then start cutting again. During your bulk, IF you do everything right (eat at a moderate surplus, get plenty of rest and lift heavy), you can expect to gain about a pound of fat for every pound of muscle. Muscle gains should peak at about 2 pounds per month.I asked that from a Life Time Fitness center instructor - her answer was between 8 - 12 %
The reasoning behind the lower bodyfat (10%-ish) before beginning a bulk is that your insulin sensitivity is higher the leaner you are, and insulin is a main driver of protein synthesis & building muscle.
I'm older than you guys at 61. I've been eating at a deficit (sometimes unenthusiastically and sloppily) for about two years now. I'm 5'9' and just got down to 140 lbs. I had hoped to be around 10% bodyfat before I got to this weight, but it didn't work. I'm about 12.5%. I don't want to get any thinner than I already am, so I'm reverse dieting (slowly reducing my deficit) and will begin a bulk in another couple weeks. I'll adjust my plan if I put fat back on at a higher than 1:1 ratio, but right now I'm planning on adding another 20 or 30 pounds before starting my next cut.
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I said i want to be lean and want to no at what lean % i should start at almost 16% starting a bulk would not be very lean likexmichaelyx wrote: »If your goal is to gain muscle, there's really no need to cut at all first. Just start lifting and eating now.
You might be able to gain 2 pounds per month of muscle if you're an absolute beginner. Otherwise, plan on gaining about 1 pound per month of muscle.
And if you put on more than 4 pounds in a month, you're just putting on more fat than you need, and should cut back a little on the calories. Lots of guys use bulking as an excuse to get fat, but there's really no need to.
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itsflaccoi wrote: »I said i want to be lean and want to no at what lean % i should start at almost 16% starting a bulk would not be very lean like
Read the article I linked to above.0 -
what aery ou using to measure body fat % OP ?0
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I would suggest getting to 14%….0
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itsflaccoi wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »
14-15 isnt lean i want to be lean and be as a finishing goal not fat and muscler from bulking at 15% and end up being 20% after my bulk
Which is why you cut after a bulk - you don't bulk in isolation - you run cycles between bulks & cuts.0 -
juggernaut1974 wrote: »itsflaccoi wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »
14-15 isnt lean i want to be lean and be as a finishing goal not fat and muscler from bulking at 15% and end up being 20% after my bulk
Which is why you cut after a bulk - you don't bulk in isolation - you run cycles between bulks & cuts.
See your one of those people who arent lean year round when you can be and still reach the same maybe even better goals no reason for me to get fat0 -
itsflaccoi wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »itsflaccoi wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »
14-15 isnt lean i want to be lean and be as a finishing goal not fat and muscler from bulking at 15% and end up being 20% after my bulk
Which is why you cut after a bulk - you don't bulk in isolation - you run cycles between bulks & cuts.
See your one of those people who arent lean year round when you can be and still reach the same maybe even better goals no reason for me to get fat
Good luck! Let us know how you fare.0 -
MagnumBurrito wrote: »I'd say bulk now. It's winter. You don't have much muscle. No real reason to cut down to 10% yet. You'll look too thin anyway.
Agreed. I decided years ago to just eat whatever the hell I want starting around Halloween until January 1st. Makes things a bit easier.
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itsflaccoi wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »itsflaccoi wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »
14-15 isnt lean i want to be lean and be as a finishing goal not fat and muscler from bulking at 15% and end up being 20% after my bulk
Which is why you cut after a bulk - you don't bulk in isolation - you run cycles between bulks & cuts.
See your one of those people who arent lean year round when you can be and still reach the same maybe even better goals no reason for me to get fat
Whether or not that poster is lean year round does not invalidate the sound advice they gave you.
So you are the kind of person that asks for help and then insults those helping??? Way to go...0 -
itsflaccoi wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »itsflaccoi wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »
14-15 isnt lean i want to be lean and be as a finishing goal not fat and muscler from bulking at 15% and end up being 20% after my bulk
Which is why you cut after a bulk - you don't bulk in isolation - you run cycles between bulks & cuts.
See your one of those people who arent lean year round when you can be and still reach the same maybe even better goals no reason for me to get fat
Whether or not that poster is lean year round does not invalidate the sound advice they gave you.
So you are the kind of person that asks for help and then insults those helping??? Way to go...
You must not under this app than just because advice is given to you doesnt mean you have to accept it or leave "feedback" based on your opinion kinda the whole point of the community feature...0 -
itsflaccoi wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »itsflaccoi wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »
14-15 isnt lean i want to be lean and be as a finishing goal not fat and muscler from bulking at 15% and end up being 20% after my bulk
Which is why you cut after a bulk - you don't bulk in isolation - you run cycles between bulks & cuts.
See your one of those people who arent lean year round when you can be and still reach the same maybe even better goals no reason for me to get fat
Well, if you "know" that you can bulk without getting fat (despite what several others have told you), then obviously you know how to do it - so nothin' left to do but get busy, right? Why bother asking a bunch of people who you seem to think know less than you?
No sense trying to offer you any more help, you've obviously got it all figured out. Good luck on your journey.0 -
itsflaccoi wrote: »itsflaccoi wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »itsflaccoi wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »
14-15 isnt lean i want to be lean and be as a finishing goal not fat and muscler from bulking at 15% and end up being 20% after my bulk
Which is why you cut after a bulk - you don't bulk in isolation - you run cycles between bulks & cuts.
See your one of those people who arent lean year round when you can be and still reach the same maybe even better goals no reason for me to get fat
Whether or not that poster is lean year round does not invalidate the sound advice they gave you.
So you are the kind of person that asks for help and then insults those helping??? Way to go...
You must not under this app than just because advice is given to you doesnt mean you have to accept it or leave "feedback" based on your opinion kinda the whole point of the community feature...
so if you have all the answers what are you doing on this forum?0 -
itsflaccoi wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »itsflaccoi wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »
14-15 isnt lean i want to be lean and be as a finishing goal not fat and muscler from bulking at 15% and end up being 20% after my bulk
Which is why you cut after a bulk - you don't bulk in isolation - you run cycles between bulks & cuts.
See your one of those people who arent lean year round when you can be and still reach the same maybe even better goals no reason for me to get fat
The MOST difficult thing to do in fitness is the lean bulk because it is SLOW. I sincerely attempted a lean bulk and this could just be my experience but it was not successful. I then went onto doing a regular "bulk".
What I was doing was taking my TDEE and adding anywhere between 500-700 CLEAN. I was treating it like competition prep but eating nearly 4000 calories a day. Take it for what you will but back to your original question, I would try to get and maintain as close to 10-12% as possible. That would put you in a position to quickly cut down if you choose for beach season or what have you.0 -
itsflaccoi wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »itsflaccoi wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »
14-15 isnt lean i want to be lean and be as a finishing goal not fat and muscler from bulking at 15% and end up being 20% after my bulk
Which is why you cut after a bulk - you don't bulk in isolation - you run cycles between bulks & cuts.
See your one of those people who arent lean year round when you can be and still reach the same maybe even better goals no reason for me to get fat
The MOST difficult thing to do in fitness is the lean bulk because it is SLOW. I sincerely attempted a lean bulk and this could just be my experience but it was not successful. I then went onto doing a regular "bulk".
What I was doing was taking my TDEE and adding anywhere between 500-700 CLEAN. I was treating it like competition prep but eating nearly 4000 calories a day. Take it for what you will but back to your original question, I would try to get and maintain as close to 10-12% as possible. That would put you in a position to quickly cut down if you choose for beach season or what have you.
eating clean has nothing to do with minimizing fat gains. A 500-700 surplus of clean food will produce the same result as 500-700 of "dirty" (whatever that is) food...
a surplus is a surplus0 -
itsflaccoi wrote: »itsflaccoi wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »itsflaccoi wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »
14-15 isnt lean i want to be lean and be as a finishing goal not fat and muscler from bulking at 15% and end up being 20% after my bulk
Which is why you cut after a bulk - you don't bulk in isolation - you run cycles between bulks & cuts.
See your one of those people who arent lean year round when you can be and still reach the same maybe even better goals no reason for me to get fat
Whether or not that poster is lean year round does not invalidate the sound advice they gave you.
So you are the kind of person that asks for help and then insults those helping??? Way to go...
You must not under this app than just because advice is given to you doesnt mean you have to accept it or leave "feedback" based on your opinion kinda the whole point of the community feature...
so if you have all the answers what are you doing on this forum?
To see what other people's opinions are and if there is any of my knowledge and xp i can give people0 -
itsflaccoi wrote: »itsflaccoi wrote: »itsflaccoi wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »itsflaccoi wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »
14-15 isnt lean i want to be lean and be as a finishing goal not fat and muscler from bulking at 15% and end up being 20% after my bulk
Which is why you cut after a bulk - you don't bulk in isolation - you run cycles between bulks & cuts.
See your one of those people who arent lean year round when you can be and still reach the same maybe even better goals no reason for me to get fat
Whether or not that poster is lean year round does not invalidate the sound advice they gave you.
So you are the kind of person that asks for help and then insults those helping??? Way to go...
You must not under this app than just because advice is given to you doesnt mean you have to accept it or leave "feedback" based on your opinion kinda the whole point of the community feature...
so if you have all the answers what are you doing on this forum?
To see what other people's opinions are and if there is any of my knowledge and xp i can give people
as you were not aware what body fat % you should be before bulking, I respectfully question your knowledge.0 -
I can definitely understand your reasoning to want to be as lean as possible for starting the bulk. I personally have committed to bulking at a very slow pace for the same reason. However, you do have to be realistic. As it's been pointed out, you're probably not going to have much success trying to gain 15 lbs of muscle within 8 months, unless you cut down to 8-9% body fat first (which is certainly going to require a lot of effort from where you are now).0
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