Why do I look like I don't lift? Skinny guy bulking
javisho
Posts: 12 Member
Hi guys. Since I was a kid i have been the skinny type of guy. Last year I started bulking aiming to gain 5 lbs per week. The last months I've been more persistent and disciplined. I was 142 lbs and right now I am 178. But people always tell me I don't look like I lift and that makes me feel kinda sad because I give my best every day in the gym. So that being said I dont know if I have a high bf percentage and maybe thats the reason my chest arms etc.. Dont look defined. My goal was to be 195 pounds or 200 ans cut to a shredded level ( at least see my abs popping and have a nice beach body) but with all these comments idk if I have been doing it the right way this whole year and a half. I workout 5-6 days a week and my reps are mostly in a range of 6 to 12. 3 days hit legs and the rest upper body.
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Replies
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If you were gaining 5 pounds per week, chances are good that 3-4 pounds of it was fat every week. So most likely your lack of definition is because of a high bodyfat percentage.
This is not exact, but at least it will put you in the ballpark - take a look at these pics, which one looks most like you currently?:
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If you were gaining 5 pounds per week, chances are good that 3-4 pounds of it was fat every week. So most likely your lack of definition is because of a high bodyfat percentage.
This is not exact, but at least it will put you in the ballpark - take a look at these pics, which one looks most like you currently?:
I'd say I am around 20-22 bfp. I still have skinny arms. Would you suggest me going through a cut or keep bulking by looking at my goals in the future?0 -
I wish I could post a picture. Can't seem to figure out how to do so though0
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I'd cut. Somewhere close to 10-15%. You've bulked too quickly and inevitably that's mostly going to be fat. You need to see where you are. Cut and bulk cycles aren't magic, it's going to take a lot longer than 18 months to go from skinny to wherever you want to be.
You also need to get your training on point. Is this something you've thrown together yourself? If it is, ditch it and go with one of the programs in this thread:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p15 -
why did you think gaining 5lb per week would be a good idea?!8
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Cut. 20%+ Bodyfat is too high to bulk. You're just going to look fatter and even less like you lift
Posting a picture would help people give you better advice though
As above, what did you think was going to happen gaining 5lbs per week? lol3 -
It sounds like your method to build muscle has been off. I can work hard 2 hours a day 6 days a week in the gym but if my lifting program is sub optimal and my diet/caloric intake is not designed to support my training regime, results are not going to be what is expected.
5 pounds a week is quite aggressive goal to gain each week. Consider a cut and then go back to a bulk phase once you get down to optimal body fat percentage (around 15%).4 -
You told your weight but not your height.
How tall are you?1 -
I wouldn't bulk until < 15%1
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TavistockToad wrote: »why did you think gaining 5lb per week would be a good idea?!
Because I am a hard gainer. I have a very fast metabolism. So losing weight for me is rather easy.8 -
TavistockToad wrote: »why did you think gaining 5lb per week would be a good idea?!
Because I am a hard gainer. I have a very fast metabolism. So losing weight for me is rather easy.
that doesn't answer the question... and if you can gain 5lb per week consistently then you are NOT a hard gainer.9 -
Yeah, if you're gaining 5lbs a week you're not a hard gainer. All a "hard gainer" is, is someone who naturally has habits that make it difficult to eat sufficient calories for their goals.6
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ManBehindTheMask wrote: »Cut. 20%+ Bodyfat is too high to bulk. You're just going to look fatter and even less like you lift
Posting a picture would help people give you better advice though
As above, what did you think was going to happen gaining 5lbs per week? lol
Its hard for me to put on weight. When I started lifting I had a very flat chest. Skinny arms. Chicken legs. My abs popped but because of my skinny body. As I say. For me losing weight is not the real matter. I can lose weight very quickly. As of my photo how can I upload it? Cant seem to find the place to submit 1.0 -
It sounds like your method to build muscle has been off. I can work hard 2 hours a day 6 days a week in the gym but if my lifting program is sub optimal and my diet/caloric intake is not designed to support my training regime, results are not going to be what is expected.
5 pounds a week is quite aggressive goal to gain each week. Consider a cut and then go back to a bulk phase once you get down to optimal body fat percentage (around 15%).
So eating less calories would put me on more weight in more time but without that extra fat?0 -
VintageFeline wrote: »Yeah, if you're gaining 5lbs a week you're not a hard gainer. All a "hard gainer" is, is someone who naturally has habits that make it difficult to eat sufficient calories for their goals.
That's a good point. I guess ill have to cut some fat then.0 -
Hi guys. Since I was a kid i have been the skinny type of guy. Last year I started bulking aiming to gain 5 lbs per week. The last months I've been more persistent and disciplined. I was 142 lbs and right now I am 178. But people always tell me I don't look like I lift and that makes me feel kinda sad because I give my best every day in the gym. So that being said I dont know if I have a high bf percentage and maybe thats the reason my chest arms etc.. Dont look defined. My goal was to be 195 pounds or 200 ans cut to a shredded level ( at least see my abs popping and have a nice beach body) but with all these comments idk if I have been doing it the right way this whole year and a half. I workout 5-6 days a week and my reps are mostly in a range of 6 to 12. 3 days hit legs and the rest upper body.
A couple of things here.... You say you were aiming for 5 pounds a week and started "last year". You only gained 36 pounds. That is a LOT less than 5 pounds a week. It would have only taken you about two months to gain those 36# at the rate claimed. So, when did you ACTUALLY start your bulk and program? ... and what has your actual rate of weight gain been?
You are 178# at 6' and claim about 20% or higher BF. You do realized that 178# at that bf % is still pretty darned skinny? Of course you aren't going to look like you lift, especially with clothes on. It's a start, but you have a long ways to go before people think you are "big" at that height. Alternately, 178# with a very low BF % would look pretty good shirtless.
Also, how have your main lifts progressed? Where did you start and where are you now.
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Cut calories or eat at maintenance. Consume enough protein. Also don't do your own lifting program. Look up a good beginners lifting program.0
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It sounds like your method to build muscle has been off. I can work hard 2 hours a day 6 days a week in the gym but if my lifting program is sub optimal and my diet/caloric intake is not designed to support my training regime, results are not going to be what is expected.
5 pounds a week is quite aggressive goal to gain each week. Consider a cut and then go back to a bulk phase once you get down to optimal body fat percentage (around 15%).
So eating less calories would put me on more weight in more time but without that extra fat?
I am not clear on the exact time frame you gained 38 pounds. But it sounds as if you have gained a proportion of fat to muscle that is more fat, hence lacking definition. Continuing with a bulk is not optimal and you should cut.
Its good to keep progress photos and measurements, maybe if you could upload us a current photo that would help too.
Don't do your own program, use the link provided above to locate already designed ones.. Once you cut back to 15% BF, increase your calories by 250 (find your baseline maintenance cals and add to this).... you will want to do several bulk/cut cycles to get to your desired results.1 -
Hi guys. Since I was a kid i have been the skinny type of guy. Last year I started bulking aiming to gain 5 lbs per week. The last months I've been more persistent and disciplined. I was 142 lbs and right now I am 178. But people always tell me I don't look like I lift and that makes me feel kinda sad because I give my best every day in the gym. So that being said I dont know if I have a high bf percentage and maybe thats the reason my chest arms etc.. Dont look defined. My goal was to be 195 pounds or 200 ans cut to a shredded level ( at least see my abs popping and have a nice beach body) but with all these comments idk if I have been doing it the right way this whole year and a half. I workout 5-6 days a week and my reps are mostly in a range of 6 to 12. 3 days hit legs and the rest upper body.
First, come up with a more realistic goal.
Second, if you are over 20% you need to cut because you are not bulking you are just fattening up.
Third, once you are down to a shredded level (which would probably be around your starting weight) go on a slow bulk.2 -
6' and 178 is not heavy.
You don't look like you lift because you are not bulky.
If you are fairly lean you will not look massive wearing clothes but it doesn't mean you are not muscular.
Frank Zane was not impressive wearing clothing. If you saw him on the street you would not have even noticed him and yet he was Mr. Olympia 3 times. He was 5'9" and 178 at this peak contest condition and around 200 normally.
You are training too often doing 5-6 times a week.
Train 2-3 times a week on a full body routine with basic movements. You won't grow training 5-6 times a week. That's ok if you are trying to lose weight but not if you are trying to build yourself up.
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TavistockToad wrote: »why did you think gaining 5lb per week would be a good idea?!
I just realized I didnt ad the "." .5 pounds per week is what I was aiming to gain. I know, that was my bad.0 -
jseams1234 wrote: »Hi guys. Since I was a kid i have been the skinny type of guy. Last year I started bulking aiming to gain 5 lbs per week. The last months I've been more persistent and disciplined. I was 142 lbs and right now I am 178. But people always tell me I don't look like I lift and that makes me feel kinda sad because I give my best every day in the gym. So that being said I dont know if I have a high bf percentage and maybe thats the reason my chest arms etc.. Dont look defined. My goal was to be 195 pounds or 200 ans cut to a shredded level ( at least see my abs popping and have a nice beach body) but with all these comments idk if I have been doing it the right way this whole year and a half. I workout 5-6 days a week and my reps are mostly in a range of 6 to 12. 3 days hit legs and the rest upper body.
A couple of things here.... You say you were aiming for 5 pounds a week and started "last year". You only gained 36 pounds. That is a LOT less than 5 pounds a week. It would have only taken you about two months to gain those 36# at the rate claimed. So, when did you ACTUALLY start your bulk and program? ... and what has your actual rate of weight gain been?
You are 178# at 6' and claim about 20% or higher BF. You do realized that 178# at that bf % is still pretty darned skinny? Of course you aren't going to look like you lift, especially with clothes on. It's a start, but you have a long ways to go before people think you are "big" at that height. Alternately, 178# with a very low BF % would look pretty good shirtless.
Also, how have your main lifts progressed? Where did you start and where are you now.
I forgot to type the dot. .5 lbs per week is my range of gain. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Now with that said. 178 lbs for a 6ft guy with 20 to 22 aprox bfp is still normal? Would you suggest me keep on bulking or cut a little fat0 -
jseams1234 wrote: »Hi guys. Since I was a kid i have been the skinny type of guy. Last year I started bulking aiming to gain 5 lbs per week. The last months I've been more persistent and disciplined. I was 142 lbs and right now I am 178. But people always tell me I don't look like I lift and that makes me feel kinda sad because I give my best every day in the gym. So that being said I dont know if I have a high bf percentage and maybe thats the reason my chest arms etc.. Dont look defined. My goal was to be 195 pounds or 200 ans cut to a shredded level ( at least see my abs popping and have a nice beach body) but with all these comments idk if I have been doing it the right way this whole year and a half. I workout 5-6 days a week and my reps are mostly in a range of 6 to 12. 3 days hit legs and the rest upper body.
A couple of things here.... You say you were aiming for 5 pounds a week and started "last year". You only gained 36 pounds. That is a LOT less than 5 pounds a week. It would have only taken you about two months to gain those 36# at the rate claimed. So, when did you ACTUALLY start your bulk and program? ... and what has your actual rate of weight gain been?
You are 178# at 6' and claim about 20% or higher BF. You do realized that 178# at that bf % is still pretty darned skinny? Of course you aren't going to look like you lift, especially with clothes on. It's a start, but you have a long ways to go before people think you are "big" at that height. Alternately, 178# with a very low BF % would look pretty good shirtless.
Also, how have your main lifts progressed? Where did you start and where are you now.
I forgot to type the dot. .5 lbs per week is my range of gain. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Now with that said. 178 lbs for a 6ft guy with 20 to 22 aprox bfp is still normal? Would you suggest me keep on bulking or cut a little fat
It's probably the normal bodyfat range for a young 6ft male. If you are going to bulk, you should start at 12-15% BF.
Would suggest eating at maintenance (maybe a slight, 100 calories a day or so, surplus), while lifting until your BF gets around 13%, then bulk.2 -
OP what lifting program are you following? A young natural lifter should be able to gain 2 pounds of muscle a month following a solid program. Contrary to popular belief bulking muscle is a lot of hard work that can take years for people to 'see'.0
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Jesus dude. 5 lbs per week would result in a shitload of fat gain even for someone pushing the needle nitrous.0
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Gaining weight is easy, gaining muscle is tougher. Just because you gained 5 lbs a week, it doesn't mean you gained anywhere near 5 lbs of muscles. I guarantee you most of it is fat. Next time you bulk (once you cut down your body fat), you should aim to gain somewhere about 0,5-1 lb (since you are new lifter) per week, there is no need to go higher, it will be mostly fat.TavistockToad wrote: »why did you think gaining 5lb per week would be a good idea?!
Because I am a hard gainer. I have a very fast metabolism. So losing weight for me is rather easy.
The op made an error and corrected it to
0.5. He forgot the dot!1
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