AR77

I have heard two different views regarding body fat during 'bulking':

1. Bulking up requires a calorie surplus and hence a higher body fat % is inevitable and to a certain extent, required.

2. By keeping body fat % lower , this will aid in muscle growth. This is based on an idea that less fat, more muscle will mean that their is more focus on muscle growth I think?

I would appreciate any views/opinions on this. Largely because summers coming round so il be looking to drop my Body Fat lower and I'm wondering whether I should try to maintain a level maybe around 12% afterwards?

Thanks in advance.

Liam

In order to increase muscle size you need to feed them enough calories. This comes from protein, carbs and fats. It is likely that during a 'bulk' some fat will be put on, however you can minimise this by bulking as cleanly as possible ie. eating alot but only good quality foods, no ****! Also remember that if you are clean bulking, the increase in muscle will combat your bodyfat % so it could even go down.

Adding in a little cardio maybe two or three times a week during a 'bulk' can also help keep off some fat.

warren_1987

yeah mate, you must eat more kcals imo, for years i was worried about bf% going up and looking fat therefre ate little and i never gained muscle. sinced joining here i started to eat 500kcals more than needed and im gaining weight now, sure im gaining fat aswell but the muscle im gaining out weighs the fat thereore i look slimmer ie abs showing more shoulders , chest etc etc

i know its hard to just accept you will gain some fat, ( unless your a compleate genetic freak lol) but its worth gaining a bit for gaining more muscle.

imo its alot harder to gain lbm than loose fat.

good luck mate