Building muscle and trimming fat at same time? bulking/cutting phases?

Asked by: Nina Padilla

Can you bulk and cut fat at the same time?

“Although many people claim that you cannot do it, it is indeed possible to build muscle and lose body fat simultaneously. This process is often referred to as ‘recomping,'” Ben Carpenter, a qualified master personal trainer and strength-and-conditioning specialist, told Insider.

Should you bulk first or cut first?

It’s pretty simple. If you’re lean enough to bulk (10-15% body fat or less for a man, or 18-23% or less for a woman), you should probably bulk first. If you’re above these ranges, you should cut first. And if you’re a beginner who’s somewhere in the middle, you should recomp.

Why do people bulk and cut multiple times?

People usually bulk for a given amount of time followed by a cutting period to reduce excess fat. Most people with training experience find it difficult to gain muscle and lose fat at the same time.

Can you put on size while cutting?

It is possible to gain muscle and still cut body fat but completing the phases separately can improve your results. In order to cut body fat, you need to burn more calories than you take in on a daily basis.

How long should you bulk vs cut?

If you are at a satisfactory lean starting body composition start with a bulk for 12 weeks, then rest for four to eight weeks, followed by a six to 12 week cut – depending on how much fat you gained.

Should I bulk with 25% body fat?

You should probably bulk if you are below 15-20% body fat (25-30% for women) and don’t have much muscle to show if you did cut. ? Your training should consist of good form, correct volume (not too many or too few reps and sets a week per muscle group), and always trying to lift heavier in some aspect when possible.

How long should cutting last?

A cutting diet lasts 2–4 months, depending on how lean you are before dieting, and is normally timed around bodybuilding competitions, athletic events, or occasions like holidays ( 4 ). A cutting diet aims to get you as lean as possible while maintaining muscle mass.

Should I bulk at 16 percent body fat?

If you want to gain muscle and strength as quickly as possible and you’re at or below 10% (men) or 20% (women) body fat, then you should bulk. And if you want to lose fat as quickly as possible and you’re at or above 15% (men) or 25% (women) body fat, then you should cut.

Should I still lift heavy while cutting?

Despite what many novices (and even some strength coaches believe), lifting heavy is still an essential part to cutting. Lifting heavy, relatively speaking, is ideal for preserving strength and muscle mass during the cutting phase.

Why am I gaining muscle while cutting?

Thus, as long as your body has sufficient stimulus to build muscle mass, which it has if your training program is optimized, it has both the means and the will to build muscle mass while simultaneously losing fat. There you go, muscle growth during a cut.

Do you lose muscle while cutting?

In order to cut successfully, you need to reduce your energy intake. If you take in fewer calories than your body uses up, your body will burn fat. If you have a calorie deficit over an extended period, some muscle mass will always be lost.

How fast can I cut without losing muscle?

There is an acceptable rate of weight loss over time that will help prevent the loss of muscle. This magic percentage is somewhere in the realm of 0.7-1{885586236f5820200058e61f9e2fcec1023d525f8b1a6e4e5a4fd7f3c0d65acb} of total body weight per week.