Lean bulking. Your experience and opinions on it

[massnup]

I have a naturally fast metabolism (skinny guy here)--lean bulking doesn't really work well for me. I don't get stupid fat, but I'm not afraid to put it on either. Even with a life that for the past few years has had me unable to optimize everything for bodybuilding, I've still managed to put on ~8lbs a year with this method. True lean bulking has me put on 3-4lbs a year, max, assuming no errors and 100% consistency.

This thread was one of the original ones that spoke to me and I'm linking to the post with my progress (pictures included in this post):

http://www.professionalmuscle.com/f...tuff-like-absolutely-love-13.html#post2518742

Note: I have no problem dieting down or getting super diced. For others this may not be the best strategy, but it's worked / been working for me for awhile. I also haven't competed since 2014 and had no incentive to diet down--but I didn't let my body get out of control either. I did a few mini diets here and there to keep the fat to what I considered an acceptable level.

How many cals over maintenance do you shoot for?

 

[tenny]

just because you walked on stage.....doesn't mean you were
stage ready...

 

[goal245]

I have a naturally fast metabolism (skinny guy here)--lean bulking doesn't really work well for me. I don't get stupid fat, but I'm not afraid to put it on either. Even with a life that for the past few years has had me unable to optimize everything for bodybuilding, I've still managed to put on ~8lbs a year with this method. True lean bulking has me put on 3-4lbs a year, max, assuming no errors and 100% consistency.

This thread was one of the original ones that spoke to me and I'm linking to the post with my progress (pictures included in this post):

http://www.professionalmuscle.com/f...tuff-like-absolutely-love-13.html#post2518742

Note: I have no problem dieting down or getting super diced. For others this may not be the best strategy, but it's worked / been working for me for awhile. I also haven't competed since 2014 and had no incentive to diet down--but I didn't let my body get out of control either. I did a few mini diets here and there to keep the fat to what I considered an acceptable level.

I think to go from "boy" to "man", an all out bulk is necessary, eating as much as possible etc. I've made my biggest jumps in weight/size adding a good amount of fat but that in the first few years of training/juicing. Now that most of the size is there I can add slowly/refine without getting too fat (keep it around 10-12% BF)

 

[XstarchildX]

I think to go from "boy" to "man", an all out bulk is necessary, eating as much as possible etc. I've made my biggest jumps in weight/size adding a good amount of fat but that in the first few years of training/juicing. Now that most of the size is there I can add slowly/refine without getting too fat (keep it around 10-12% BF)

I am going to agree with this. Unless you have absolutely superior genetics, one has to have at least one good "growing season" where you push it outside your comfort zone. From there you can fine tune and stay leaner.

 

[bieberhole69]

How many cals over maintenance do you shoot for?

I just keep going up as needed, 500 or so at a time.

I think to go from "boy" to "man", an all out bulk is necessary, eating as much as possible etc. I've made my biggest jumps in weight/size adding a good amount of fat but that in the first few years of training/juicing. Now that most of the size is there I can add slowly/refine without getting too fat (keep it around 10-12% BF)

I wasn't talking about that kind of all out bulk--I just don't stop when most would. I started in my 20s and have been lifting 11 years now...still works the best for me. For me, I have to push the weight and hold it for awhile or else I'll just drop right back to where I was. But like I said, I can still get down ultra-quick so I'm not worried about it--others might need to take this into consideration.

 

[Flex500]

What does a 7000 calorie cheat meal consist of?

It can vary. Some Saturdays it's two meals, some one and it ranges from 5,000-10,000 calories.

It typically starts with an appetizer of doughnuts https://youtu.be/dLk07T04XS4

I like doughnuts

 

[Flex500]

I have a naturally fast metabolism (skinny guy here)--lean bulking doesn't really work well for me. I don't get stupid fat, but I'm not afraid to put it on either. Even with a life that for the past few years has had me unable to optimize everything for bodybuilding, I've still managed to put on ~8lbs a year with this method. True lean bulking has me put on 3-4lbs a year, max, assuming no errors and 100% consistency.

This thread was one of the original ones that spoke to me and I'm linking to the post with my progress (pictures included in this post):

http://www.professionalmuscle.com/f...tuff-like-absolutely-love-13.html#post2518742

Note: I have no problem dieting down or getting super diced. For others this may not be the best strategy, but it's worked / been working for me for awhile. I also haven't competed since 2014 and had no incentive to diet down--but I didn't let my body get out of control either. I did a few mini diets here and there to keep the fat to what I considered an acceptable level.

Thanks you for sharing good info!