What is the best bodyfat % to bulk at?

Buildinthaskinnys · Mar 16, 2009

Im trying to gain as much muscle as I possible can right now and I will do so for the next two years without any intention of leaning out or cutting up, I hover at 18-20% bodyfat, should I care if this increases?

PHIL HERNON · Mar 16, 2009

So.......

Buildinthaskinnys said:
Im trying to gain as much muscle as I possible can right now and I will do so for the next two years without any intention of leaning out or cutting up, I hover at 18-20% bodyfat, should I care if this increases?

So you want to know how lean you should get before you start getting fat? Just start off really fat then it will be easier to get fatter.

Flexican · Mar 16, 2009

PHIL HERNON said:
So you want to know how lean you should get before you start getting fat? Just start off really fat then it will be easier to get fatter.

LMFAO!!!

Buildinthaskinnys · Mar 16, 2009

Well, I guess what Im tryin to say is how fat is too fat?
Im only interested in muscle and strength gains right now, not looking at my abs.

RONJON · Mar 16, 2009

PHIL HERNON said:
So you want to know how lean you should get before you start getting fat? Just start off really fat then it will be easier to get fatter.

very good point..took me a long time to realize that!

Buildinthaskinnys · Mar 16, 2009

PHIL HERNON said:
So you want to know how lean you should get before you start getting fat? Just start off really fat then it will be easier to get fatter.

Could you rephrase that?

PHIL HERNON · Mar 16, 2009

Try this

Buildinthaskinnys said:
Im trying to gain as much muscle as I possible can right now and I will do so for the next two years without any intention of leaning out or cutting up, I hover at 18-20% bodyfat, should I care if this increases?

You dont care about staying lean......correct? No intention of cutting up or leaning out correct? You are at 20% body fat now correct? You ask if we care if it increases correct? Anything you want to rephrase?

Buildinthaskinnys · Mar 17, 2009

Ok, How Fat is too Fat,

considering maximizing gains and minimizing health concerns.

AWN2004 · Mar 17, 2009

Around 10-11% in my opinion is optimal. IF you are bodybuilding, you should never get so fat you don't resemble one. Just my opinion.

Buildinthaskinnys · Mar 17, 2009

AWN2004 said:
Around 10-11% in my opinion is optimal. IF you are bodybuilding, you should never get so fat you don't resemble one. Just my opinion.

I wouldnt consider myself a bodybuilder anyway, I just want to build a solid base.

PHIL HERNON · Mar 17, 2009

Well

Buildinthaskinnys said:
Ok, How Fat is too Fat,

considering maximizing gains and minimizing health concerns.

Being obese does not mean you are unhealthy.......but this sport is about asthetics correct?

Thor · Mar 17, 2009

HOLY SHIT !

AWN2004 said:
Around 10-11% in my opinion is optimal. IF you are bodybuilding, you should never get so fat you don't resemble one. Just my opinion.

Not only is this place the best for info, it is also the best place to get a good laugh..

That shit was funny! (not your quote AWN, the other stuff) .... I bulk at around 12 to 14 % all winter and usually add between 10 and 20 lbs. then HOLD IT for at least a month before adding cardio and cutting out sugar and lowering carbs, ending up at around 8 % (approx) by mid summer.

patricio2626 · Mar 17, 2009

PHIL HERNON said:
Being obese does not mean you are unhealthy.......but this sport is about asthetics correct?

So, Phil, are you saying that building significant muscle is as possible and as easy while maintaining a lean (say, 10%, for argument's sake) physique as it is while 'bulking' - eating significant enough quantities of food to steadily gain some fat alongside with muscle? Not trying to be a smartass, I'm genuinely asking if I understood correctly. I would think that there would be some argument for periods of 'bulking' when aesthetics are not of such a concern (offseason, etc).

BigMatt · Mar 17, 2009

Dont Go Over 10% BF.

PHIL HERNON · Mar 17, 2009

I will be honest

patricio2626 said:
So, Phil, are you saying that building significant muscle is as possible and as easy while maintaining a lean (say, 10%, for argument's sake) physique as it is while 'bulking' - eating significant enough quantities of food to steadily gain some fat alongside with muscle? Not trying to be a smartass, I'm genuinely asking if I understood correctly. I would think that there would be some argument for periods of 'bulking' when aesthetics are not of such a concern (offseason, etc).

If a professional bodybuilder guest posed at 10% people would laugh at him...........say he is washed up......and they get bigger each year........ Heath, Coleman, Ray, Wheeler, DIllett, Labrada, Ray, Cormier, Yates, Jackson, Cutler, Warren...... all were always lean........probably never in their life got over 10% .......so you are asking me if it is possible?

cooper250 · Mar 17, 2009

12% and deff. no more than 15%.....u should consider loseing some fat before bulking.

shawnkarbabacz · Mar 17, 2009

i did the 'eat whatever and not care how much fat i gained as long as i was gaining size' deal for the past yr. Putting aside the fact that it is SOOOO horrible trying to ditch that fat later, especially if your trying to diet for a show where obsurd conditioning is needed, i hated it. Im not a seasoned BB by ANY means, but i learned the hard way its easy to say 'well its the offseason so no biggie' when it comes to your diet, and it only gets easier and easier to keep saying that.

Id say it depends on the person, but personally for me, what i look like at around 10-12% is what im gonna keep from now on. I dont think adding the fat helped gain MUSCLE any more then if i stayed leaner and just ate a little more over maintenance. I agree with most of these guys, sadly after trial and error, that you should look the part yr rd. Although if you dont really care then the bf% shouldnt mean anything anyway. This is all in my humble opinion....

taslajrisi · Mar 17, 2009

BF %

Any thoughts on BF% measuring devices? Which ones work best? Calipers? Hand held devices? What do you use to measure BF% guys? Thanks

doug1 · Mar 17, 2009

funny stuff phil, thanks for the laughs, btw, i'm laughing with you, not at you "buildintheskinnys"

doug1 · Mar 17, 2009

taslajrisi said:
Any thoughts on BF% measuring devices? Which ones work best? Calipers? Hand held devices? What do you use to measure BF% guys? Thanks

calipers are probably going to be best bet as long as same person does it blah,blah,blah. as i look back it was really all a waste of time unless you want to scientifically track the amount of muscle loss on a specific diet. i use my jeans, tape measure and the mirror to "track" fat loss, been doing stuff so long not much thought even goes into things now. once i get down to about 8%, getting lower becomes a real hassle. i can see my abs and have some good defenition at that level so i rarely try and push much lower. i don't compete so whats the point for me.