Bulking Phase

granty1987

Curious to know what people feel are reasonable levels of lean muscle gain during a bulking period over the space of 1/3/6 months? And the ratio of bf% associated with this?

I have been training on and off for a good few years but up until recently I would now say that my programming has been crap.

At the start of the year I know I was 81kg then during the spring/summer I dropped to 78.5kg from excessive sports and not eating enough.

Since June/July (at the suggestions of the fine members online here) I have started committing to lifting, eating more and reducing my cardio a lot and have gone up to 82.5kg at 12.5% bf. I usually stay at the 11.5% range but have noticed the bf increase a bit since I have increased my food intake and reduced my cardio.

I'm not going into the details of my intake, just curious as to what the typical gains are and what people consider an acceptable bf% increase during this period. This year I have seen the most weight fluctuation since I went to 90kg+ in school for rugby. I always thought I was a hard gainer but maybe it was just down to poor programming and dedication.

Alf Veedersane

If you're putting on about 2-4 lbs per month, you're probably doing alright. You will add some body fat but that's the nature of the beast.

Mellor

How are you calculating your bf%?

The acceptable number will vary from person to person. A few percent up then cut back down.

BabyE

Bulking is a sham.

Zillah

BabyE wrote: »

Bulking is a sham.

Thank you for the extensive links and clear-minded explanations.

granty1987

Mellor wrote: »

How are you calculating your bf%?

The acceptable number will vary from person to person. A few percent up then cut back down.

Calipers during an assessment in the gym. They grabbed the flab at my bicep, tricep, scapula and stomach. They didnt file the previous measurements so I cant compare each body part (why are gym assessment measurements not filed online?)

JJayoo

I wouldn't put much faith in capiliars unless the person doing it knows their sh1t.

Alf Veedersane

JJayoo wrote: »

I wouldn't put much faith in capiliars unless the person doing it knows their sh1t.

Well-timed typo.

newcar2016

JJayoo wrote: »

I wouldn't put much faith in capiliars unless the person doing it knows their sh1t.

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Well-timed typo.

Would you put any faith in the BodyPod body composition measurements in UCD?

Alf Veedersane

It's more about the person's ability to do an accurate assessment. If they can then I'd just be looking at the trend in measurements rather than in the body fat percentage.