Gym rats, do you have bulk and cut phases? Why or why not ?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 19:43:05 -0500

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Feb 29 at 2016 8:50 PM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 20:50:46 -0500

Bulk and cut phases are usually for Body Builders and Muscleheads ..but the ones I trained would bulk up by lifting as heavy as they could handle and do as many reps as they could . This was called "going for the max" They did this for 90 days and then drop to less heavy weights and do more reps to get "Cut".. So the two phases were lift heavy for 90 days and lift lighter for 90 days. I also added running during the lighter phases to help burn any excess body fat and test them for body fat % by using the Pool technique to get an accurate measurement for body fat..

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 10:49 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 22:49:55 -0500

Clean bulk always, I'm never fluffy and at 72" weight 200lbs dry, I'm under 10% body fat and well over the 1000lb mark for my 3 power lifts. I don't do carb cycling or care about macros. I just eat 6 clean meals a day with protein at every meal and supplement with the worlds best nutritional company out there to fill those nutritional gaps. If you are in need of a real results driven program private message me and I will be more than happy to help you out.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 7:28 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 07:28:32 -0500

I usually bulk during the winter months (Oct-Feb) and right around March time frame I start my cut phase. I do this because I plan to enter a competition this summer and because I love working out.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 2:35 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 14:35:39 -0500

I've been bulking for 38 years now ;)

Response by SGT Lou Meza made Mar 1 at 2016 9:58 PM

SGT Lou Meza — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 21:58:00 -0500

For me no need to bulk , don't want to bulk . I left the Army in 1968 at 5'8" and 160 lbs. 31 inch waist . I am now at 5'8" and fluctuate between 160-165 lbs. with a 32 inch waist . I do go to the gym 3 times a week for an hour to an hour and a half . And try to hit the heavy bag at least 15-20 minutes each time I go .

Response by LCpl Nico Thomas made Mar 15 at 2016 7:17 AM

LCpl Nico Thomas — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 07:17:47 -0400

I perfer clean massing and even cleaner cutting phases. It's more significant if you have a goal or competition. For instance, last bodybuilding comp of the year is in Nov. (NPC Colorado) so my off season is from Nov. until the second week of Jan. After which you can begin your dietary planning for cutting. First show is in March so given the time, you should at least appear to be comp prepped or preparing for comp.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2016 12:06 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 00:06:53 -0400

Now there is a question that came up just a couple weeks ago that I listened in on. We were grading a PT test and as they were running one of the officers said, Oh he's bulking up thats why his run time is slow. He was telling the other graders that you can't bulk and keep the same run time. So I stepped in and asked for an explanation on this. He said your adding weight, of coarse your going to be slower. So I informed this young officer that he was not 100% correct. If you are truly bulking, you can add weight that is muscle and not fat. Muscle weights more than fat, but in return fat is where you get your sluggish feeling and shortness of breath sooner. So then he asked the age old question, Well how do you feel about bulking and cutting at the same time. I said that depends on your regime. What it is that you are trying to accomplish. Because again, You can bulk and Cut at the same time. He said no way. I Said sure they can, I have done it numerous of times. If you cut 15 pounds but are bigger then your are doing both, and if you still want to be bigger then You continue to switch up your program and watch your calories. Now I say this being if you need more add them. So Yes I have Bulk/Cut and Both at the same time.