First cycle bulk or cut
Hello,.
is there any evidence what would be better to do on first cycle(considering it won't be a B&C after it), is it better to bulk before or cut?
I read lots of people recommending to cut before and bulk on first cycle because it is "wasted" if cutting on it, but I can't find anywhere WHY and I dislike the idea of cutting after cycle because it feels like shit to cut naturally and the higher the lean body mass is the harder it is to maintain it while cutting.
Stats: Natural, training for 6 years now, 193 cm and 210 lbs with prob. 13-14% of body fat.
Also I don't like cutting so maybe that's why I am so negative towards it.
What is your experience on your first cycle and did you bulk or cut?
Any input and advice is highly appreciated, thank you.
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It is possible to gain significant size while dropping weight. Before chemical help. I competed and fit my first show i ate 400g of protein per day, moderate fat and cycled my carbs. I went from 206 and 14% body fat to 203 and 5.5% so gained about 17 pounds of muscle no drugs over 4 months.
TricepatopsThat seems fishy not saying it isn't possible but the likelihood of a lifter doing that is usually not plausible even on gear that would be awesome.
I recommend cutting first. Now this does not have to be a contest style cut (sub 8%) but just enough where you are around 10-12%. You dont need anabolics to cut or bulk but they help preserve muscle in a cut.
All of this is diet dependant so focus on that first as a natural. Then decide to hop on later if you want
Anon"they help preserve muscle in a cut" yea this was my reasoning to do it in the first place, but I have decided to go for a slight bulk(+300kcal) instead when I will be cycling and if needed cut post cycle.
My plan is to do the first cycle in 5 months or so, still doing research for now and lots could change, but I think I am getting really solid knowledge by now.
300 cals isn't going to be worth it. 1K+ is what you need to get the body to respond and build muscle at an accelerated rate.
AnonWith the 1k+ there will be a LOT of fat gain as well. With me gaining +1kg per week the whole cycle(14 weeks) so +14kg and + some water weight is a bit too much to test for my first time.
Using cyclic bulking you will gain more muscle and much less fat and have overall much better body composition. 300cals and you will look the same as when you started.
AnonHm okay I had to google what that means, can't believe I haven't heard of it before, I read your article as well and I am currently listening to "Layne Norton on Mini-Cuts and Mini-Bulks" to hear a bit more about it. I have always just done the standard bulk/maintain/cut/maintain/cut or bulk... maintaining in between each one because I read a long time ago that it is more beneficial to do it rather than going straight from bulk to cut and vice versa, BUT that was only when doing them for longer period. "Cycling bulking" is something new to me and if there is any studies of that or maybe vs for example long term bulk/ cut that you can share I would appreciate it.
Thank you Makwa.
Give them a vote if you find it helpful.PermalinkMakwa has a whole forum post on it. The idea is to keep the metabolism going and help insulin sensitivity. I have tried it before and can agree it is the best way imo
AnonYup I read it, its a cool idea. I will see what I will do when the time comes. Thanks to the both of you for helping me out.
Give them a vote if you find it helpful.PermalinkI really only see the muscle preservation once I drop below 10%.
Its good to start doing researching. More information is always better. Also make sure you have proper safety
AnonThat's interesting, thank you for sharing.
Yup proper safety is my biggest concern, to keep everything sterile as I do not wanna mess with infections and also to learn what to and how to dose against stuff like gyno and similar, probably trial and error at the start and then lab results if needed.
What I don't like is lots of people say to do labs for every little thing, but I can't be doing labs every few days.
Give them a vote if you find it helpful.PermalinkOr get a Dexa scan for $40. Down to the .01” specs. Haha “you only thought you were lean….” Moment
Anonhaha I know I am not lean lean, but 13-14% was an honest guess from my part, could maybe post a profile pic, though pictures can be tricky and not the most realistic(angle, light...the usual haha). I did cut more than once and towards the end of it was not quite enjoyable, but per Makwa explanation it seems once I do my first cycle I will bulk and will have to grit through the cut "naturally" when needed.
Don't guestimate BF. Buy a $10 caliper and actuallly test it so you know. I wouldn't do a cut just to get in shape if that is what you have planned. Get in shape, get your bodyfat below 12% and then do cycle to build some muscle.
AnonCaliper is a nice idea, thank you.
"Get in shape, get your bodyfat below 12% and then do cycle to build some muscle", this, yes, at first I wanted to bulk before cycle, then cut on it, but I have been reading lot's of recommendations as yours and wondering why is that the case, why not cut on cycle, my idea is to build as much muscle as possible on it.
Give them a vote if you find it helpful.PermalinkYou don't need steroids to lose fat. You need them to build muscle though. The lower your bodyfat is when you start a bulk the more muscle tissue you will gain. Lower bodyfat means more muscle gain when you start a cycle. Trying to lose bodyfat and gain muscle in the same cycle is like trying to catch 2 squirrels, you won't catch either one, so pick one or the other and most of the time it should be bulk unless you are getting into the single digit bodyfat range.
https://www.eroids.com/forums/general/general-talk/wasting-your-cycle-on...
https://www.eroids.com/forums/general/general-talk/scientific-proof-lowe...
AnonWow this is great and was exactly what interested me, thank you and thank you for keeping it brief and simple as well.
Give them a vote if you find it helpful.PermalinkHulkfitprobulkIt depend really of your actual bf%. Optimal for begin à bulk is around 12% i think but it depend of each.
When you are running AAS you can also optimise your diet for limit water retention, Add some lean tissues and decrease a little your body fat.
AnonHow do you limit water retention on AAS with diet, like in a cut? I am looking to if there really is any big difference as bulking on cycle vs cutting. Is there a big body fat gained if doing for example a +300kcal bulk on cycle, this is still researching and getting to know other people's opinion from my standpoint