To be effective, a cutting cycle will still include working out (though with a greater emphasis on higher reps, lower weights, and cardio for higher calorie expenditure) and a caloric intake less than the combination of your basal metabolic caloric expenditure and caloric expenditure (courtesy of your workouts). The most effective cutting cycles are generally shorter than the most effective bulking cycles the best results are usually seen within an 8-12 week cutting period. Another key to effective bulking is ensuring that you’re doing the appropriate amount of heavy lifting to help the caloric increase in your diet go straight to muscle building. We’ll look at balancing your macronutrients to help limit that extra fat gain with clean eating, but you still have to be prepared to accept some fat gain. Some people have a hard time with the 5 lbs of fat they might gain along with 15-20 lbs of muscle, for instance. Where this can be difficult for some people is that even if you are incredibly on top of your macronutrients, you will likely also gain some fat while gaining muscle in a bulking cycle. Longer cycles can be more effective with a few caveats.įirst, the most effective bulking cycles are generally at least 3-4 months, if not longer. In general, you should expect to spend at least 4-6 weeks in any bulking or cutting cycle any less time makes it unlikely that you’ll see much in the way of results. The best answer for an ideal duration per cycle will vary with your goals. You might hear these durations referred to as bulking season or cutting season. How long should I spend bulking? How long should I spend cutting? If you already have substantial muscle mass, but your body fat percentage is higher than you'd like to see, cutting is a good starting point.įor most gym-goers and weightlifters, you’ll likely want to follow a pattern of bulking then cutting to progressively achieve your dream body. A bulking cycle is a great place to start if you don't have much muscle mass, and your body fat percentage is on the lower side. Where to start: bulking vs cutting?ĭeciding where to start depends on several factors, including your current body fat percentage, lean muscle mass, and short- and long-term goals. Bulking focuses on putting on weight and getting bigger whereas cutting focuses on getting lean and removing excess body fat to achieve better definition and tone. While both bulking and cutting are strategies for better definition, tone, and muscle mass, the difference between bulking and cutting tends to come down to your current priorities.