Although there is something to be said for a "bulking" phase in the first few years of a serious bodybuilding or strength gaining program, there is never a good reason to get overly fat in the process. And, while there needs to be an energy surplus to gain appreciable muscle size, especially in the long-term, it does not need to be huge. A couple hundred calories per day is sufficient to grow quite quickly.
In fact, most successful natural bodybuilders now rarely go more than 10 pound over their competitive body weight while working to gain more size in the off season. That 10 pounds also comes slowly as the energy surplus is ratcheted up over a period of weeks and months to facilitate new muscle growth.
The easiest way to gauge whether you're gaining too fast and putting on more fat than muscle, is to either consistently measure your waist, or easier still, just make sure your pants are not getting tighter. As a "rule of thumb" most folks who are already relatively lean, or display an "athletic physique, are gong to put about an inch on their waist for every 4 pounds of fat gain. 8 pounds is going to equal 2 inches and that should be your limit. Once you hit that, and that should take at least 3-6 months on a solid, well planned bulk, slowly cut back on the calories. Is just too hard to lean out and keep your muscle, naturally, if you go too high.
Unless you're playing offensive line, excess fat just does no good in either bodybuilding or sports and doesn't do your health any good either.
If your current gains are solid, and your waist is not growing appreciably, keep at it. Your gains seem to be outstanding, at this time.
In fact, most successful natural bodybuilders now rarely go more than 10 pound over their competitive body weight while working to gain more size in the off season. That 10 pounds also comes slowly as the energy surplus is ratcheted up over a period of weeks and months to facilitate new muscle growth.
The easiest way to gauge whether you're gaining too fast and putting on more fat than muscle, is to either consistently measure your waist, or easier still, just make sure your pants are not getting tighter. As a "rule of thumb" most folks who are already relatively lean, or display an "athletic physique, are gong to put about an inch on their waist for every 4 pounds of fat gain. 8 pounds is going to equal 2 inches and that should be your limit. Once you hit that, and that should take at least 3-6 months on a solid, well planned bulk, slowly cut back on the calories. Is just too hard to lean out and keep your muscle, naturally, if you go too high.
Unless you're playing offensive line, excess fat just does no good in either bodybuilding or sports and doesn't do your health any good either.
If your current gains are solid, and your waist is not growing appreciably, keep at it. Your gains seem to be outstanding, at this time.
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