Arrgh, I can't even decide to cut or bulk!

[Madd Hatter]

Well, the deal is this: I'm 6'2", 168lbs, 11.17% body fat. The fat is ALL in my gut, it's huge. My arms are completely scrawny. My biceps are probably about 11in, and my wrists are smaller than my girlfriends. My only goal really is to look better... much better, so my gf can stand to look at me....or other women too j/k. I want to get rid of my gut, but at the same time add some mass to my arms/chest. I was thinking maybe I'd do neither cut or bulk, just eat decently, lots of protein, no cardio? So far I'm only getting 100-120g of protein, and it's almost all in shakes/bars. But that's about twice as much as I was getting before I started working out.

I've recently started doing workout splits, and I'm paranoid that I'm not hitting everything well enough. For example, when I do tris/chest, my tris are sore afterwards (mildly), but I feel nothing in my chest, and when I do all other muscle groups, I feel nothing afterwards. So far on a 3-day split each group is getting hit 1- 1.5x a week. I'd appreciate any help anyone can give.

 

[Bigsatan13]

How long have you been training? If your looking to see muscle you are going to have to build it then uncover it. Try a bulking workout, it's winter time anyway. You are going to have to break down your diet to every calorie and increase it accordingly. I would also recommend traing each bodypart once a week at the 10 -8 -6 rep range, increasing the weight each set. Be consistant with your diet and training and you'll see results. Train for yourself and you will be satisfied with your results!

 

[Benzi]

Well, the deal is this: I'm 6'2", 168lbs, 11.17% body fat. The fat is ALL in my gut, it's huge. My arms are completely scrawny. My biceps are probably about 11in, and my wrists are smaller than my girlfriends. My only goal really is to look better... much better, so my gf can stand to look at me....or other women too j/k. I want to get rid of my gut, but at the same time add some mass to my arms/chest. I was thinking maybe I'd do neither cut or bulk, just eat decently, lots of protein, no cardio? So far I'm only getting 100-120g of protein, and it's almost all in shakes/bars. But that's about twice as much as I was getting before I started working out.

I've recently started doing workout splits, and I'm paranoid that I'm not hitting everything well enough. For example, when I do tris/chest, my tris are sore afterwards (mildly), but I feel nothing in my chest, and when I do all other muscle groups, I feel nothing afterwards. So far on a 3-day split each group is getting hit 1- 1.5x a week. I'd appreciate any help anyone can give.

______________________________
Go on a 5 day split, take in more protein (every 4 hours), use the hit technique (4-6reps, 7 sets small muscle group and 9 seta large) High intensity is key to build mass along with a good diet. Do you need diet advice?
Anyway, bulk than cut… Have you considered using AS? OTC sups?

 

[maxellyz]

I think U should definitely bulk, just start eating more and train harder, eat "good" foods, rice, pasta, chicken, meat, etc. and train 4-5 times a week do 1 - 2 bodyparts per day. like:

day 1: chest
day 2: biceps, forearms
day 3: legs, abs
day 4: back
day 5:shoulders, triceps, Traps

something like that, also if you have the time try to do cardio 1- 2 times a week. like benzi said high intensity is the key, so keep the reps at about 6 and rest no longer than 1 - 1 1/2 min on smaller muscle groups and 1 1/2 - 2 mins on larger muscle groups..

Good Luck

 

[GRIMMER]

The more muscle you have the more calories your going to burn daily so bulk up first for 4-6 months. Bigger muscles will ofset the size of your gut and take the attention away from it also. Then once you have gotten bigger it will be easier to cut up and you will actualy have muscle to cut up. Good luck

 

[Madd Hatter]

Thank you for the replies, bulk it is, or I'll try at least. Would it be better if I got more of my protein from real food instead of bars/shakes? When I hear of some guys bulking, it sounds to me like they eat everything and ANYthing (including cookies, ice cream, all kinds of stuff that's "bad" for you). I'm not against supplements, but have so far stayed away because I'm not sure what I should use. Creatine is costly, and I worry about not working enough for it to do any good and not getting enough water. I worried about Hydroxycut hurting what little muscle growth I may get. But if anyone has any ideas on the topic, I'm listening.

I may have time for a "cardio day" (full-court basketball or racquetball or something). This week I found out I CAN get to the gym 5 days a week, but I don't know if I can keep it up for long, maybe I'll try to do a 5-day split. I would ask about sets/reps, but frankly, I do as many sets as I can get in on the chosen body parts, and I'm pretty sure I'm not overtraining (undertraining being my concern).

 

[Thaibox]

Bulk bro
I'm 6'2" also, and 245 and I still feel small, so put on the muscle, then unbury it. I know how tough it is for guys our height to grow, but just up your protein, drink water like its air, sleep, and at least take a multi-vitamin.

Some may disagree with me, but try doing heavy compound stuff for a while. When I started deadlifting, squatting, etc, is when my body really began to grow well. Don't waste your time doing isolation movements. Stick around the boards. Get ideas from all the bros, and you'll eventually find what works for you. Happy growing and good luck

 

[Benzi]

Bulk Bul Bulk
I'm 5'6, 300lbs and it still feel like a wimp... definitely kidding.
145, and bulking baby

 

[thx9000]

Yes definitely REAL food. I drink two of MQ's Triple Threat Chocolate shakes (there's a plug!) each day. They're Great! But, they're a supplement. They're not FOOD. There's something about quality proteins from four legged furry creatures that just cant be beat.

I tried all knids of shit to loose fat and bulk up. The quickest (for me) was just straight bulking (ie: eat everything). But adding mass and loosing fat was possible too, just slower on both counts. The things that helped me the most were: eat small meals every 2 to 3 hours; protein 65%, complex carbs 20%, fat 15% with most of the carbs earlier in the day; oh and tons of water...

Oh and one other thing...This will seem strange...Work the BIG muscle groups HARD. Especially the LEGS!! For some reason once I started busting my ass on squats, split squats, lunges, etc the rest of my body just followed right along. A buddy of mine told me it was the best natural way to create an "anabolic environment" not sure he was right about the reasoning, but it worked.

 

[The mann]

all good advice.............bulk!!!!!!!!