would bulking and cutting over a longer period of time with obviously more body fat to lose be better for gains in the long term as opposed to shorter cycles??
Well...I rarely ever diet for more than 2 weeks. I haven't really dieted in years...lol. I increase my cardio and decrease my junk food when I diet mostly...and that works for my goals.
Remember this...if your short term goals don't fit into your long term goals...you need to re-think them.
My long term goals were to be huge...pro bodybuilder huge. If I diet, I prolong those goals.
Now...I want to be a pro strongman. If I diet, my strength goes down and I prolong meeting that goal...
IMO, let's say you want to look awesome @ 200 #, it is much more realistic, to bulk up to 230+, and diet down to a shredded
200 & maintain it, than it is to just work your way up to 200 &
maintain it.