What max bodyfat % should you bulk to?

[Mike_Rojas]

What is a good rule of thumb for bulking? I think I'm about 15% right now. It sure is easier to build muscle and fat together, I'm just not sure how far I should take it.

 

[IronLion]

well I would say 15 is about the point where you will start to sacrifice flexability and a little explosiveness, some may disagree though. Really it depends on your long term goals. BTW judging by your recent pics you looked like you were 12-13 percent.

 

[sk*]

I think it depends on your goals. I have gone as high as 20s before, but it became too hard to even breath for me. I'm gonna stay under 15% from now on.

I notice that if I am under 8% than I become very fast in sports, and lose speed around 12%.

-sk

 

[spatts]

I used to try to stay at 15%, but I realized I was really bad at it.

18% is doable for me though...

 

[Debaser]

15-16% IMO.

 

[Mike_Rojas]

Thanks for the replies. As far as my goals - I would like to be 250 with 10-12% bodyfat and strength to match. This morning I weighed in at 211 - my height is 5 foot 11.5 inches.

 

[casualbb]

I guess that depends on where you're comfortable "sitting," ie your setpoint. If you're a guy who can, without thinking, maintain at 8-10%, then I'd say you'd generally want to be leaner because to get lean won't require effort to the point that you lose muscle.

But if you're naturally pudgy, I'd shift the range higher because you'll more muscle with the fat when cutting at low BF ranges. So it's basically related to how much your body likes fat and won't let go of it when cutting.

 

[Mike_Rojas]

Thanks casual

 

[ffknight84]

well I would say 15 is about the point where you will start to sacrifice flexability and a little explosiveness, some may disagree though. Really it depends on your long term goals. BTW judging by your recent pics you looked like you were 12-13 percent.

id def have to agree with this, since ive dropped weight my explosive exercises have gone through the roof. power cleans, my previous max was 205, i easily rep it now...

 

[Deleted member 33117]

I'm beginning to think one should try to stay as lean as possible when bulking. Honestly, what is to be gained by eating junk food that contributes to fat gain and not muscle gains, or just by eating so many calories that you are gaining a ibs of fat a week. Does gaining bodyfat really contribute to gaining lbm that much? Why not try to stay under 10% year round?