To strive for a perfect physique can be the most daunting task of all…
Interestingly, the debate over bulking vs cutting is usually the most difficult decision when trying to attain your ideal shape.
While some want to just lose weight, others might want to build a heavy, toned, muscular physique.
Here, we introduce you to the concept of bulking vs cutting!!
People who focus more on losing weight, for whom shredding fat is more important than building muscles, focus more on a calorie-deficit diet. The process of losing weight instead of bulking up muscles is called cutting.
Bulking, on the other hand, is like the other side of the same coin.
Like, cutting, this is a workout routine dedicated to building up that muscular body (like bodybuilders).
Therefore, it’s more focused on eating a healthy protein-rich diet so that you can gain weight and build muscles in the place of extra fat.
This can be confusing at times. People might wonder whether they need to bulk or cut.
What you need, when you need it, and how to fulfill your dream of the perfect body are some questions you might be pondering over as well.
Well, this blog will offer you a comprehensive study on bulking vs shredding.
We’ll give you all the information you need when you’re trying to achieve the shape you have always admired.
First, let’s start with a more detailed definition of bulking and cutting separately so that we can draw a line for a better evaluation of bulking vs cutting later on.
What is Bulking?
Bulking basically refers to the strategy of working out in order to have that bulky figure like many bodybuilders and gym trainers.
People, instead of cutting calories, eat more in this case.
The basic features of bulking include:
- Calorie Surplus
- Weight gain
- Muscle gain
- High-intensity resistance training workout plans
- Fat gain
Types of Bulking
There are various types of bulk routines people follow according to their needs, depending on if they are a beginner or on a more advanced level.
Let us discuss the different types of bulking routines:
- Clean Bulk – Eating a healthy diet including foods that are good for your health.
- Dirty bulk – When you eat anything you like, including processed food.
- Lean bulk – Eating to provide the minimum basic energy requirements to bulk up muscle.
- Slow bulk – Slowly and gradually increase the intensity of bulking up muscle.
- Fast bulk – Eating and working out rapidly and for longer periods in order to gain muscle and the physique you want fast. Many bodybuilders also prefer to use a legal steroid alternative to get results safely.
This was all about what bulking overall means. Let us now get on with a short description of cutting.
What is Cutting?
When someone focuses more on losing those fat muscles and weight, they focus on cutting calories.
That is what cutting is all about on its own when it comes to bulking vs cutting.
The basic features of cutting might include:
- Calorie deficit
- Weight loss
- Maintaining muscle balance in the body
- Cardio and mild high-intensity workout
- An overall decrease in fat and control in lipid rate
This is what cutting means when it comes to working out.
Cutting and bulking both, ultimately, aim at keeping your body in good shape.
Therefore, even though it might seem the opposite, they are actually the sides of the same coin.
You can look for bulking vs cutting pictures for a more insightful study of the results.
It is not easy to figure out what your workout plan should be according to your body.
Therefore, in the next section of the blog, we actually discuss the workout plans for, cutting and bulking individually.
Bulking and Cutting Workout Plan
Even though both of them lead to the same results of a ripped body with less fat, the workout targeting the individual motives for both is different.
Therefore, it is necessary that you know which exercise might help you in cutting and which might help you to bulk.
#1. Bulking Workout Plan
When bulking is your main motive, it is advisable to work more on strength training workout routines.
This majorly includes more weight lifting and less cardio.
The ultimate motive of bulking is to grow muscles and develop muscle strength. Therefore, weight lifting is the key when bulking is the main concern.
When you are focusing on bulking, you are free to eat a protein-rich diet.
Therefore, you are bound to gain fat. Use those fat muscles to your advantage. Utilize them and lift heavyweights.
In fact, it is easier to build up a good, muscular body when there are more fat muscles to burn.
However, one thing must be noted—you are to concentrate more on weightlifting.
This doesn’t imply that you should give up cardio completely.
In fact, it would be suggested to spend at least 30 minutes on cardio before weight lifting.
It is preferable if you can do HIIT workout routines.
These HIIT and cardio workouts will help you in minimizing fat gain, and when combined with weight lifting, they will provide you with all the muscle gain you want.
#2. Cutting Workout Plan
Unlike bulking, cutting focuses more on cardio workouts.
Since you aim more at losing fat, you will have to spend more time burning fat.
The best way to burn fat is to do cardio or follow HIIT workout routines.
You need to build your cardio routine while minimizing weight lifting.
Pick lighter loads and do more sets on days you weight lift. Keep your lifting days close to three.
It is preferable to focus more on a HIIT workout.
The reasons why you should prefer HIIT workout over normal cardio are:
- You will obviously burn more calories.
- It increases your resting metabolic rate.
- You will need less time to work out.
This was all about the workout plan you should focus on according to what you need.
Everyone’s needs differ, according to their metabolism, their figure, and even their genes.
Therefore, focus on what you think is right for you. All that matters is you are consistent and determined in your workouts.
To support your workouts, you can also take a supplement tailor-made to boost muscle mass.
Bulking and Cutting Diet
As said before, when getting in shape is concerned, diet is equally important.
Therefore, according to your workout, you need to consume or restrain yourself from particular food groups.
Therefore, let us dive into a diet plan you need to consider while bulking and cutting.
#1. Bulking Diet Plan
The diet plan for bulking might be divided into two segments.
Firstly, the food you should have and in good quantity, and, secondly, the food you must avoid at any cost.
Foods to Eat for Bulking
- Protein: Beef, turkey, pork, eggs, tofu, cheese, and yogurt.
- Healthy fat: Nuts, avocado, and olive oil.
- Legumes: Kidney beans, and Chickpea.
- Fruits: Apple, oranges, and bananas
- Carbohydrates of high quality: Rice, oats, and cereals.
- No starch vegetables: Onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, and carrots.
- Veggies: Broccoli, Spinach, cauliflowers, and Brussels.
- Beverages: Water, tea, coffee, fruit juice with no added preservatives or synthetics.
Foods to Avoid for Bulking
- Processed foods: Fries and ice cream.
- Junk foods: Chips, cookies, and wafers.
- Soft drinks: Sugary drinks and cold drinks.
READ MORE: Foods to Avoid When Building Muscle
#2. Cutting Diet Plan
Like bulking, this one is also segmented into what you should have and what you should avoid.
For cutting, you must concentrate more on a calorie-deficit diet.
Therefore, even if working out is necessary, diet is equally necessary in this case.
Foods to Eat for Cutting
- Protein: White egg, turkey, pork, meat substitutes, and low-fat cheese.
- Limited healthy fats: Nuts, avocado, and seeds.
- Legumes: Kidney beans and chickpeas.
- Carbohydrates: Brown rice, potatoes, and rice.
- Fruits: Watermelon, pears, and kiwi.
- Veggies: Brussels, sprouts, mushrooms, and onions.
- Beverages: Water, tea, and coffee with no sugar (avoid sugary drinks).
Foods to Avoid for Cutting
- High-calorie food: Pizza, burgers, fast food, and pasta.
- Sugary beverages: Cold drinks, soft drinks, and fruit juices.
- Processed food: Packed meals with synthetics.
This was all about the diet you should keep in mind when you are either bulking or cutting, accordingly.
Remember that you must eat a basic minimum of the nutrition your body needs.
Completely avoiding food or eating whatever you want and then exercising, both are detrimental to one’s health.
Therefore, maintaining a balance is necessary.
You can check the calorie intake or burn needed for bulking or cutting diet plan according to your figure on any bulk or cut calculator available online.
Unfortunately, natural foods are not always enough to make you witness desirable results. Sometimes, your body needs additional help to boost the process and end results.
When it comes to bulking and cutting, you may find many health supplements that claim to help you achieve jaw-dropping results.
Bulking vs Cutting [Final Evaluation]
Bulking and cutting both are needed in balance for your body, whatever your goal is.
There are certain advantages to bulking and cutting, however, there are disadvantages as well.
Therefore, you must know everything about cutting and bulking and then decide what you want to focus on.
Benefits of Bulking
- Increases muscle growth and strength.
- Amplifies the bone density.
- Increases the rate at which muscles recover.
- Helps in augmenting sexual desire.
Disadvantages of Bulking
- Can gain extra fat muscles than needed.
- Can disturb blood levels in the body.
- Might result in decreased athletic performance.
- You might feel tired or numb.
- Might decrease the sensitivity to insulin.
Benefits of Cutting
- Encourage weight loss.
- Amplify blood levels in your body.
- You might feel more athletic.
- Improves muscles.
Disadvantages of Cutting
- Can decrease your sexual desire or libido.
- Excessive muscle loss can be one disadvantage.
- Might result in insomnia.
- It might decrease your bone density.
- You may feel hungry regularly.
Hence, this was all about the pros and cons of bulking and cutting.
You must consider every aspect before you actually start any of the routines.
You can look at bulking vs cutting Reddit reviews for a more detailed understanding.
Now, you might have some questions regarding bulking and cutting.
The next section of the blog is dedicated to some of the frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Check out these Q&As before you jump in and start a routine for bulking or cutting.
In Conclusion
What matters ultimately is you stick to your routine and be consistent.
If you work out hard enough and stay determined, you will get the body you have always admired.
The most crucial steps are planning your diet and workout routine.
Add a supplement to your diet if you want fast results.
It is advised that you do not give up, keep up with your routine, and you will definitely get effective and beneficial results.
Have any more tips for bulking and cutting? Do share it down below with other readers.