Strength still turning up
So if you’ve never done a truly clean, slow bulk I’ve got great news for you- it’s worth every struggle, every bite of oats, rice, chicken egg whites etc. My strength is still coming up nicely, but my bodyweight progressing at a nice slow rate leaving me very happy with my "winter physique".
I’ve always been of the opinion that it was better to eat as many calories as possible from any sources during a bulk to really "add mass". Turns out 75% or more of what I was actually adding, instead of mass was "lard ass". This is not good and makes getting the abs in for spring and summer a truly difficult task. Not only does it make getting in beach body shape more difficult, but you also have to cut corners and sacrifice muscle mass on the way to leaness.
So how do I know I’m making good progress in gaining muscle you might ask? The answer is in my strength to weight ratio. Generally speaking I can squat double my body weight, whether my weight is below 220 (like it was during my last cutting phase) or 313 (my heaviest morning bodyweight). Although I’ve been capable of a 600lb squat in years past, it is hardly something to write home about when you are that heavy. Yesterday I was able to squat 2x my bodyweight for 3 reps, which is a definite pr as far as strength to weight ratio goes. I also surmise that I am capable of even more over the upcoming weeks. In other facets of my training, noteably my back training, I have been able to use more weight than I was capable of at my heaviest body weights. This suggests my back development is beyond what it was at 80lbs heavier bodyweight. All this thanks in part from eating lots of clean foods and taking a nice slow approach to adding bodyweight- 10-20 extra calories each and every day. Give it a try during your next bulk, but remember to keep the foods clean.
Can’t wait to diet down again! It’s getting easier each and every time!
November 11, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Im in a offseason phase right now. And eating high clean Calories is a must. It does make it easier when ur ready to shred.
November 11, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Hey man, we know what to do, but wanna bulk quickly, then have to work just as hard to cut. Thanks for pointing out the right way to bulk, eat smart, forget the empty calories, make em lean and pack it on little by little and stay nice and sharply ripped. Iron sharpens iron, so keep bringing it. Peace, Rich