i,ve heard about bulking up, but what does it really mean.

[andypaul123]

I,ve heard about bulking up but what does it really mean. I always thought there was fat or muscle. so what does the *bulk* consist of.

[Boss Man]

Bulking up just mean muscle building basically.

There is such a thing called "dirty bulking", where you consume a lot of your calories from things like fatty Protein sources, or fatty carb sources, like roast potatos, or cake as examples, so you get a bit too much fat gain with your muscle.

[ultimatehlth]

Yup, Boss Man is right, body builders usually eat mass amounts of calories with the idea of gaining as much mass as possible, followed later by a cutting phase to get lean. The idea is that it is virtually impossible to lose fat and gain muscle at the same time. This sensibility is not entirely accurate though, particularly if you are new to resistance training. Over the years I have seen many of clients gain significant muscle while leaning out, though not to body builder levels.

[watkinsc]

Yep for the average mortal bulking up just means putting on muscle mass. As said, it is pretty hard - but is definitely possible, to put on muscle mass while getting lean. Easier to put on muscle mass without getting any fatter and then losing the fat.

[iliftheavy]

Bulking = eating above calorie maintance levels.. ie gaining weight.

[Packard]

I always understood that bulking up meant to add a lot of muscle mass, but not to worry about adding fat at the same time. The theory being that it is easier to add muscle mass (and fat) than it is to add lean muscle. And after gaining the weight diet to remove the excess fat.

This is usally done by taking in plenty of protein and also taking in plenty of calories--far more of both than is required to maintain your current body weight.

Personally I think this works, but the dieting part at the end is never as pleasant as eating all that Hagen Daz on the gaining side.

[Boss Man]

Haagen Das. Why sir, on a site like this, that's dirty talk and no mistake