When to cut for maximum gains

[RyanBroo]

I'm 16 years old, weight 185 pounds and am 6'1. I began working out, around 4 months ago seriously but over a year in training, with a continuous calorie surplus (Bulk). I gained a few pounds of muscle in that time frame and began to bench my body weight, squat 1.5x my BW, and overall pack on muscle. My current goal is to build muscle mass and look huge, but I'm wondering if I should start to cut as I have put on some fat and had fat to start with. I would like to cut so I have a nice body for summer but would that seriously interfere with my goal of building mass/strength? So do you guys think I should cut now or continue to bulk? Lastly, If I cut to a lower BF% would it be harder to gain strength then how I am now? Thanks in advance as I know you guys are great, Ryan

[WSC786]

Hey man, welcome to the board...although I beleive technically your to young to be a member...lol
The decision to bulk or cut is completely up to you. There are still a lot of questions to be answered. what is your current BF%?? At 6'1" and 185lbs you cant be to fat. What does your current diet look like? It would be nice to post that so we can have a look. Also maybe posting a pic would give us a better indication of where you are and maybe help with the BF% question.
Your goal of "building mass/strength" isn't going to happen overnight. It takes time and dedication. But your starting off in the right place so good on you for that.
Once you decide what you want to do, then we can help until then not much we can do.

Good Luck

[--->>405<<---]

Agree with wsc but i also think if ur 14% or higher now woukd be a good time to cut.. And also u do have to be 18 to be a member on here so u mite not be around long..

Need ur bf% and current diet..

[RyanBroo]

I realized I had to be eighteen but proceeded anyways due to the fact you guys have the biggest and more fundamental community forum. Anyways Im at 16% Body fat and I included what my goal was to help aid you guys in the answer of if I should cut with that in mind. Thanks for all the answers so far, but please answer the OP. Thanks

[--->>405<<---]

Cutting will prob hinder ur goal of strength gain.. However only as long as ur cutting.. At 16%bf id suggest definitely cutting down to 10-12% before continuing with ur strength goals.. Esp if fat is an issue For u and ur not trying to be a powerlifter.. Those guys tend to carry more fat.. ultimately its ur decision but 16% and im cutting for sure!

[RyanBroo]

Cutting will prob hinder ur goal of strength gain.. However only as long as ur cutting.. At 16%bf id suggest definitely cutting down to 10-12% before continuing with ur strength goals.. Esp if fat is an issue For u and ur not trying to be a powerlifter.. Those guys tend to carry more fat.. ultimately its ur decision but 16% and im cutting for sure!

Thanks for the advice! I'm just wondering if my goal would be achieved better if I bulked all summer and winter again, then cut for next summer or if It wouldn't make much of a difference? Also would I gain the strength at the same rate if I was at a lower BF%?

[WSC786]

Thanks for the advice! I'm just wondering if my goal would be achieved better if I bulked all summer and winter again, then cut for next summer or if It wouldn't make much of a difference? Also would I gain the strength at the same rate if I was at a lower BF%?

I wouldn't recommend bulking through the summer and winter and cutting for next summer..lol. If you think you have some extra bodyfat on now imagine what that would be like if you ate a surplus of calories for the next year. Not a good idea.
Like I said before this process is slow. You bulk....then cut...then repeat. Guys don't typically bulk until they are as big as they want to be and then cut and instantly have the body, shape and composition they want.
I would recommend cutting at this point. Read through the sticky within the nutrition section, Diet 101...etc. Figure out your TDEE and come back with some kind of a cutting diet and then we can help with that.

[--->>405<<---]

Thanks for the advice! I'm just wondering if my goal would be achieved better if I bulked all summer and winter again,SHORT ANSWER..NO then cut for next summer or if It wouldn't make much of a difference? Also would I gain the strength at the same rate if I was at a lower BF%?

strength gains are made through diet and workout NOT BODYFAT!! GET RID OF IT!

[gbrice75]

Let's make this easy: Post up some current pics of yourself, and I can tell you what I'd do if I were you. At that point, you can take my advice or leave it as all our goals are different.

PS - if you're cutting properly, it will most definitely hinder if not all together stop muscle gain. You can't have the best of both worlds, at least not at the exact same time!