Easier to build muscles when leaner or bulkier?

**Blackmambar** · 03-01-2013, 02:32 AM

Hi again all,

I'm kinda working on this theory - I'm trying to do a cut at full force using the CK diet (as well as weight training and cardio).
My reasoning behind it is I feel that it's probably easier and more efficient to put on muscle while at a very low BF% because I guess being leaner means your body requires less calories, therefor to keep your calorie intake at a surplus will be much easier as opposed to being bulkier and trying to maintain a surplus.
I guess the other obvious reason is when your bulkier you will be putting on extra fat and you will keep putting on more fat.

Any opinions on this?
Once lean can you maintain leanness and build muscle do you think?
Any opinions on the CK (Cyclic Ketogenic) diet? i.e no sugar/carbs at all but once a week I cheat.

Thanks heaps.

**Turkish Juicer** · 03-02-2013, 03:48 AM

You won't be able to build lean muscle tissue without providing an environment for it in which caloric surplus is the case.

Although it is true that a leaner body requires less calories, you must take this fact into consideration before making a vital mistake: muscle mass requires about 3 times the energy in order to function and survive compared to fat mass.

CK works for some, doesn't work for many.

Carb cycling, on the other hand, is a significantly less tormenting (physically & psychologically) and often a more beneficial nutritional model when it comes to building and/or maintaining lean mass and loose BF% at the same time.

**Blackmambar** · 03-02-2013, 04:03 AM

Hey buddy - Thanks for the info...

Carb cycling, could you give us a quick run down, or should i just google it?

**kronik420** · 03-02-2013, 04:44 AM

Originally Posted by Blackmambar

Hey buddy - Thanks for the info...

Carb cycling, could you give us a quick run down, or should i just google it?

there's no one way to carb cycle, like with anything you will need to go through trial and error, and see what works best for you

you could start off at say, 3 days high carbs, then 1-2 days low-moderate, or any variation you wish to try..

when im bulking, i just go high carb on my workout days (usually monday-friday), then low carbs on days off (usually saturday and sunday), i seem to gain too much fat if i go for just straight 24/7 high carb...

**Blackmambar** · 03-02-2013, 06:51 AM

interesting... i'll check it out...

**cj111** · 03-02-2013, 09:39 AM

I guess being leaner means your body requires less calories

A 150lb man at 10% bf, or a 180lb man at 20% bf, if they both have the same muscle, they both need the same amount of calories per say...
That's a crude example I'm sure the math doesn't work out but you get the idea..
Just cause you are "fat" doesn't mean you need to eat more!

**Blackmambar** · 03-02-2013, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by cj111

A 150lb man at 10% bf, or a 180lb man at 20% bf, if they both have the same muscle, they both need the same amount of calories per say...
That's a crude example I'm sure the math doesn't work out but you get the idea..
Just cause you are "fat" doesn't mean you need to eat more!

Even if you are trying to build muscle? Thought you had to be at a surplus?

**cj111** · 03-02-2013, 11:18 PM

A surplus above your lbm, not your total fat mass...
How do you think people get so fat?
They have no muscle, and just keep eating high calories

**Armykid93** · 03-02-2013, 11:19 PM

Leaner since your in general gonna be more anabolic with less bf.

**Shredded@30** · 03-02-2013, 11:22 PM

I can't find the link. But just read an article on this exact thing. I talked about how it was easier for leaner individuals to build muscle than fatter ones. Something about the body was better able to deliver the proper nutrients to the muscles quicker....wish I could find the link. I'll post it if I do.

**Blackmambar** · 03-03-2013, 02:06 AM

Originally Posted by Shredded@30

I can't find the link. But just read an article on this exact thing. I talked about how it was easier for leaner individuals to build muscle than fatter ones. Something about the body was better able to deliver the proper nutrients to the muscles quicker....wish I could find the link. I'll post it if I do.

Please do if you manage to find it!

**Blackmambar** · 03-03-2013, 02:08 AM

Originally Posted by cj111

A surplus above your lbm, not your total fat mass...
How do you think people get so fat?
They have no muscle, and just keep eating high calories

Its just that you always hear 'you should be eating X amount of protein per pound of body weight' etc...

**Turkish Juicer** · 03-03-2013, 03:41 AM

Originally Posted by Blackmambar

Its just that you always hear 'you should be eating X amount of protein per pound of body weight' etc...

Not on this board.

When we give advice regarding daily protein consumption, we make sure it is 1.5-2gr per lbs of LBM.

**Turkish Juicer** · 03-03-2013, 03:42 AM

Originally Posted by Blackmambar

Please do if you manage to find it!

Don't need an article for this.

Leaner men tend to have a higher testosterone to estrogen ratio, which is why they happen to build lean muscle tissue better and/or more quickly compared to the fatties.

**Blackmambar** · 03-03-2013, 06:36 AM

Then I shall continue my cutting mission until completed...

Thanks for the info

**Armykid93** · 03-03-2013, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Turkish Juicer

Don't need an article for this.

Leaner men tend to have a higher testosterone to estrogen ratio, which is why they happen to build lean muscle tissue better and/or more quickly compared to the fatties.

This is what I meant lol