Should You Cut Fat Before Bulking or Vice Versa?

Bulking and cutting are two cyclic phases that people do to achieve and maintain a desired physique. People who are new to fitness often wonder, “Should you cut first and then bulk, or bulk up before cutting?” Well, the answer to “whether to bulk or cut first”, actually differs depending on your current body type and fitness goals. Read on to know when to cut or bulk first.

When to Cut First?

Cutting is already hard, and if you’re carrying a lot of body fat, it’s going to suck even more. Therefore, experts recommend cutting fat off before bulking. For example, if you have higher than 15% fat (men) or 25% (women) then reducing body fat first will be more rewarding in your fitness journey. Doing so will help achieve more muscle definition, making your bulking phase more effective and providing you look more chiseled.

Benefits of Cutting Before Bulking

• As you cut fat with strength training, you’ll end up with some noob gains in the process, so, it’s a win-win!
• Losing body fat elevated testosterone levels in the body that made building muscles easy for you.
• Boosts metabolism helps you regulate hunger cues, and prepares your body to store more muscles than fat.

Additionally, you can supplement your cutting phase with t-booster tablets like ashwagandha, fenugreek, or shilajeet to increase muscle gains and support weight loss.

When to Bulk First?

If you’re skinny fat, i.e., with more fat and less muscles, cutting first may not provide you flattering results as you’re already low on muscles. This typically involves those who have been grossly underweight in the past and had trouble putting up weight. In these cases, bulking first is recommended. Remember, the key is to focus on clean bulking so you won’t end up gaining unhealthy amounts of fat but rather lean muscles.

Benefits of Bulking Before Cutting

• It helps increase muscle mass and enhances athletic performance.
• It boosts endurance and helps you achieve a more favourable pleasing physique.
• Consuming a diet rich in a balanced ratio of healthy carbs and protein will help sustain energy levels throughout the day and during your workouts.

To Sum Up

In a fitness journey, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Therefore, when you start your fitness journey and find yourself at a crossroads of choosing bulking or cutting first, think individually. Simply put, if you are already more on the bulkier side, letting go of excess fat is more desirable. If you’re low on muscle mass with only a considerable amount of fat, gain more lean mass before cutting and carving out muscular physique. Additionally, pair your bulk and cutting phase with healthy carbs and protein-rich diet along with supplements like fenugreek and shilajit, to increase muscle growth, strength, and stamina.