Better to cut the fat or bulk up first...

[glutenberg]

I've been trying to figure out what's the proper procedure or order (if there's one) for weightlifting. If the ultimate primary goal is to lose weight, would it be better to start off by cutting or would it be more beneficial in the long run to gain additional muscle mass through increased caloric intake and then cutting down from that point?

 

[TecHNooB]

Depends how fat you are to begin with

If you've never cut before I'd recommend doing that first so you get to know the process and gauge your own will power. Otherwise, eat up and lift hard!

 

[imported_Indohottie]

Is there a normal length to keep for a cut phase?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: Indohottie
Is there a normal length to keep for a cut phase?

As long as it takes to get down to what you think is an acceptable body fat %. It seems that the rate is about 1-1.5 pounds a week if you're doing it right (eating enough, exercising, keeping muscle mass).

 

[KoolDrew]

Depends where you're starting. IMO, most people (unless really overweight) would be better off gaining a bit of muscle first before cutting down.

EDIT - I just saw the subtitle. How overweight are you?

Is there a normal length to keep for a cut phase?

It depends how low you want to go. Most people set a low and a high. Say they cut until reaching 10% and bulk until 15%. Then cut back down to 10%. Trying to limit fat gain while bulking and limit LBM loss while cutting.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Tell us stats. Weight, height, age.

Unless you are obese, build muscle first, then cut.

 

[glutenberg]

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
Tell us stats. Weight, height, age.

Unless you are obese, build muscle first, then cut.

I'm 275, 6'2", and 24. Pre-College, I was about 195-200 and in pretty good shape as I was playing tennis competitively but couldn't make it at the UCLA level. Even then I had a good amount of fat tissue. I'm trying to get as lean as realistically possible with a complete overhaul of my lifestyle. The reason I asked this question was because I've been doing the Rippetoe Starting Strength routine for the past 2.5 weeks and it seems to be great but I have a hard time pushing up the bench press weights as it suggests (I can push the weights up on all the other exercises) and I wonder if it's because I'm trying to keep a caloric deficit.

Whatever the case, I figured I should get some advice from my fellow peers.

 

[tHa ShIzNiT]

Originally posted by: glutenberg

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
Tell us stats. Weight, height, age.

Unless you are obese, build muscle first, then cut.

I'm 275, 6'2", and 24. Pre-College, I was about 195-200 and in pretty good shape as I was playing tennis competitively but couldn't make it at the UCLA level. Even then I had a good amount of fat tissue. I'm trying to get as lean as realistically possible with a complete overhaul of my lifestyle. The reason I asked this question was because I've been doing the Rippetoe Starting Strength routine for the past 2.5 weeks and it seems to be great but I have a hard time pushing up the bench press weights as it suggests (I can push the weights up on all the other exercises) and I wonder if it's because I'm trying to keep a caloric deficit.

Whatever the case, I figured I should get some advice from my fellow peers.

Maybe this is dumb but...Why dont you just lift less on the bench press? Did you find some kind of guideline for how much weight you're supposed to put up on the Starting Strength routine? From what I read it seems like you just need to lift as much as you possibly can lift by starting with whatever you can do and moving up slowly. That is what I'm doing and I'd like to know otherwise if its incorrect.

 

[glutenberg]

Originally posted by: tHa ShIzNiT

Originally posted by: glutenberg

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
Tell us stats. Weight, height, age.

Unless you are obese, build muscle first, then cut.

I'm 275, 6'2", and 24. Pre-College, I was about 195-200 and in pretty good shape as I was playing tennis competitively but couldn't make it at the UCLA level. Even then I had a good amount of fat tissue. I'm trying to get as lean as realistically possible with a complete overhaul of my lifestyle. The reason I asked this question was because I've been doing the Rippetoe Starting Strength routine for the past 2.5 weeks and it seems to be great but I have a hard time pushing up the bench press weights as it suggests (I can push the weights up on all the other exercises) and I wonder if it's because I'm trying to keep a caloric deficit.

Whatever the case, I figured I should get some advice from my fellow peers.

Maybe this is dumb but...Why dont you just lift less on the bench press? Did you find some kind of guideline for how much weight you're supposed to put up on the Starting Strength routine? From what I read it seems like you just need to lift as much as you possibly can lift by starting with whatever you can do and moving up slowly. That is what I'm doing and I'd like to know otherwise if its incorrect.

Yea, that's more than fine for me. I was just worried that I'm not increasing at the pace of the guide so I wanted to find out if I'm doing something wrong and / or I should change my goal from losing the weight first to gaining mass to assist metabolism and then lose the weight.

 

[KoolDrew]

At 275 I would concentrate on losing fat first. Also, while in a calorie deficit it will be harder to make strength gains. So don't get discouraged. Do try to increase weights if you can though.

 

[glutenberg]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
At 275 I would concentrate on losing fat first. Also, while in a calorie deficit it will be harder to make strength gains. So don't get discouraged. Do try to increase weights if you can though.

Awesome. That's all I really needed. I just wanted to make sure that I'm not hurting my progression in the long run.

 

[skace]

Even if you do concentrate on losing weight first, don't let up on your workouts. They will keep your muscle in check while you try to get rid of that fat.

 

[TecHNooB]

Originally posted by: skace
Even if you do concentrate on losing weight first, don't let up on your workouts. They will keep your muscle in check while you try to get rid of that fat.

^ Dont forget this ^

 

[glutenberg]

Well, I guess the big question is since I'm trying to cut, would that mean progressing to heavier weights would be less likely since I'm not building muscle mass but just maintaining? Is it alright to just maintain or should I still try to push for gradual increases in the amount of weight used?

 

[MegaVovaN]

IMO push for weight. The fat will be (slowly?) replaced by muscle.

 

[KoolDrew]

Well, I guess the big question is since I'm trying to cut, would that mean progressing to heavier weights would be less likely since I'm not building muscle mass but just maintaining? Is it alright to just maintain or should I still try to push for gradual increases in the amount of weight used?

If you can increase weight, you should. It may be difficult due to the fact that you are cutting though. It largely depends on how long you've been lifting too though. If you're just starting out you should see quite a bit of strength gains, despite lack of significant muscle gain.

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
IMO push for weight. The fat will be (slowly?) replaced by muscle.

Fat can't turn into muscle. You have to lose the fat and gain muscle. Since both have different requirements (one requires a calorie surplus, while the other required a deficit.) So it's pretty much a waste of time trying to do both at the same time.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
IMO push for weight. The fat will be (slowly?) replaced by muscle.

Fat can't turn into muscle. You have to lose the fat and gain muscle. Since both have different requirements (one requires a calorie surplus, while the other required a deficit.) So it's pretty much a waste of time trying to do both at the same time.

Ah. Disregard my post then, I a noob and don't know what I'm talking about.

 

[paulxcook]

My advice is listen to KoolDrew.