I'm 20 yrs old. I lift to build lean muscle. I don't want to bulk up but just put on lean muscle.
This isn't directed toward you personally or specifically by any means, but I am confused why or how the ideology came about that mandated an exclusivity between bulking up and lean muscle accrual. I understand the terms have morphed into a sort of dichotomy of function, outlining the ambition to induce new muscle fiber without hypo-caloric intake bringing about a realized body fat percentage gain; but in my opinion there is no such thing as bulking up vs the lean gaining persuasion.
No human being is so genetically gifted or inclined to achieve such exaggerated conditions of anabolism (rare myostatin and protein regulating diseases/disorders aside) that they will be forced to outfit themselves with a new wardrobe after even an extended cycle of training and OTC supplement usage.
Bulking up is a misnomer in my perspective, because the entire faulty premise it is founded upon suggests that an athlete can either attain muscle slowly and steadily while keeping their glutes striated, or they can blow up and turn heads at the mall, while sacrificing their abs and exchanging them for an over-the-belt roll or two of hideous adipose accumulation.
The best approach toward sustainable and realistic body recomposition in an ongoing and progressive manner is to simply abide by the golden rule of consistency and tireless toil. There can be a very balanced hybrid methodology of hypertrophy constructed based on an individuals metabolic-determined caloric needs, but the lean bulk or 'bulk bulk' crowds need to recognize and come to terms with the fact continued appreciable improvements in musculature while retaining their lower row of abdominals is impossible without unthinkable anabolic assistance; just as the 'bulk upp'ers' need to face the truth that their MoA is nothing more than an excuse to inhale the pop tarts and stuffed crust pizza while doing a few obligatory squats and bench presses here and there.