What %BF do you stop bulking at? Personal Limits..

[clr18287]

Just wondering at what point you consider %BF increase too much. For example if you were at 9.5% @ 145lbs and bulked to 160 13%BF.. Would it be worth it? How much muscle do you expect to lose when cutting from 13% back down to 9.5% assuming you gained ~10lbs of muscle. All help is appreciated. Thanks-

 

[OCCFan023]

I typically gauge by mirror more than anything, but try tend to stay below 14-15% year round. As far as ratios go its hard to say but I think a pound of muscle for a pound of fat is not quality gains (which is what the 145 to 60 example is). 3-4 pounds of muscle mass a month (which is very solid gains) to 1-2 pounds of fat would be my extremely rough estimate of what I would hope to be achieving while bulking.

 

[Steveoph]

I would say 15. However after being sick for 2 weeks, I'd say I jumped up to about 17 or so. Starting the morning cardio, will take about 2-3 weeks to get to 13-14.

 

[jminis]

I'd say with the help of 10 or 20% CA would help tremendously

15% is the highest I'd go.

 

[BoyFromAus]

I'm still not a bulker.. i'm losing fat (despite a bulking mini cycle) but i'd say 14%.

in addition to this question, i wana ask...
is there a link between increased body fat levels and decreased testosterone levels?
i.e if you have more bodyfat, does it inhibit your testosterone production?

 

[dedlifter1]

i cut from 210, about 15%, to 188 about8-9%. now i have bulked back up to currently 217lbs 12-13%. looking to get to225. as long as i stay below 15-16, but mirror gauge is best way imo. i do a dirty bulk, and grdually clean it up as i acheive goal. your bf increase at only like 15lbs seems a bit much. i have put on almost 29 lbs and only about 5-6%. hope that helps!