im a workout novice.
so wanna hear opinions from veterans here..
is it necessary to bulk up DEN cut down?.. necesarry to go through this 2 phases to get a more dramatic result?
cause i dun want to spend time shredding off those fats i may put in when bulking up
anyway to gain muscle mass but at the same time, lose fat so that body will get more ripped?
thanks.

If I'm not mistaken, it is really hard and maybe impossible to build muscle and at the same time lose fat. You have to choose which is your priority first. If you are already overweight, it is advisable to cut first, then only bulk. Then repeat.

Its technically possible to do that,but you have to master your diet and routine to perfection,which is not easy!

so cut things short.. in order to make it easier... should bulk up den cut down?
my main worry is that i gain too much fat during the bulk up phase n unable to shred them off later..
thanks mates btw

im currently pondering this issue as well, but theoretically, it IS possible, not too sure how practical isit to do. check out this page
http://scoobysworkshop.com/gainingMuscle.htm

but i guess its easier to bulk up and gain some fat during the process, then lose it afterward. not sure if its true, but with the extra fat u gain, it increases your testosterone production which in turn helps in bulking of muscle? any comments from the pros?

Not pro but i kinda bulked then cut,max weight reached was 98kgs and now hovering around 85kgs!

It sure is easier to bulk than cut!

haha.. of course it's easier to bulk than cut
cutting phase is the part that worries me...
what do u do to cut? just do cardio without lifting? or minimal liftin?

Check my Journal!

Am lifting heavy,its mainly the diet!

I find it very hard to bulk and cut at the same time. Now, I'm bulking on working day and cutting or non working day. See how it works. If still cannot gain weight, I will bulk all the way. Cutting is the tough part. The food is expensive during bulk up. Also have to control your craving for carb during cutting ...

what's your stats ?? height weight ??
how would one bulk if he's fat ?? same goes to skinny ppl, what to cut ??
if you afraid of the fats, just do the clean bulk...

im 175 with 60 before decided to start bulking
been trying to bulk n cut at the same time for almost 1 yr not
not much difference. weight unchanged.
so decided to bulk only. cut later.

it's rather nearly impossible to do both...just bulk up...consume more calories, above your maintenance level...maybe 2500 - 3000 ?? make sure it comes mostly from protein...the rest will follow...it's all about calories bro...

If you're over fat >15% BF then cut.
If you're a skinny twig then bulk up first.

Bulk and cut at the same time or what most people call culking can be done but the results are disappointment and the effort is not worth the trouble.

You can look at Lyle mcdonald's Ultimate Diet 2.0 for a cyclic plan.

Dude........there's like maybe 10% of the world that's less than 15 % bf man....that's lean!

well 15% for seasoned gym rats is fat. Average joe on the street is around 20%.

The usual standard is cut till 8% then bulk up till about 15%.
Rinse repeat.

Natural bodybuilders on stage cut till 5-6% with shredded glutes to make up for their lack of size compared to roid monsters.
They keep within the 10-12% bodyfat zone all year round doing mini bulks and cuts - like Layne norton's 6 weeks bulk then 3 weeks cut protocol.

YMMV but thats how you'd roughly gauge imo.

I remember reading an article before which gives an example that bricks are your protein (the building block) and the calories are your cement. No matter how much protein you eat all will goes down the drain if you do not have enough calories to support it. So yeah don't worry about your 6pack if you have not achieved your desired muscle strength.

ya. thanks for all your info mates,
just realised that calories are as important as protein is..
killing myself by cutting down calories n drinking whey in the past but gained nothing.. urgh.. felt like i've wasted few tubes of whey in the past. dumbo me!.
hahah.. bulking stage now..n will try not to worry bout my abs.. cause though i've some weigh, i just cant help it but realised that im slowly losing my 6packs. hahah

wise man once said - you don't build muscles out of wishful thinking.

haha. well said..
infact, u get nothing in llife by wishful thinking..
it doesnt apply to bodybuilding only..

im in that category...before i start my weight training my bf 11% now 17% ...its really really hard to gain muscle and cut fats at the same time...unless youre very discipline person and watch what youre eating everytime...so bulk up till a stage where you think its enough and cut...but its not easy to bulk oso...my weight has hit a plateau can say no progress further...unless maybe i keep on eating more and more...?