View Full Version : 2 weeks bulking, 1 week cutting
TheFunKDrummer
06-03-08, 9:28 pm
I was wondering if anyone has experience using a diet plan in which you alternate 2 weeks bulking then 1 week cutting (or something similar). For bulking diet would have extra carbs to put you a certain amount of calories over maintenance, and for cutting the opposite. Never tried something like this but I was thinking the bulking would keep the metabolism high for the cutting week. I'm sure it depends from person to person but you could craft the bulking and cutting diets however you wanted. Anyone have experience or comments on the effectiveness something like this has?
Bigchrome
06-04-08, 5:27 am
Consider me interested in hearing someone's opinion on this too!
Natural bodybuilding pro Layne Norton advocates a 4-8 week bulk, then cutting for 2-3 weeks. From what I've gathered, his "base level" is a 4 week bulk and then cutting for 2 weeks, and only taking the bulk/cut longer if he feels like he should (for ex. if he gained too much fat on the bulk phase, he would add a few more days on his cut phase). The man knows what he is talking about. However, as you probably already know, everyone's body is different, so you have to find out what is best for you.. He talks about his bulking/cutting phases in detail in his video here:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/insidethelife5.htm
He will also talk a lil bit about the advantages of bulking/cutting phases (taking advantage of the elevated hormones that are related to metabolism)
Pretty good shit. He also has a stickied thread in the "Natty" section of musculardevelopment.com forums, where you can find more information.
http://forums.musculardevelopment.com/showthread.php?t=4226
IronWilson
06-04-08, 6:56 am
You could do what Layne Norton suggests I suppose. But, I wouldn't bulk for two weeks and cut for one, it seems too short for your body to "learn" to properly utilize the nutrients. But hey, what do I know? It's worth a try..... Maybe try it and see how it works for you.
I agree, a 2 week bulk and 1 week cut is too short
I agree that a 2 week bulk is too short especially if you are doing a clean bulk. You're going to gain 1-2 lbs. in that period so what are you really cutting since the intent is for most of that 1-2 pounds to be lean mass?
Cellerator65
06-04-08, 10:50 am
isnt that really just carb cycling?
TheFunKDrummer
06-04-08, 11:08 am
Natural bodybuilding pro Layne Norton advocates a 4-8 week bulk, then cutting for 2-3 weeks. From what I've gathered, his "base level" is a 4 week bulk and then cutting for 2 weeks, and only taking the bulk/cut longer if he feels like he should (for ex. if he gained too much fat on the bulk phase, he would add a few more days on his cut phase). The man knows what he is talking about. However, as you probably already know, everyone's body is different, so you have to find out what is best for you.. He talks about his bulking/cutting phases in detail in his video here:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/insidethelife5.htm
He will also talk a lil bit about the advantages of bulking/cutting phases (taking advantage of the elevated hormones that are related to metabolism)
Pretty good shit. He also has a stickied thread in the "Natty" section of musculardevelopment.com forums, where you can find more information.
http://forums.musculardevelopment.com/showthread.php?t=4226
Thanks for the response, this is some interesting stuff
TheFunKDrummer
06-04-08, 11:12 am
I agree that a 2 week bulk is too short especially if you are doing a clean bulk. You're going to gain 1-2 lbs. in that period so what are you really cutting since the intent is for most of that 1-2 pounds to be lean mass?
Ya it seems short to me as well. I'd think you'd probably have to gain more like 5 or 6 pounds with some fat, then cut out some of the fat after those 2 weeks. Just a different approach then a clean bulk going for a similar result. It probably just depends on how your body personally reacts to it. I was just interested to see if anyone here actually uses something like this.
AnabolicMass02
06-04-08, 12:09 pm
Short Bulk / Cut cycles can be effectively utilized to break a physical plateau. The quick change in lifting styles and weights utilized will help to spark new muscular growth. This may not be the best long term tactic to building a quality muscular base. Best of luck.
priority
06-04-08, 2:34 pm
I say its a very good idea for gaining lean mass. It is more along the lines of carb cycling, but you could do it a proper bulk where you eat everything in sight, and then half of that time eating very clean. I would say its not productive for a long term bodyfat reduction cut, but more appropriate method for clean bulking!
isnt that really just carb cycling?
Carb cycling is such a general term. But ain't carb cycling usually referred to cutting diets? And the carbs in those diets are cycled much more quickly, as in eating moderate carbs for 2 days or so, then going zero carbs for 2, then eatin carbs for 1 day, then going zero carbs again, and so on. This is Layne's bulking diet. He is also a man of science so he is very knowledgeable. But of course, as always, everyone's body is different.
Thanks for the response, this is some interesting stuff
No problem bro. Glad I could help
bigrhino
06-04-08, 5:22 pm
Short Bulk / Cut cycles can be effectively utilized to break a physical plateau. The quick change in lifting styles and weights utilized will help to spark new muscular growth. This may not be the best long term tactic to building a quality muscular base. Best of luck.
That is exactly what I was thinking.
h 3 L L b 0 y
06-05-08, 8:59 am
Hmm.. a 4 week bulk / 2 week cut sounds a little more interesting. Depends on how different people react to it i suppose. It is essentially a clean bulk..
mustgetbig
06-05-08, 9:32 am
how do yall think 3 weeks on keto then 6 weeks on ox's off season diet would work?
IronWilson
06-05-08, 2:40 pm
how do yall think 3 weeks on keto then 6 weeks on ox's off season diet would work?
Ehh.... I don't know about that one. You have to wait 2 weeks before your first cheat meal to make sure you are in strong ketosis. Then to reintroduce carbs a week later I would think would be kinda nuts, but hey I could be wrong. On keto, assuming you are cutting and not doing bulking CKD, you will be losing fat at a proper pacing.....Then reintroducing carbs a week later I think might be counterproductive. Just do keto for a period of time, then do ox's offseason diet. Again, I could be wrong.
mustgetbig
06-05-08, 2:45 pm
Ehh.... I don't know about that one. You have to wait 2 weeks before your first cheat meal to make sure you are in strong ketosis. Then to reintroduce carbs a week later I would think would be kinda nuts, but hey I could be wrong. On keto, assuming you are cutting and not doing bulking CKD, you will be losing fat at a proper pacing.....Then reintroducing carbs a week later I think might be counterproductive. Just do keto for a period of time, then do ox's offseason diet. Again, I could be wrong.
yea ive decided to go the full 16weeks on keto then bulk
I don't know how clean Layne eats, but he eats a shit load of carbs when bulking. If you watch the video, they also talk about how Layne gets kinda fat in the offseason. So this does not seem to really be a "clean" bulk.. besides, you can't dismiss the results.
Short Bulk / Cut cycles can be effectively utilized to break a physical plateau. The quick change in lifting styles and weights utilized will help to spark new muscular growth. This may not be the best long term tactic to building a quality muscular base. Best of luck.
but how much does your training really change on a cut opposed to a bulk? granted there is more cardio, but as far as the lifting of the weights, not much needs to change
gjn5002
06-05-08, 10:20 pm
but how much does your training really change on a cut opposed to a bulk? granted there is more cardio, but as far as the lifting of the weights, not much needs to change
just depends, when bulking i lift heavier with more rest and lower reps...powerbuidling if you will. When im cutting i do a low carb cycle and i lessen the weigth and raise the reps and do mosty supersets. You arent gonna gain size when you cut unless youre a freak so you dont need to pound huge weights, especially when carbs are low and you retain less water making the joints a little achy at times. Just my opinion