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Am I ready to lean bulk

Please critique my physique and let me know if you think I'm ready to lean bulk!

berryw1993
berryw1993 g Wesley Berry
14 Post(s)
14 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Gain Muscle Date Joined: October 10, 2013
Posted

Hey everyone,

 

I've been weight lifitng for many years now and haven't made many gains besides muscle maturity. I was thinking about starting a lean bulk for the first time in 5 years!

 

Please critique my physique and let me know if I should lean down more or if I have the thumbs up. If I get a thumbs up to start lean bulking, I'll be sure to follow up with progess photos.

 

Current Stats:

 

Height: 6'2ish"

Weight: Around 175-178, I don't use a scale so I'm not exactly sure

Bodyfat: Based on the picture, I would say around 9-10%

 

FYI: THe mirror plays some tricks here I think. It makes me look bigger than I acutally am. But regardless, I feel like it's a pretty good benchmark.

 

jmboiardi
jmboiardi p John M Boiardi
2.6K Post(s)
2.6K Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: October 10, 2013
Posted
Posted By: berryw1993

Hey everyone,

 

I've been weight lifitng for many years now and haven't made many gains besides muscle maturity. I was thinking about starting a lean bulk for the first time in 5 years!

 

Please critique my physique and let me know if I should lean down more or if I have the thumbs up. If I get a thumbs up to start lean bulking, I'll be sure to follow up with progess photos.

 

Current Stats:

 

Height: 6'2ish"

Weight: Around 175-178, I don't use a scale so I'm not exactly sure

Bodyfat: Based on the picture, I would say around 9-10%

 

FYI: THe mirror plays some tricks here I think. It makes me look bigger than I acutally am. But regardless, I feel like it's a pretty good benchmark.

 

Wesley,

 

I think your physique looks fine and symmetrical now. I think you are more like 8% BF. If you leaned down to 5%, you could do a natural bodybuilding show in my opinion. Size and symmetry are far more elusive when you are natural versus chemically assisted. What I mean by that is we are so exposed to un-naturally large and lean physiques we are "programmed" to believe these are the ideal goals. Many times we have achieved the ideal size and shape already but just don't realize it because of this "distorted reality".

 

When I was younger, I was obsessed with getting bigger. I even experimented with anabolics for 4 years. The result was I did get bigger and stronger but I was not symmetrical and my body weight was too much for my frame. I didn't realize this fact until recently now that I am in my 50's. I am leaner and more symmetrical than I ever was now than when I was in my 20's and 30s. Because I have been training naturally for over 27 years, my body has developed "correctly" for my height and frame.

 

At 6'2", you are tall but if you look at natural bodybuilding champions from the past who were your height they competed at around 180Lbs at 7-8% BF. My point is you may already be at the right weight and mass now naturally and you can just continue doing what you are doing versus trying to bulk further.

 

John

34 years of lifting and nutritional experience and resident "old man" :-) MS Athlete and past Super Hermanite since 2013.
Scott_Herman
Scott_Herman a Scott Herman
7.1K Post(s)
7.1K Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: August 8, 2008
Posted
Posted By: jmboiardi

Wesley,

 

I think your physique looks fine and symmetrical now. I think you are more like 8% BF. If you leaned down to 5%, you could do a natural bodybuilding show in my opinion. Size and symmetry are far more elusive when you are natural versus chemically assisted. What I mean by that is we are so exposed to un-naturally large and lean physiques we are "programmed" to believe these are the ideal goals. Many times we have achieved the ideal size and shape already but just don't realize it because of this "distorted reality".

 

When I was younger, I was obsessed with getting bigger. I even experimented with anabolics for 4 years. The result was I did get bigger and stronger but I was not symmetrical and my body weight was too much for my frame. I didn't realize this fact until recently now that I am in my 50's. I am leaner and more symmetrical than I ever was now than when I was in my 20's and 30s. Because I have been training naturally for over 27 years, my body has developed "correctly" for my height and frame.

 

At 6'2", you are tall but if you look at natural bodybuilding champions from the past who were your height they competed at around 180Lbs at 7-8% BF. My point is you may already be at the right weight and mass now naturally and you can just continue doing what you are doing versus trying to bulk further.

 

John

Great response @jmboiardi

 

I would say if you want to really fill out your natural potential then you can definitely lean bulk. I think John is just trying to say don't expect to look like a juiced up dude, which is true.

 

But for your height, I bet we could get you to 200lbs solid.

 

We need to boost your macros and get your calories 500+ your daily maintenance.

 

What are your current macros?

 

BTW, looking great man!

Need 1 on 1 coaching? Send me a direct message to learn more!
berryw1993
berryw1993 g Wesley Berry
14 Post(s)
14 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Gain Muscle Date Joined: October 10, 2013
Posted

Thanks for the feedback @scott_herman and @jmboiardi ! I really appreciate it.

 

Scott, my current macros are around the following:

 

210 grams of protein

225 grams of carbohydrates

80 grams of fat. I average around 2,500 calories a day. I would guess my maintain is about 2800-3000, but I'd have to take a week and test those ranges out.

 

if I could one day reach 200lbs solid.. That would be a dream come true! My goal has always been 190 solid.

 

Do ou think 500 calories surplus is the right amount? Or should 250-300 be more appropriate?

 

Thanks again for the responses guys!!

berryw1993
berryw1993 g Wesley Berry
14 Post(s)
14 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Gain Muscle Date Joined: October 10, 2013
Posted

 

As promised, am updated phsyique. I did end up increasing my calories to around 2800-3100 any given day. Saw major strength increases.

 

Previous Now

Bench 260 285

Deadlift 275 335

Squat: improved reps of 225 from 2--->6

Standing shoulder press: 125x3 135x4

 

Overall, my weight has increased a couple of lbs. From 173-176. However, It looks as though I have lost some more body fat and my abs have gotten more defined.

 

I'm going to increase my caloreis to be around 3000-3300 on any given day and see what more progess I can make!

 

Scott_Herman
Scott_Herman a Scott Herman
7.1K Post(s)
7.1K Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: August 8, 2008
Posted
Posted By: berryw1993

 

As promised, am updated phsyique. I did end up increasing my calories to around 2800-3100 any given day. Saw major strength increases.

 

Previous Now

Bench 260 285

Deadlift 275 335

Squat: improved reps of 225 from 2--->6

Standing shoulder press: 125x3 135x4

 

Overall, my weight has increased a couple of lbs. From 173-176. However, It looks as though I have lost some more body fat and my abs have gotten more defined.

 

I'm going to increase my caloreis to be around 3000-3300 on any given day and see what more progess I can make!

 

Hell yeah man looking PHENOMINAL!!!! I am very proud of you man!

Have you tried my MONTH 2 workouts yet?

What do you think?

Need 1 on 1 coaching? Send me a direct message to learn more!
berryw1993
berryw1993 g Wesley Berry
14 Post(s)
14 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Gain Muscle Date Joined: October 10, 2013
Posted

Thanks a ton Scott! That means a lot coming from you. I actually have incorporated some of your workouts of the 12 week series! I have implemented you Leg A routine for my leg day. I love the 7, 7, 6, 4, 3 rep count! Will continue to encorporate some of these principles in other areas.

muscular strength
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