Lean Bulking Diets vs. Bloated Bulking Diets

Ok, so we all know how to determine you daily calorie intake if you would like to maintain a set amount of weight. (Weight in pounds x 15 = Amount of calories)

My question to the gurus out there is as follow:

It has been said that a person's body can only grow by x amount (3kg of muscle) per year. Why is it then that trainers design a bulking diet where the athlete's weight is about 15-20kg off his competition weight. PLUS, his fat percentage is like 19%??

This just seems like a big waste of food to me. Can't a person just up his maintenance calories at competition weight by 750-1000 and have a lean bulking diet?

My questions is, is it really necessary to bulk that much, or can you have a lean bulk diet and still make the same gains.

Clarity on this subject will be appreciated.

To further shed some light on the matter, lets use an imaginary athlete by the name of BOB:

BOB's competition weight is 165 pounds with 4% bodyfat.

BOB wants to gain the maximum amount of muscle, withou sacrificing his beach-ready body. BOB understands that he will have to bulk to gain this muscle, but does not undertstand why some trainers suggest a 5000 daily calorie intake to meet his goal.

Its really depends on what works for you. personally i wouldnt like to see my BF% go above 12% . but 2 things are certain-overbulking is counter productive and being 2 lean will hamper ur growth. Calories 12x for cutting/ 15x for lean mass and/ 18-20 for buliking on cycle. If ur training naturally I dont see the point going over 15 calories per pound-as always the universal rule od dieting must apply-how much you eat will detrimine how much you gain or lose, WHAT you eat will determine what you gain or lose. Macro and micro nutriant profile is super important

It’s a pretty tough question to answer as there are so many factors much like everything else in bodybuilding. You really have to see what works for you and how your own body can handle different scenario’s. I know guys who can eat sugar all day , white bread , what ever , and still have abs. Then Ive seen guys do 2 hours cardio a day contest diet and struggle to get below 10%.

Also the bigger you get the more you can put away with out getting fat don’t be shy to eat. If you want to be big you have to eat big , simple.

Don’t over calculate everything , learn how to read your own body… You belt is a good indication. If you go up a notch lighten up on the intake a little until your belt loosens up.

There is no need to allow you body fat to go over 12%... If you are trying to bulk up any your body fat is over 12% your heading in the wrong direction. Diet first get down nice and low. Then start adding clean calories and some simple carbs post work out.

The other factor is like MX said , is obviously drugs… A normal person is not in the same league as a chemically enhanced one. I love it when guys say “Ronnie eats chips pre contest” Or “Dexter eats what ever he want” sure they due they are not normal and use incrediable amounts of growth , gear , insulin. Take some slin and you would eat your mom if you ran out of food J

Anyway that’s just my thoughts. Mess around , see what works for you personally , try some different methods. Don’t get to anal about counting carbs and cal unless you want to win a show , enjoy what you do.

As always well said Kev (-,