I’ve read a few articles that made a point that for maximum muscle gain i need to split cutting fat and building muscle into two phases
up to now, i’ve just been eating alot of protein), lifting heavy 3 days of the week, and doing cardio on my off days
I’ve experienced strength gains and my arms feel harder
yet on the scale, no weight gain. at all.

I surmise this is because i’ve gained muscle and lost fat, yet articles point out that is a very inefficient way of doing things
anoop, should I change my normal schedule so i can build more muscle?

I’ve read a few articles that made a point that for maximum muscle gain i need to split cutting fat and building muscle into two phases
up to now, i’ve just been eating alot of protein), lifting heavy 3 days of the week, and doing cardio on my off days
I’ve experienced strength gains and my arms feel harder
yet on the scale, no weight gain. at all.I surmise this is because i’ve gained muscle and lost fat, yet articles point out that is a very inefficient way of doing things
anoop, should I change my normal schedule so i can build more muscle?

Hi Mumford,

It could very well be you are gaining muscle and losing fat. Or your strength gains are just neural adaptations (nervous system adaptations). That said, if you are gaining strength, you can be rest assured you might be adding some muscle too.

Coming back your question of maximum muscle, in order to gain muscle, your body needs be in an anabolic phase. As you take in calories, some will go to the muscle and some to fat. The percentage of calories going to muscle or fat cells will depend on factors like insulin resistance, hormonal milieu and so on. But to an extent or theoretically, the more calories you eat, more calories will go into muscle (and fat). So if you are trying to gain maximum muscle or strength -  the more you eat, the better.

That said, part of calories will end in your fat cells too. And that’s the flip side of bulking. And that’s the reason why powerlifters and bodybuilders in the off season looks so fat. But if you cut back on your calories to gain less fat , you are invariably cutting calories to your muscle too. That’s the trade off.

For a natural, it is better not to bulk up too much. Your muscle gains will slow down once you hit a certain body fat due to increase in insulin resistance. And even if you gain a lot of muscle doing a pure bulk, you might lose most of it when you cut down. For someone who is chemically assisted, they never have to worry about both the above problems. And most articles just copy what bodybuilders are doing and most of them are well assisted.

Hope it makes sense

Can’t add much, but carb cycling maybe a consideration. Personally, It’s hard mentally to be a little soft as a bber, because you always look your best when you are lean, however you will not gain mass as Anoop stated without being in a calorie surplus. For me I suggest having your bodyfat tested (or buy yourself an “Accumeasure” caliper $20) and if you are above 12% than lean out. If you are below, than 12% is the ceiling. That is to say, if you are a rec. bber and have no contest to prepare for, whenever you reach 12% or so, take a month and bring it down a little, then add the calories back in and gain some more mass.

My 2 cents/

Good luck

Personally, It’s hard mentally to be a little soft as a bber, because you always look your best when you are lean, however you will not gain mass as Anoop stated without being in a calorie surplus

And that might be the biggest issue. People want to look good year round. What’s the point of looking like a pig for 6 months and lean the next 6 months for a few pounds of extra muscle?.  You never know when that hot chic is going to bump into you. If you are a bodybuilder, there is a good reason to stay fat that long.

For me I suggest having your bodyfat tested (or buy yourself an “Accumeasure” caliper $20) and if you are above 12% than lean out. If you are below, than 12% is the ceiling. That is to say, if you are a rec. bber and have no contest to prepare for, whenever you reach 12% or so, take a month and bring it down a little, then add the calories back in and gain some more mass.

That’s a better way to do it.  And few naturals bodybuilders go that route.