Author Topic: What Bodyfat % is optimal for gaining muscle? (Read 6542 times)

I dunno dude. I'm all for the whole shaving your body, putting on a nice glittery thong and going out and making muscles onstage. But I've never been into the whole neurotic measuring muscles thing. My guns could be 14" on stage for all I care, so long as they look like they're 20". I can count on 1 hand the number of times I've measured my bodyparts, and most of those times was in reference to my penis

dj181 · « **Reply #31 on:** October 05, 2013, 10:10:28 AM »

but as far as your question about optimum bodyfat for gaining muscle i've just gained almost 5 kg (about 10 pounds) over the past 5 weeks and i started @ 6-7% and now i'm only up slightly, as i'm sitting @ 7-8%

Big Chiro Flex · « **Reply #32 on:** October 05, 2013, 10:12:18 AM »

Quote from: dj181 on October 05, 2013, 10:10:28 AM

but as far as your question about optimum bodyfat for gaining muscle i've just gained almost 5 kg (about 10 pounds) over the past 5 weeks and i started @ 6-7% and now i'm only up slightly, as i'm sitting @ 7-8%

Impressive.

anabolichalo · « **Reply #33 on:** October 05, 2013, 10:14:37 AM »

i have no earthly idea

dj181 · « **Reply #34 on:** October 05, 2013, 10:33:04 AM »

Quote from: Chiro Flex on October 05, 2013, 10:12:18 AM

Impressive.

not bad i guess, but i still got a ways to go

jon cole · « **Reply #35 on:** October 05, 2013, 11:17:09 AM »

Quote from: Chiro Flex on October 04, 2013, 11:29:14 PM

I think between 8-10%.

1-You are more insulin sensitive at this leaner Bodyfat. Better fasting blood glucose levels here as well.

2-Nutrient partitioning is at its peak around this time.

3-Hormonally, this is the optimal environment for higher test levels and lower estrogen levels.

4-joints should feel decent here, as opposed to much leaner levels where you'll really be feeling the aches and pains. Not to mention saving your joints by carrying around less unnecessary fat weight.

5-Good everyday lean level of Bodyfat, yet you should never feel depleted from workouts around 8-10% on a normal training program. Recovery seems to be the best here.

Im just not convinced that you gain more muscle by being fatter. What does GetBig think?

8/10% and i feel like shit, weak, easily injuried. I the kind of guy that feel better with 20%. More strenght, agressivity and recovery.

Big Chiro Flex · « **Reply #36 on:** October 05, 2013, 11:42:00 AM »

Quote from: jon cole on October 05, 2013, 11:17:09 AM

8/10% and i feel like shit, weak, easily injuried. I the kind of guy that feel better with 20%. More strenght, agressivity and recovery.

20% is FAT bro. You a power lifter?

dyslexic · « **Reply #37 on:** October 05, 2013, 01:16:34 PM »

Quote from: Chiro Flex on October 05, 2013, 09:17:21 AM

Ive had enough of your lip Stinkypus. Give me a serious answer. My muscle gains are not a joking matter.

Lol ~

Bevo · « **Reply #38 on:** October 05, 2013, 01:21:09 PM »

Quote from: jon cole on October 05, 2013, 11:17:09 AM

8/10% and i feel like shit, weak, easily injuried. I the kind of guy that feel better with 20%. More strenght, agressivity and recovery.

The cswol method I see

Bevo · « **Reply #39 on:** October 05, 2013, 01:22:19 PM »

Quote from: Chiro Flex on October 05, 2013, 09:36:02 AM

I dunno dude. I'm all for the whole shaving your body, putting on a nice glittery thong and going out and making muscles onstage. But I've never been into the whole neurotic measuring muscles thing. My guns could be 14" on stage for all I care, so long as they look like they're 20". I can count on 1 hand the number of times I've measured my bodyparts, and most of those times was in reference to my penis

Very impressive natural physique u have! Much props!

anabolichalo · « **Reply #40 on:** October 05, 2013, 01:23:31 PM »

Quote from: Chiro Flex on October 05, 2013, 09:17:21 AM

Ive had enough of your lip Stinkypus. Give me a serious answer. My muscle gains are not a joking matter.

i also dont take any chances on my muscular development

you gotta tirelessly question everything

good luck in your fact finding mission

i've been doing a lot of research myself

Thin Lizzy · « **Reply #41 on:** October 05, 2013, 02:46:45 PM »

At bodyfat levels above 10%, the measurements increase, especially your waist, but it's not muscle, just more fat in the fat cells.

Big Chiro Flex · « **Reply #42 on:** October 05, 2013, 03:14:13 PM »

Quote from: Bevo on October 05, 2013, 01:22:19 PM

Very impressive natural physique u have! Much props!

Formerly natural physique

thanks though bro

Big Chiro Flex · « **Reply #43 on:** October 05, 2013, 03:15:19 PM »

Quote from: Thin Lizzy on October 05, 2013, 02:46:45 PM

At bodyfat levels above 10%, the measurements increase, especially your waist, but it's not muscle, just more fat in the fat cells.

Yeah just seems foolish to me to let yourself go like that

Big Chiro Flex · « **Reply #44 on:** October 05, 2013, 03:22:16 PM »

Quote from: anabolichalo on October 05, 2013, 01:23:31 PM

i also dont take any chances on my muscular development

you gotta tirelessly question everything

good luck in your fact finding mission

i've been doing a lot of research myself

Yes brother.

Sometimes I reflect on this quote by the great Lay Nortom and ponder...

"Are you willing to sacrifice to win?"
- Lay Nortom

ProudVirgin69 · « **Reply #45 on:** October 05, 2013, 03:27:44 PM »

Quote from: cephissus on October 04, 2013, 11:49:41 PM

man is this ever an age old debate

i remember back when i used to visit t-nation

this guy over there, "professor x", some huge mothe fucker, made it his personal mission attack "8-10%" claim

guy was like 300 5'10" or sth, big as hell, and had basically convinced the rest of the board (a lot of huge bastards, included)

i always wondered what caused him to say that... of course he also only touched a (legal) prohormone here and there

even though he was obviously full of shit, in general, i think he really DID believe in going up to like 20% or so

makes you wonder...

Lol really? Professor x is the epitome of permabulker.....fuck him and his "advice". He would always proudly post pictures of a shapeless biceps or the faintest hint of abs.

The illusion was maintained until they flew him to Colorado and videotaped him, and we saw that he looked like a shapeless blob. He got winded after doing a set of lunges and couldn't press 135 overhead. What a fat fucking mess.

Natural Man · « **Reply #46 on:** October 05, 2013, 03:31:06 PM »

STFU , stop overthinking/eating so much, lift the fucking weights daily. Get lean and muscular. Wow. How hard is that to understand.

Big Chiro Flex · « **Reply #47 on:** October 05, 2013, 03:32:55 PM »

Quote from: uberman on October 05, 2013, 03:31:06 PM

STFU , stop overthinking/eating so much, lift the fucking weights daily. Get lean and muscular. Wow. How hard is that to understand.

You look like dogshit. Who wants to listen to your advice? So we can all look as frail and diminutive as you? LOL! Bye

ProudVirgin69 · « **Reply #48 on:** October 05, 2013, 03:33:16 PM »

Anyways, on topic.....I don't think there's anything to be gained from going over 10-12%. Strength wise maybe, but not for muscle gain.

Lean muscle takes a LOOONG time to put on. When you don't see the scale move like you want, the natural thought is to eat more. I think time/consistency is the most important thing. Train hard, eat 200-300g protein/day, juice, and stay as lean as you can without killing yourself.... the muscle will come with time

King Shizzo · « **Reply #49 on:** October 05, 2013, 03:41:47 PM »

It depends on the individual. Genetics, work ethic, and dosages play the biggest part.

You can put muscle on as a 30% fatass, you just wont see it.

Bodybuilding 101: muscle is not fat. Bodyfat composition doesnt matter much, at 10% and over.