The more fat cells you have, the easier it is for your body to store fat. Your body is a fantastic storage machine, though, and when you overeat for a significant period of time, it responds by increasing the number of fat cells. However, the bags can only hold so much fat.

The more fat you put in the bags, the bigger they get. Fat cells (adipocytes) are like little bags. The familiar word 'hypertrophy' might make you think he's talking about muscle tissue, but in this case, he's talking about fat. Here's something we learned from muscle-building expert and strength coach Christian Thibaudeau: 'You can add size or volume to a structure either by making the existing components bigger (hypertrophy), or by increasing the number of components (hyperplasia).' Here are five problems with the traditional bulking protocol that every aspiring mass-builder should keep in mind.

If you just bought your town's last pallet of Twinkies in preparation of a long winter gorge-a-thon, you should think twice before opening that wrapper. The problems arise when these excessive weight fluctuations become as common as the seasons changing, and last nearly as long. And, in truth, they can be an effective way to achieve a body transformation. Performing one or two dramatic bulking and cutting cycles is common when people first get serious about bodybuilding or make the choice to hit the stage. This is accomplished by increasing cardio, restricting calories, and introducing more physical activity to accelerate your fat-loss process. You aim for a certain amount of weight above your 'ripped look,' and when you reach it, you begin a cutting phase where the objective is to strip as much fat as possible. When you hear the scale creaking underfoot, you rationalize that you'll be able to diet the fat off later. Success under this model is dictated by how much the scale goes up. They eliminate cardio and activity that may stall their weight gain. Some even resort to force-feeding themselves. This is a period when they eat, in a word, everything. When they bulk, their primary goal is to pack on size and mass without too much concern for extra fat gain or overall appearance. They also take some down time when they settle into more generic maintenance-style cruising programs. During the season swell, aim for a certain weight greater than your 'Ripped Look.'Ĭompetitive bodybuilders will routinely go from heavy off-season mass-building programs to ultra strict pre-contest fat-loss programs.

How long bulking and cutting