What You Need to Know About Bulking

If you are trying to build muscle but it seems like it's taking forever, your diet may not be sufficient to support the muscle growth you are pursuing. That's because in order to promote muscle protein synthesis, you need an abundance of calories—which are not easy to come by if you are also trying to maintain or lose weight.

Typically, for bulking you need to increase your calories by 10% to 20%. Experts suggest bulking first before cutting.

In some situations, bulking may be the answer. Bodybuilders use bulking techniques to put on as much muscle as possible in their off season. That way, they can make great strides in their physiques quickly.

But before you start eating, it is important to understand how to bulk up properly. You will also need to consider your starting point, your goals, and how much time you have. Here is what you need to know before you get started.

What is Bulking?

Bulking is an effort to gain weight quickly, preferably in the form of muscle, by consuming more calories than your body needs combined with a training program designed to promote muscle accrual.

Typically, when someone wants to bulk up, they will eat as much as they can with regard to the nutritional value of the food. Any and all high-calorie foods are fair game and often consumed in excess to meet daily calorie needs for bulking.

The problem with this approach is that your typical western-style diet is high in carbohydrates, fat, and refined foods, while being low in protein. Studies show that participants who increased their calories by 1,000 per day following a western diet gained weight, but 50% to 67% of the weight they gained was fat.

While the goal of bulking is to gain muscle weight, most people are looking for a jump in muscle mass and not fat. The clean bulk is a more strategic bulking phase prioritizing whole, unprocessed foods that are high in protein, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables. What's more, a high-protein bulk is more likely to result in greater muscle mass gains and less fat gain.

A 2019 study indicates that anything less than 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of weight per day will not help you with bulking. In fact, the study suggests you may need 2.2 grams to 3.4 grams of protein per kilogram of weight per day to limit weight gain from fat mass. However, exceeding 2 grams of protein per kilogram of weight per day should not be done without oversight from a medical professional.

How Do You Start Bulking?

When you are ready to begin bulking, you will want to first determine how much muscle you want to gain, how many weeks you have to bulk, and what kind of bulk you want to do—clean vs. traditional or "dirty bulk."

Most bulks last anywhere from 6 weeks to 4 months. Some people even claim to be in a bulking phase upwards of a year. However, longer is not always better.

Next, you will want to calculate your daily calorie needs. Start by determining your resting metabolic rate (RMR). This number tells you how many calories you need to do basic tasks and maintain your weight. Once you have that number, add an additional 10% to 20% of calories to add about 0.25% to 0.5% of bodyweight gain per week.

If you're not sure how much you are currently eating, try logging your intake for a week using a food journal app to determine where you're starting from. Tracking your food in an app can also be helpful during your bulk to ensure you are reaching your calorie goals each day.

Nutrition for Bulking

If you're not concerned about gaining body fat while bulking, a traditional bulk will work well for you. A traditional bulk means you eat whatever you'd like to reach your calorie goals. Fast-food value meals and other highly processed foods are fair game. With this style of bulking you may end up with more body fat gain than muscle mass—that's something you will have to decide if it is OK for you or not.

On the other hand, if your goal is to put on muscle with as little body fat as possible, you will want to prioritize the quality of foods and protein. Studies show that when paired with a strength training routine, protein intake should be between 2.2 grams and 3.4 grams per kilogram of body weight to maximize muscle and strength gains during a bulk.

To reach this amount, more than three meals will need to be consumed. Each meal should contain about 0.25 grams of protein per kilogram of weight for young adults and about 4 grams of protein per kilogram of weight per meal for adults.

But bulking diets are often extremely high in calories, making it difficult to meet calorie goals in only two to three meals per day. For that reason, it may be a good idea to spread your calories out throughout the day so you are better able to eat your entire meal without feeling uncomfortable.

Because you have already calculated your calorie needs, you can now determine how much protein you will need each day. To do so, calculate your body weight in kilograms by diving your weight by 2.2. Then multiply that number by 2.2 and 3.4. That is your new range of protein intake per day.

The remaining calories can be split up between complex carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. Do not be afraid to use high-calorie foods in your diet including whole milk, ice cream, and cheese. These foods offer nutritional value and can help you reach your daily high-calorie goals.

Fitness for Bulking

Unfortunately ramping up your diet and eating as much as you can is not going to help you put on lean mass unless you combine it with a heavy strength training routine. Studies show that resistance training and daily high protein intake are essential for maximizing muscle-building potential.

More advanced training techniques including super-sets, body part splits, and set-rep schemes can be helpful to break through plateaus and prevent training boredom. Also, incorporating a few sessions per week of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can be a good strategy for minimizing fat gain. Plus, research suggests that HIIT workouts have a positive effect on muscle gains.

When bulking using resistance training, aim for three to six sets of six to 12 repetitions with a moderate intensity of 60% to 80% of your one rep max. Resting should be short, at about 60 seconds. Training volume should then increase to 12 to 28 sets per muscle, per week.

Safety Tips

While nutrition and training are important for getting the most out of your bulk period, you are still putting your body under greater stress. It is essential to prioritize sleep, hydration, and stress management in addition to nutrition and training to help your body recover, repair, and reach your muscle gain goals.

If you are following a traditional—or dirty bulk—for a long period of time, you are putting yourself at risk of gaining excess body fat and increased health risks. Because of this, traditional bulks are better utilized in the short term.

Additionally, rapid weight gain can put pressure on joints and cause stretch marks. Remember to take your time and work toward putting on muscle slowly to prevent rapid weight gain and the risk factors associated with it.

A Word From Verywell

It is possible to bulk without following a strategic diet plan. However, attempting a bulk without a strength training routine or by eating primarily ultra-processed foods can leave you with more fat than muscle gain.

If you're serious about building muscle and want to do it in a way that maximizes your training efforts with minimal fat gain, combining a clean bulk with a consistent strength training program is the way to go. But, determining how many calories, the types of foods, and developing a training program is not easy to do on your own.

If that is the case for you, a certified strength and conditioning coach or personal trainer and registered dietitian can help you develop a routine and meal plan that fits your lifestyle and help you reach your goals. You also should talk to a medical professional, especially if you plan to exceed 2 grams of protein per kilogram of weight per day.