How long do folks do these cycles for at a time?

 

depends mate.id say bulk about october through the winter then cut maybe about march in time for some decent weather.

 

Ok mate cool cheers for the info!

 

You don't need to do it often if you diet/bulk clean. It's when people think because they're bulking they can cram anything and everything from a Marsbar to a beef burger down there mouth that you'll need to cut sooner rather than later.

Also, unless you are competing I reckon' you could stay pretty lean all year round and still gain.

Benni.

 

Im not competing etc just want to get a bit more muscles as i lost over 2 stone when i quit the gym to start doing aggressive skating again lol, i dont eat a lot of shite anyway mate! my idea of bulking was eating healthy food and doing larger weights! my idea of cutting is healthy food with loads of cardio and smaller weights-more reps? if im wrong please educate me lol cheers

 

Agreed. I sort of do a bulking cutting cycle. When buliking I just up the calories (clean) and when cutting I slightly lower the calories (stop taking weight gain basicaly) and up the cardio. Look up something called Crossfit. It's ideal for cutting and conditions brilliantly too.

 

Sounds about right mate. I wouldn't say loads of cardio though, 45 minutes 4 times a week. Unless of course your obese, then do as much as you can I guess.

Benni.

 

Cheers for the advice folks!

 

As said if your not fat and not putting sugar and sat fat in, then just lower carbs as you get nearer your target date ie summer holiday or whatever. I don't think there is an argument for putting on 3stone of fat and muscle having eaten everything you want if you look like crap only to have to work that fat back off.
I upped cardio to 5x 20 minute sessions a week over 8 weeks and could really have done with another 4 weeks losing fat but it was my first time ive ever "cut up" this year and mis timed it, oh well, I only managed a 6pack but was VERY pleased for what little time I had set myself to prepare for my holiday