Cut before or after cycle?

[cloak33]

Hey guys. I'm gearing up for a test based cycle. Currently I weigh about 195lbs and I'm guessing around 16 - 17% BF, mostly visible in my gut.

My goal ultimately is to obtain the elusive 6-pack I've always wanted and end up around 185-190lbs.

Here's my question...would you cut weight first and get the 6-pack, then run the cycle only eating clean? Or, do the cycle first, put the weight/muscle on and then cut?

 

[Nomak666]

Cut first. Then the weight you do gain will be more muscle then fat. The more muscle you have, the more muscle to fat ratio you will gain.

 

[Nomak666]

is this really the case? is there any science behind it? I know a few guys who weren't the leanest when they did their first cycle and not only did they gain some nice muscle, they also shed some bodyfat and looked great. I'm not trying to say your absolutely wrong bro or insult you, just doesn't sound right to me

While its not impossible to burn fat and gain muscle, im sure its because your friends got bigger muscles from the cycle, therefore it shows and stands out more, making the illusion of them losing bodyfat, but if they were bulking and eating over their maintenance calories then i doubt they put on muscle and shed bodyfat.

 

[iron_matt-CB]

100% cut the weight first because then you have a better idea on wether or not your gaining muscle or fat.. When your already fat you can't tell

 

[Nomak666]

you may be right nomak, there was one guy i know who def did both at the same time, his shoulders, arms etc exploded while his waist shrunk! what i really ment to ask you was if two genetically identical people did the same cycle and one of them was at say 10% bf and the other at say 16%, would the 16% guy be more prone to gaining fat during the cycle than the 10%??

If they both ate the same foods and did the same cycle, i would say yes, definitely.

To be honest, if one were to lean bulk, and take in calories slightly over maintenance just enough to put on mass slowly and still do 45 minutes of low intnsity cardio, then i bet they can build muscle and burn fat. low intensity cardio burns fat, the slightly higher calories would aid in building muscle slowly, just my thoughts.

 

[sweed]

16-17 isn't that bad as you prob have abs stickin out at this point. But you will be happier if you get down to a nice 12 % and start a cycle there. Your diet will be cleaner after dieting and you will be gaining just about pure muscle. Although I will say I started my first cycle at 16% and I seemed to get leaner, but it was because I gained mostly muscle and my add muscle made my bf go down, if that makes sense, it should. And my diet wasn't the cleanest.

Its reallly up to you, but if u want to cut do it before and not after a cycle as you will loose a little more gains as your calories will be lower.

 

[joe d]

since the six pack comes from low fat far more than muscle size id say cut. but cut on the cycle. it will help a lot.

 

[calstate23]

You could do it anyway you want, but if you want the best results you need to cut before and AFTER. Think about it, normally when you hit a cycle your going to be eatin' a little dirty to put on that size you want. If you already not lean, your going to have a lot of work to do after. Let's say you diet and try to cut up, you'll just lose all that you gained and you'll probably end up lookin about how you started but a little bigger. Cut first definitely......than all your gains on your cycle will just be packed on muscle onto a good physique. Than you could be 30 lbs heavier of GOOD QUALITY muscle with MUCH LESS work to do after your cycle. Also, you won't have to lose as much weight to see your leaness. It would be a waste to gain 30 pounds and than have to lose 25 lbs to see your leaness, YOUR CYCLE WILL BE A WASTE! Again, if your lean first and you gain 30 pounds you'll be leaner at the end. That way you'd only have to lose a few pounds rather than everything you gained...get the drift?

 

[right_off]

is this really the case? is there any science behind it? I know a few guys who weren't the leanest when they did their first cycle and not only did they gain some nice muscle, they also shed some bodyfat and looked great. I'm not trying to say your absolutely wrong bro or insult you, just doesn't sound right to me

Dont forget one thing bro,when u gain muscle(size..)U will look more defined and shreded since the same layer of fat u have lets say on the arms will be 'streched' so thiner,The fa layers are kinda stiked to the skin so the bigger the muscle the thiner the fat and skin surrouding it,its like an elastic,if u stretch it it will be thiner...so even if u dont actualy loose fat,u will look more ripped.
Also for the fat % its the same,if u have lets say a lean body mass off 150 lbs and 15 lbs of fat on ur body,that means u have someting like 20% body fat(just guessing)So if u put on 20 pounds of lean muscle with a cycle and still have ur 15 pound of fat on ur body,ur ratio will drop to maybe something like 15 % but u still have the same amount of fat...
Most peapole think steroids are cutting thems,but most of the time its just an impression,what makes u loose fat is diet bottom line!