3D Muscle Journey #293: When to Bulk, Cut, or Maintain
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Oct 16, 2025 The hosts explore the timing and strategies for bulking, cutting, and maintenance in bodybuilding. Alberto shares lessons from his 'dreamer' bulk, revealing insights about wasted time versus valuable learning. They discuss the benefits of training quality over early cuts, particularly for novices. Conversations delve into muscle gain at maintenance and the importance of sustainable habits. The panel highlights who can benefit from aggressive weight gain and the criteria for starting a fat-loss phase, emphasizing strategic planning and readiness.
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Dreamer Bulk And Hard Lessons
- Alberto described his dreamer bulk from ~140 to ~250 and how it felt fun but ultimately wasteful for long-term progress.
- He learned he should have capped around ~190 and hired a coach instead of gaining indiscriminately.
Focus Training Before Cutting
- Do prioritize training quality and consistency over chasing lower body-fat early in your career.
- Maintain a well-fueled state and invest time in skillful programming before dieting down purely for aesthetics.
Prefer Moderate Surpluses Over Massive Bulks
- Try conservative, moderate surpluses instead of large aggressive bulks to gain muscle while preserving quality of life.
- Keep weight creep to ~8–12 pounds max and focus on training rather than extreme eating strategies.