Is it ok for a teenage boy to bulk and cut? (2024)

FAQs

Is it ok for a teenage boy to bulk and cut? ›

Be aware that bulking and cutting cycles and excessive focus on body composition or weight isn't healthy and is associated with symptoms of eating disorders: Be aware of any changes in your son's eating habits or body image and seek professional help if necessary.

While weightlifting is fine for a 15-year-old, bodybuilding and powerlifting may not be. These are adult-only competitive sports. A gradual increase in intensity will also help teens avoid injury and get greater long-term results: Warm up and cooldown for 5-10 minutes.

A good rule of thumb for lifters is at least 8 - 12 weeks for bulking and then you can go into your cut phase if you're happy with the results. How long does it take to cut after bulking? The cutting phase varies per person, often cuts are around 8 - 16 weeks, dependent on your goals and achievements.

Men with a body fat percentage of about 15-16% should consider cutting. For men that are around 10-13% body fat or less, I would not cut even if it's tempting to be leaner. You don't have much muscle mass to cut down to, and you'll just be really skinny.

From 14-17 years most boys will be either 'In puberty' or 'Completing puberty'. After 17 years boys will usually be 'Completing puberty'. If this is not the case, maturation is delayed and further assessment may be needed.

Do body-weight exercises like push-ups, sit-ups, and squats. Then, add weights to your strength training, starting with light weights and low repetitions. Eat a healthy mix of carbohydrates like fruits and vegetables and unsaturated fats like nuts and avocados. Then, eat lean protein like chicken, turkey, and fish.

Cutting is nothing more than lowering your fat percentage by adhering to a strict diet plan. This makes your muscle mass more visible. The difference between cutting and a regular diet is that with a regular diet you often lose muscle mass. Cutting is adjusting your diet so that the loss of muscle mass is minimal.

So, if you're looking to put on some muscle and gain strength, start with bulking. Then, cut to lose the extra fat, and repeat. Track and then track some more. Use a fitness tracker to keep tabs on your calorie intake, whether you're on a deficit or surplus.

For men , it typically results in a defined and muscular appearance , with visible abs and defined muscles in the arms , chest , and legs . For women , 15 percent body fat can also result in a toned and lean physique , with defined muscles in the arms , legs , and stomach .

What bf to stop bulking? ›

Generally speaking the cutoff body fat percent for bulking is about 15-16% for males and around 22-23% for females. This means that if you are above these body fat levels you should cut (lose fat), and if you are under, you should bulk.

Different authorities have consequently developed different recommendations for ideal body fat percentages. In males, mean percentage body fat ranged from 23% at age 16–19 years to 31% at age 60–79 years. In females, mean percentage body fat ranged from 32% at age 8–11 years to 42% at age 60–79 years.

Take Home Points: Always bulk if you are close to or below 8% or 17% body fat for men or women, respectively. Always cut if you are close to or above 18% or 28% body fat for men or women, respectively.

It is not too early and it most certainly not too late. At this age, you are fully grown and fully developed. Bodybuilding is not like other sports, we are talking about many different factors here. There are genetics, there is bone growth and structure, and also stress on your body.

Getting started in bodybuilding as a teen is one of the best things you can do to ensure your health and fitness, not just now but in your 20s and beyond. Whether you want to gain muscle, lose weight, improve your sports performance, or just get in shape, working out can take you there. The trick is to do it properly.

Powerlifting, maximal lifts, and bodybuilding are not recommended for young people who are still growing because they can cause serious injuries. Some people looking for big muscles may turn to anabolic steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs.

Experts recommend consuming 10–20% above your daily weight maintenance calorie needs during the bulking phase for an average weight gain of 0.25–0.5% of your body weight per week ( 1 , 6 , 7 ).

We can optimize building muscle by having moderate portions of protein every few hours at each meal and snack. Have 20-30g protein every 3-4 hours to build muscle. Many teen athletes take a protein powder to build muscle and gain weight. Taking protein powder on its own is not particularly helpful to build muscle mass.

Many 14-year-old boys experience growth spurts during puberty and can build muscle through weight training. However, since their skeletal system is still developing, they need to be careful to avoid injury.

This means a 130lb teenager who never has lifted weights might gain 1.3-1.95 pounds of muscle per month (15-23 pounds per year) in a year with a great lifting program and eating plan.