Huh, that’s easy. The answer is “as many as possible”, right?

No 🙅

You can’t go ham just because you’re bulking

To maximize muscle growth, research suggests that you’ll need to eat in a calorie surplus (i.e., calories in > calories out).

But more isn’t always better.

There are 2 studies illustrating precisely what could go wrong when you start behaving like Pac-Man in the name of bulking.

OK … so, what’s the right number of calories you should eat when bulking to maximize hypertrophy while minimizing fat gain?

We’ll tell you in a bit.

But first, some good news if you’re a rank novice in the gym.

Unless! It’s your first time bulking

For those who’ve never seriously strength trained — and, by proxy, never bulked before — it appears you’re immune to the unhinged fat gain associated with an aggressive bulk.

Yes, really.

Just take a look at this 2002 study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness.

In a group of untrained lifters, the researchers found nearly exclusive lean mass gains after 8 weeks of training when the participants consumed a large energy surplus (resulting in an average 3 kg increase in weight).

Here’s how many calories you should eat when bulking

So. In light of *waves hands in the air* all that being said, how many calories you should eat when bulking depends on your training experience.

If you’re ...

New to the gym

Feel free to floor the “calorie pedal”.

Be as aggressive as you can stomach during this golden, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to funnel nearly all your calories into pure muscle mass.

Note: for health reasons, it’s probably best to limit your bulking to gaining no more than 2% of your body weight monthly. And, of course, as with all good things, this almost 100% calorie-to-muscle conversion won’t last forever.

You will put on fat at some point.

When that happens, you’ll probably have to accept that you likely won’t be able to force-feed the bulking process much further.

This is when you may consider dialing back the calories or transitioning to a cut altogether.

Resistance trained

While you can’t mine the newbie bulking gains, you probably have lots of room to go before hitting your genetic potential for muscle growth.

So, to close the gap without running the risk of looking like the Michelin Man, you’d want to work with a modest calorie surplus.

Just 10% to 15%.

So, if you have a maintenance calorie of 2,000 calories, your bulking diet should see you eating between 2,200 and 2,300 calories.

It’s not just about the calories

Here’s the truth. How many calories you should eat is just 1 piece of the bulking puzzle.

For optimal results, you’ll also need to account for diet quality. Or, in other words, where those calories come from.

Because your goal is hypertrophy, you’ll need to feed your body with enough protein — the building block of muscles (technically speaking, amino acids are the building blocks, but you get what we mean 🤷).

As for how much protein to aim for, research suggests a minimum of 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight.

Weigh 60 kg? This means you should get at least 96 grams of protein daily.

And if that’s a struggle for you, these articles may come in handy:

Getting Your Protein In on the Cheap (Source and Meal Ideas)

Find out how you can hit your daily protein requirements on the cheap - including source, seasoning, and even meal ideas. Pack those muscles on.

GymStreak BlogGene

How To Create Delicious Meal Plans for a High Protein Diet

There are countless meal plans suitable for a high-protein diet. But? None show you how to tailor recipes to your needs. So, let’s change that.

GymStreak BlogGene

Everything You Wanted To Know About Protein Shakes But Were Too Afraid to Ask🥤

Unlocking the world of protein shakes: your ultimate honest guide to benefits, types, and more. 🌍 The world of protein powders can be a daunting one to step into. Whether shopping online or in a brick and mortar store, seeing the endless options of giant barrel-like containers could make you quest…

GymStreak BlogMatthew Stogdon

How should you allocate the remaining calories?

Probably this way: 55% to 60% energy-giving carbohydrates and 40% to 45% hormone-balancing fat.

We probably shouldn’t have to mention this, but you should also strive to source your macronutrients from whole, minimally processed foods as much as possible:

Why Should You Avoid Processed Foods?

Does “healthy eating” necessitate the complete elimination of processed foods? And why are they bad for health in the first place? Find out here.

GymStreak BlogGene

Beyond what you put into your mouth, there’s also the matter of training. Because your muscles simply won’t grow without a good enough reason.

And this is why you should set up your training plan such that you’re:

• Doing the right number of sets and reps for each muscle
• Training with enough intensity
• Resting enough between sessions
• Implementing progressive overload when appropriate

Stay on top of your bulking game with GymStreak

Um, we can hear your mind going into overdrive from here.

Who knew bulking was so tricky? That it didn’t just involve eating as much as you please? If you’re reconsidering your decision, know that the process doesn’t have to feel like you’re walking through fire.

GymStreak (App Store | Google Play) can make bulking feel easy.

Just input your stats, and, in return, you’ll almost instantly receive a personalized training + nutrition plan that’ll have you packing on muscle mass in no time.

Get an exclusive sneak peek of the smart, AI-powered personal trainer app below: