Dennis Wolf details the correct way to go through the bulking and cutting process in bodybuilding.
While not every bodybuilder commits to this, the bulking and cutting cycle is a common routine most competitive bodybuilders go through. The overview is relatively simple. Bulk during the offseason to build more mass. Cut down your weight in the prep leading up to a competition to tighten your conditioning. While this sounds simple enough – there are incorrect ways to bulk and cut. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Dennis Wolf shares insight in how to properly bulk so your physique is spot on come cutting during prep.
Though Dennis Wolf is retired now, he was still one of the top pro bodybuilders of his era. Not only that, but he continues to train aspiring bodybuilders to this day. That’s why during our video conversation, we asked him about the details of bulking and cutting as a pro bodybuilder. With more bodybuilders trying to stay lean throughout the year, is the traditional bulking and cutting cycle falling out of favor? Is it not the most optimal way to perfect a physique?
Dennis Wolf still leans towards the bulking and cutting cycle when he trains his athletes. But he does acknowledge that there are a lot of misconceptions on how this works. It’s a mistake to simply eat anything and everything during bulking. In fact, there are a wide variety of ways you can mess up your bulking process. This then makes the later cutting process more challenging. It also can lead to missing the mark come competition day.
So what is the right way to bulk? While there are many theories, Dennis Wolf details how he trains his clients during the offseason. He believes it is still important to have a bigger intake of calories to build mass – but focuses on making sure the diet consists of clean foods. That means avoiding fats and too many carbs.
The key, is to focus on bulking while also thinking about conditioning year round. While you can’t stay as razor sharp lean during the offseason as the week of a competition, you can still practice keeping your physique in a better place.
This mirrors what Toney Freeman discussed with us in a separate interview. He believes that too many people misunderstand what conditioning really is. Real conditioning is having a lean physique consistently throughout the year. Of course, as mentioned, not pitch perfect – but far from the bloated bodies you sometimes see on pros during the height of the offseason.
Dennis Wolf seems to agree with this concept. He explains that bodybuilders will eventually need to learn how to focus on conditioning during the cutting process. Building good habits during bulking and maintaining less fat overall makes the process more effective.
You can watch Dennis Wolf explain bulking and cutting in detail by watching our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above.
