How low should body fat be before bulking?

[AdamJM]

I've been doing some looking and I've seen several hints that bulking is much more benificial from lower body fat percentages. The thing is I can't find a decent rule as to how low a body fat you should get to. When ever some one says they want to gain strength everone says EAT EAT EAT, shouldn't we actually be saying lose weight then EAT EAT EAT? The real question is what should I get my body fat down to before I start to bulk again? I've already lost 28 lbs (198 down to 170), how much more should I need to lose.

[CrazyR]

i tend to agree its better to bulk after losing fat first... you will find your body responds better to it and most people find it is better for them psychologically as they can see the muscle growth so much better without the fat in the way

whats your % body fat now?

10-15% would be a good level to aim for before bulking

[groeneaj]

I am currently 14.5% body fat and still getting that down. At the moment I am on a 1800 calorie diet, and in the last 3 weeks I have gained, not much though, but a gain is a gain. I have also decrease my body fat 5.5% in the last 6 weeks. And I want to bulk as well. So I aiming to get my body fat to about 11 - 12%, or to the point where I am happy with my abs, then gradually build up my calories intake.
One thing I have found motivating is to keep a record of your measurements, and body fat%, as well as a log of your diet.

[jplayer]

Hey man sorry if youve posted this before but can we get some stats,
Age,
Workout routine,
Typical diet each day/ week

I agree that you should cut the fat first and then start bulking but what I woudlnt want to see happen to you is to start slashing your calories even more and start losing muscle to try to get a lower bodyfat.

If me just answering your questions was good enough then great but if you would like some pointers just post those stats above and lets get you on a program to see your goal quicker

Originally Posted by groeneaj

I am currently 14.5% body fat and still getting that down. At the moment I am on a 1800 calorie diet, and in the last 3 weeks I have gained, not much though, but a gain is a gain. I have also decrease my body fat 5.5% in the last 6 weeks. And I want to bulk as well. So I aiming to get my body fat to about 11 - 12%, or to the point where I am happy with my abs, then gradually build up my calories intake.
One thing I have found motivating is to keep a record of your measurements, and body fat%, as well as a log of your diet.

[AdamJM]

I don't know what my body fat % is, if anyone want to hazard a guess I've got pics in the before and after forum. Otherwise I don't know for sure but I figure it has to be in the low teens.