While on a bulking program, what is the ratio of muscle to fat gain that should be expected?
As it was stated, it’s hard to answer your question. John Berardi addresses this issue in one of his articles (I think it might be the one where he introduces the Don’t Diet principles, but don’t hold me to that) and essentially argues that your initial body composition is the determining factor. Someone who starts lean will gain substantially more muscle and less fat than someone who starts with more fat.
Of course, how clean you eat is essential too. But definitely check for Berardi’s article in the archives, I’m just summarizing the main point in a half assed manner.
As Jon said, it’s hard to tell, Stillers. It depends on whether you’re using a PH or not. It depends on whether you’re an ecto/endo/mesomorph. It depends on whether you’re insulin resistant or not. It depends on whether you’re working out hard and smart and whether you’re optimizing PWO nutrition. It depends on whether you’ve increased calories by 250 above maintenance or whether you’re just eating “big”/more. It depends on whether you’re eating clean or whether you’re eating garbage. And finally, as Jon alluded to, your BF percentage is going to affect your results. If you bulk at a low BF% (less than 10%?) you’ll put on significantly more muscle than fat. If you bulk at a higher BF% (18-20%, maybe?), you’ll put on signficantly more fat than muscle.
Successful bulking is all about learning your body and how it responds to different variables. The only way to do that is keep a food log and test and record your results.
Go ahead and take advantage of all that T-Mag is famous for; i.e., do a search on “bulking” and read the forum as well as the articles. Put together a plan and post it here on the forum, along with your stats. We’ll be glad to critique it.