I was pondering this today and couldn’t come up with an answer… Let’s say I have a slight caloric deficit and and working toward getting leaner. At the same time I hit the bar harder than I would bang Jelena Jensen. Is it possible to see a 50lbs gain on your squat without eating like Dave Tate?
My two cents - Yes. In fact, this beautiful phenomenon is happening to me right now. I have lost 8 pounds in the past 3 weeks, while adding weight on EVERY one of my exercises. However, I cannot say for sure that I am adding more muscle mass. But I am getting stronger.
In fact, if you are just starting out, getting leaner and stronger at the same time is quite normal and to be expected.
To add something to my last post, if you have been training for a long time, then it will be difficult to add 50 pounds to your squat while in a large caloric deficit. BUT if you are beginning, adding 50 pounds to your squat will pretty much occur regardless of diet, if you are training correctly. Happened for me, at least.
[quote]gsmithmusic wrote:
I was pondering this today and couldn’t come up with an answer… Let’s say I have a slight caloric deficit and and working toward getting leaner. At the same time I hit the bar harder than I would bang Jelena Jensen. Is it possible to see a 50lbs gain on your squat without eating like Dave Tate?
[/quote]
If you are a beginner could happen. If you are a vet who’s pretty developed probably not.
D
It’s not wise to stay in a caloric deficit in a strength phase, if that’s what you’re asking. Maintenance is fine, but preferably just above.
Hmmm what if we took in more calories and carbs than we needed on training days and less calories and carbs on non training days, then we might be onto something… hmmm.
really depends on your current conditioning. Considering your asking this questions yes you can do it.
The reason I ask is because I look at the stats of some of the huge and strong guys… and oftentimes they weigh barely more than I do.
I’m 6’ 1" 227 and lean enough to see my abs… I’d say I’m 75% on the jacked scale. But I’m wondering if gaining more weight is really the answer into becoming a true beast.
Yes it is possible.
Just look at someone like Kevin Levrone or Casey Viator. I don’t think that is really the question you want answered though. If you are asking: “Can I get stronger and still see my abs?” I have no idea what your genetic and nutritional and training variables are.
I think it is simpler to figure out what goal you want. Do you want to be bigger and stronger than you are now? Are you willing to sacrifice some definition in the short run for some long term size and strength?
You are much more likely to reach your goals if you state them clearly and make the appropriate choices to achieve them.
Yes you can, but is it easy? Hell no.
i’d say your diet would have to be extemely fine tuned
Well its possible for sure.
1 Month ago, i lost 10lb of fat, gained 3lb of muscle
Been working out for about 3 1/2 months, so its expected.
Yeah, I hope its possible because I’ll be aiming for this early next year.
I’m currently eating the same 7 days a week with a slight calorie surplus everyday.
I have gotten stronger but less lean.
Scott M is right and I agree that the trick is going to be carb and calorie cycling to achieve optimum results.
The big question is can you get leaner, stronger AND add more muscle at the same time?
I’m not so much interested in adding mass as I am in getting stronger.
I don’t want to get bigger… just… harder. 
[quote]Scott M wrote:
Hmmm what if we took in more calories and carbs than we needed on training days and less calories and carbs on non training days, then we might be onto something… hmmm. [/quote]
HMMMMMM.
[quote]Stronghold wrote:
Scott M wrote:
Hmmm what if we took in more calories and carbs than we needed on training days and less calories and carbs on non training days, then we might be onto something… hmmm.
HMMMMMM.[/quote]
and what about adding some nepa or low intensity cardio?
Jason Ferruggia has talked about gaining strength while losing fat. He says it’s possible. You could do a cursory google search to read his explanation. Pretty interesting, since I think he mostly talks about it being the “mentality” one has about strength when losing. If you think you’ll lose strength, then you will, according to Jason.
Hmm…
I think it would actually be better to take in a fairly constant number of calories, and not try to split it up based on training and non-training days. One, it’s easier, and two, the day after a workout is when you’re recovering and you need the extra calories, so it makes little sense to drop them then. I think John Berardi recommends this approach.
[quote]detazathoth wrote:
Yes you can, but is it easy? Hell no.[/quote]
Correct answer.
How do PL’s stay in the same weight class but get stronger?
I’ve lost 9lbs in the past 3-4 weeks and have hit PR’s EVERY Max effort day so far.
I did decrease the overall volume of my training A LOT though.
I train with a modified Westside split with a strongman events day on the weekend.
I went from 5 days a week to 3-4 and on my ME Lower day it is
ME Deadlift or Squat rotating exercises every 1-2 weeks followed by vice versa for a accessory movement (but kept heavy) than 3-4 sets of Lats (I train Lats on ME Lower day for whatever reason)than 2-3 sets weighted ab work
Example
week 1 ME Deadlift, front squat Lat Pulldown Kneeling rope crunch
Week 2 ME Wide Stance Squat, rack pulls, lat pulldown decline weighted situps
etc…
If you keep the overall volume down and just hit the money exercises hard its possible
It’s absolutely possible. Since August, when I started training at a real powerlifting gym for the first time:
-11 lbs scale weight
+20 lbs bench press
+50 lbs squat
+50 lbs deadlift