3 tips for better lean bulking

Author

Ricky Goodrich
November 20, 2024

In partnership with

Here’s everything going on in today’s newsletter:

  • 3 tips for a successful lean bulk

  • Black Friday supplement deals

  • Nutrition for the non-binary training population

Bulking

Staying Lean and Mean

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Of the two most common ways to bulk during winter — fast and dirty or slow and clean — the latter is gaining popularity for both health- and Instagram-based outcomes.

While undoubtedly harder to dial in with perfect exactitude, these three tips will help make this winter’s lean bulk go as smoothly as your shaved chest. And when all is said and done, you should end up bigger, firmer, and with less body fat than when you began your seasonal hibernation.

For this article, we brought in Dr. Eric Helms to help you dial in your macros just right for your clean bulk. Unlike a dirty bulk, where you go on a massive “see food” diet and just hope for the best, a lean bulk requires more precision and focus in order to navigate the nutritional tightrope. You’ll also need an understanding of energy expenditure to make sure you’re taking in enough food to get bigger but not so much that you tip the scale too far in an unwanted direction. 

Before you start all your holiday eating, consult this guide and create the perfect plan to add muscle (and just muscle) to your frame by the next equinox.

A Message From Pique Life

My go to holiday drink!

How many magical creams and trendy serums have we wasted money on, only to be left with half-used jars? When skincare products don’t deliver, the answer lies within. True skin health starts at the cellular level, with deep hydration,elasticity, and a strong barrier. Enter Pique’s Radiant Skin Duo—a simple ritual of Sun Goddess Matcha and B·T Fountain electrolytes. Packed with antioxidants, ceramides, chlorophyll, and hyaluronic acid, it nourishes skin from within for a lasting glow! For a limited time get 20% off on Pique’s best sellers!

Black Friday Sales

Save on Supplements

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Bringing its promises of money-saving deals and rarely seen bargains, Black Friday stands alone in the hearts and minds of all consumers as one of the biggest events on the calendar. And these deals get even bigger if you’re in the market for top-tier supplements to improve your fitness game.

Anyone looking to restock their supplement cabinet won’t want to miss out on the sales we’ve put together below. Whether buying your favorite protein powders in bulk or taking this opportunity to try out a brand new pre-workout on the cheap, these early Black Friday deals only come around once a year for a good reason: Many of them are a little too good to be a regular thing. 

Check out what the biggest names in the market — including Transparent Labs, Huel, and Legion — have in store for Black Friday by clicking and shopping below.

Fitness

Training Across the Rubicon

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Training as a trans-athlete may present specific difficulties not seen in other populations, ranging from physiological to psychological.

In this article, BarBend consults experts in the field who delve into the research concerning the unique needs of both pre- and post-transitioned persons in and out of the gym.

While there may be key differences in approaching a new trans-client, personal trainer Nikias Tomasielo says the fundamentals stay the same, and basic things like training frequency and commitment remain the focal points of any new training regimen.  

Studies suggest that members of the trans-community have both strong benefits and high barriers to entry into training spaces, so this article may help you springboard into a better, healthier life in exercise.

Everything Else

Hang On

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