Should I tone up or bulk up? Please answer?

[Anonymous]

Well, I'm really skinny but gym has been my new obsession for the past couple of weeks and I've planned to be completely dedicated to it. I noticed I was much skinnier than the average guy and a lot of girls were probably finding it a huge turn off, even though I'm quite athletic. But I don't know whether I should get completely jacked or just become lean and muscular. Here are a couple of pictures of me so you tell me what would be better look for me, whether bulky or toned? By the way, I don't want people talking sh*t and calling me ugly so please refrain from attacking my looks. Thanks.

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[nermalinda]

These are sort of bodybuilding myths. I mean basically you either build muscle or you don't. And you can either build a little muscle or a lot of muscle.

Just do progressive overload in the gym and use between 4-6 reps, try to improve every time you go. It's not gonna happen every time, but your goal is to gradually up the weights.

Make sure to calculate your calories and eat enough. Stick to quality foods to prevent putting on more fat than you have to.

Building muscle takes a lot of time, anyone who claims to put on "20 lbs" in a month and crap like that, yeah they look bigger, but most of it is fat.

How big you can get is largely determined by genetics and cardio does not burn muscle unless you are not eating enough.

Yeah so just work out for strength, eat for health, and you will see improvements.

[wildcat1989]

Okay jacked is disgusting. When I see a guy that is completely ripped I know he spends hours each day in the gym and the mirror looking at himself.

Honestly, its a little disturbing that a man would care about his looks this much. It's a little girlie and a huge turnoff. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't care a little, don't be a slop, but those guys that look like they could crush a cinder block with their fingertips are completely disgusting.

Real men don't look in the mirror at their abs 10 times a day. That's what a girl does.

[Anonymous]

gain some mass and bulk up, then try tone yourself. My mate started going to the gym a year and a half ago, he was 58kg and a really skinny indian, he's now 80kg and a solid toned cun t. Just have dedication and go 3 or 4 times a week and do you're research. Don't use the same weight lifting routine and make sure you are lifting weights with good form or you will find you will put your back out or be uneven. Don't just train your upper body, but train legs as well or you will look out of proportion and have "chicken legs". The main thing is to stick at it and stay motivated.

[Brando]

Can't really tell by the pictures, but I'm probably skinnier than you. You look pretty normal to me, but pictures seem to throw off proportions and everything. I'd say you could build just a little bit more mass, then maintain and start toning it up. I think if you built up and put on a ton of muscle weight, you might look a little silly being thick as a mug. By the way, how tall are you? The shorter you are, the smaller and more in proportion you should be IMO.

So yeah, my vote is to gain a little bit more if you'd like but then start cutting it up.

[Darkfairie17]

I think you would bulk up nicely. I wouldn't focus too much on becoming huge, but even a little muscle would probably look good. I don't think you are too skinny, I have dated guys who are half your size if you can believe it! So don't think you are too skinny to get girls, you are a good size. But if you want to bulk up, I can see you bulking up nicely. Do what you feel is right for you though, make sure you research how to bulk up properly.

Bodybuilding.com is a good website to get started on. My friend uses it and she was doing fitness competitions and had to put on some mass. She did it successfully, you just have to research the best ways to to do it.

[GleeLover]

Physical activity is always good, but some people are naturally skinny, so don't expect feel bad if you don't turn into Hulk Hogan. I thought you didn't look too skinny in your photos, & didn't have anything to worry about.

[theydidntnameme]

Your not that skinny lol. I. Suggest getting lean. You don't need to spend hours in the gym either. Just do bench press, and pull ups and squats. 4sets of 10 3days a week. Use whatever weight allows you to do 10 reps and gradually increase the weight as you get used to it. It only takes like an hour to do all that. And make sure you jog too so you have good cardio.. Good luck

[SweetFace28]

I agree with stevo below. But you look fine to me. ;-)

[Asker]

Thanks :D

[FatBatKiller]

not thosound like a douche, buy I really enjoy working out with Insanity and p90x, doing both have made me really be able to reach my goal. you'll get great looking lean muscle (arms, chest, etc) from doing both of these workouts each day.

life changing.

best of luck man.

[FierceMegan]

Hehehe, I know you! lol, you look good the way you are, but if you want a real answer, TONE up. ;)

[curiouschica]

Hmm when I think "bulk up" I picture Arnold so maybe just go with the toned look if you're unhappy with how you are now...

[MakeLoveNotWar]

Mate you're not skinny, I'm the definition of skinny lmao, which is why I'm going for a toned look lol. Anyway, a buffed up look looks like it would suit you, bro.

[girl_power111]

well don't bulk up...just eat good and exercise...pump iron

[kushman_204]

Both because when you workout your both toning up and bulking up at the same time

[CanUSeeRJB]

those guys meant bulk as in gain weight...

[Anonymous]

I honestly think you should go for more of a lean muscle. Don't get all body-builder huge. It's a turn off.

[MzNatalie]

Yes, get bigger.

[Asker]

As in completely ripped rather than toned?

[MzNatalie]

Either. I dated a HUGE guy once. I loved him just pickign me up like nothing and throwing me down on the bed...oh yeah!. Smaller guys simply cannot do that. I loved it. I've dated all different body types. Everyone has a preference.

[stevo]

Lean muscle-

[Ezmotts]

Bulk, then cut.

[joshuadwa]

Listen to this guy. pretty much everything else is wrong. All tone is is the presence of muscle without fat over it. As you have veyr little fat, you are about as tone as you will get. Bulk and then cut. You can't do both at the same time. Thinkg about it scientifically. Bulking= adding weight which according to the rules of thermodynamics you must intake more calories. Cutting=losing weight thus taking in less calories. You can not do both at the same time.