Most people can have highly effective cutting cycles in 8-12 weeks, but an effective bulking cycle should be 16-26 weeks on the low end and upwards of an entire year on the longer end. You can see some progress after 6-8 weeks, but it will be marginal, and extending your bulk beyond that is highly recommended.

For general guidance, the average person should add about half a pound of bodyweight a week. So, 2-3 months is often recommended as a reasonable amount of time. Also, bear in mind that you can't control exactly which parts of your body you're going to increase muscle mass at the fastest.

The best answer for an ideal duration per cycle will vary with your goals. In general, you should expect to spend at least 4-6 weeks in any bulking or cutting cycle, any less time makes it unlikely that you'll see much in the way of results. Longer cycles can be more effective with a few caveats.

In order to get bigger and stronger, you must ensure your muscles work harder than they are used to. Generally, between 6-12 reps for 3-6 sets will help to build overall muscle size.

That said, a good rule of thumb for most lifters is to spend at least 8-to-12 weeks bulking and use a bulking-to-cutting ratio of 3:1 (unless you're very overweight, in which case you may need to spend considerably more time cutting than bulking until you reach a more healthy weight.

That said, there are no hard rules for how long you should bulk and cut. Some people will go 6 months of bulking, followed by only 2-3 months of cutting. It'll depend on how much body fat you gain during your bulking phase, as well as what body fat percentage you are happy with achieving during your cutting phase.

Losing fat after months of bulking up doesn't have to be difficult. All you need is a plan and the discipline to follow it. From meal timing and macronutrient ratios to workout intensity and duration, every detail matters. If you do it right, you'll not only shred fat but also make those abs pop and feel amazing.

How long should you bulk before you cut? I recommend that people bulk for a minimum of five months before cutting so that the muscle-building process isn't interrupted before a measurable amount of progress is made. There is no maximum time frame, but i recommend people don't exceed 20% body fat for health reasons.

The key to entering a cut is to eat enough that you're providing your body with the essential nutrients needed to work at optimal levels and to prevent losing the muscle growth you worked hard for, but not going over your daily calorie intake that it causes weight gain.

Bodybuilders and athletes often implement a cutting phase following a period of bulking, or leading up to a competition or their competitive season. A cut is a period of eating at a calorie deficit with the goal of losing body fat and maintaining muscle.

You need to be hitting the weights at least three days per week. The research says that at the very least, training a minimum of two days per week is needed to maximize muscle growth. How you structure your workouts and the amount of days you devote to strength training depends on your current fitness level.