190lbs 5'11'' 28yrs old ~20%bf - Cut or Bulk?

[WillDo1234]

Question: CUT to 180lbs or BULK to 200+lbs? Planned blast @ 350-400mg/week weeks 1-16 & VAR 30mg/week weeks 8-16 regardless of bulk or cut decision, as I expect my body to tolerate the familiar cycle.

Body comp and profile in description. I've been low dose blasting and cruising for a little over 2 years now, going from 160lbs to now 190lbs via 16-20 week bulking cycles and then maintenance phases. I have not really attempted a formal cut, since my main focus has been muscle building.

Most of my AAS strategy has been upper range cruising doses @ 200mg/week EOD. Sides consist of moderate bacne, increased but acceptable lipid profile, puffy nipples but not gyno (~16mg/week EOD aromasin). When I first started Test I pinned ~100mg/week and titrated up to my first "blast" of 300mg over a few months. I recognize 300mg/week is "low" in the eyes of most of the community, but I wanted to figure out my actual response before hitting high doses off the bat and potentially ending up with damaging sides (ie. cystic acne, severe hair loss).

I've completed 2 moderate "Blasts": 300mg/week (weeks1-20) w/ VAR 25mg weeks13-20 (split morning/night). These have been bulking phases.

I've been cruising/bulking on Test 200mg/week EOD & 16mg/week aromasin EOD for the last 4+ months. Gained 10lbs.

Gym maturity: Consistent 5-6 day PPL split for last 3 years (3 month injury summer 2023). Inconsistent weightlifting since 15years old.

 

[laclark89]

I'm usually around the same body fat as u at 6'3 230 ish at 18 20 percent. Dont try to bulk at that ull get sloppy and end up losing muscle tryin to get all that extra fat off.

U can cut on just test.

 

[WillDo1234]

Appreciate the perspective. That's what I'm leaning towards. I do miss the striations and having more visible abs.

Why just Test and not VAR too?

 

[Avarice911]

If you’re a legitimate 20% body fat, you’re gonna have to cut down closer to 170lbs before being in a solid place to bulk. Just stick with test only. You can still get plenty out of test alone at your size. I’m 5’11” 207lbs @ 14-15% (abs still visible but not super block looking like ~10%) and I am still getting solid gains on 300mg test and 4iu gh

 

[WillDo1234]

Thanks man. Sounds like the move. I'll start cutting

 

[Evom1]

At 20% body fat I would definitely recommend you cut down to no higher than 15%

 

[Mishka]

At a real 20% bf you should cut, at least if your goal is Bodybuilding.

If you are a strength athlete you could ignore an increased bf%.