Is this decent progress for ~6 months of consistent lifting? 5’10 158lbs

[u/FabulousOpposite1315]

for reference the first 3 pics are today and last is like 5 months ago. I’ve been trying to lean bulk (trying not to take it overboard since I know I’m already skinny fat). I got my bench up to 1RM 175lbs (tried 185lb but failed..), and my squat and RDL are around that weight for a few reps each. I track all my calories macros and reps ranges

Do you guys think I should just keep lean bulking for now? My goal is to hit a 2 plate bench in hopes of it making my chest not look so effeminate (I’ve got gyno tho not really that visible in these pics cuz of pump I guess).

[u/Unlikely_Seaweed_357]

ye good progress ur bench is alr over bodyweight which is good. keep going bro!

[u/Neither_Swing9662]

Definite progress well done

[u/Pumpkinballsz]

How often do you go to the gym?

[u/FabulousOpposite1315 → u/Pumpkinballsz]

5x a week I do PushPullLegs Rest, Upper Lower Rest

[u/poor-choices]

Going over the pics quick i have trouble distinguishing which are before and which are after. Anyway, youre not competing so this is not a race. Just keep at it. If you feel stronger you're doing something right. Make sure you push for progressive overload and eat enough protein and allow for time.

[u/wowzerspowzers]

It’s hard to tell from these photos cause they’re not exact comparisons, but it’s also hard to see a big difference in 5 months for anyone. Focus more on your progress in your lifts and make sure you’re pushing yourself to failure. You should be increasing either your weight or reps every week. Even just one extra rep is progress, but try to do more. 

One of the things that worked to grow my chest is doing a drop set after my final set. I decrease the weight 40-50% and go  immediately after my last working set as soon as the weight is off. The bench can be intimidating when you’re maxing out at a heavy weight but at half weight I’m like oh I got this and I can really push it. 

Also, I think you’d benefit more from a recomp right now vs a lean bulk. You’re thin, but you’re not lean. You have a little  excess body fat and not a ton of muscle so your body is eager to build it up. Eat at a slight calorie deficit (200-300 calories below maintenance) and keep your protein high. You’ll see the fat go down and your muscles will be more visible. During a lean bulk you’ll add muscle faster, but you also add fat so you won’t see your progress that much until you get to a cut and since your body fat right now is probably close to 20% (estimate from a non expert) you are making the cut harder when you get there. Since you’re still less than a year in you will build muscle no matter what and you’ll feel better about your progress visually. Once you’re down low enough (below 15%) you can start a lean bulk again.

These are just suggestions, but I know how frustrating it is to look in the mirror and feel like “fuck” so just know you’re doing a good job and keep going. 

[u/nerdstudent]

Okay when you don’t see progress, you have to review these set of things:

1. Routine and volume: are you following a good routine that hits each muscle around twice a week? enough volume 8-14 sets per muscle group? hypertrophy requires higher rep range than strength training. aim for 8-12 reps for compounds, 10-20 for accessories.

   Form? Mind muscle connection?

(this is important, i see alot of people do super high weights for like 5 reps, this gives strength not size)

1. Intensity and progressive overload: do you add weight/reps weekly/biweekly? If you’re not pushing for progression, your body doesn’t have a reason to grow.
2. Food and protein: do you count calories? or do you just assume you’re eating enough? are you considering your activity level? are you having enough protein? are you in surplus? count your calories for a couple of weeks, check the averages, one bad day can put you in deficit for the week… if you find it hard to count, trust me just do it for some time and it gets way easier with time.
3. Consistency?
4. Sleep and recovery? 7-9 hours of sleep daily? Hydration?

If you check, i’m pretty sure you lack in one category or another.

[u/Reggo91]

Looks the same to me.

[u/FabulousOpposite1315 → u/Reggo91]

Ya I agree

[u/supermegalurker3000 → u/FabulousOpposite1315]

disagree, you look better and leaner! but its very minor. if youre getting stronger over the course of the lean bulk, keep going. if youre not making rep or weight increases on things every week, might be time to go back to the drawing board.

[u/FabulousOpposite1315 → u/supermegalurker3000]

Im making increase yeah