Dr. Mike Israetel warned about a side effect of dirty bulking that you might not be aware of. Most people think that the downside of not eating clean during a bulk would be putting on too much fat. However, the exercise scientist revealed that dirty bulking might actually end up hurting your performance in the gym. In fact, it might even lead to pain while lifting.

Dirty bulking is a popular method bodybuilders use to gain the most amount of weight in the least amount of time. This helps them increase their strength, lift heavier weights, and put on more muscle. 21-year-old Sam Sulek recently finished his dirty bulking. However, while Sulek did it right, the exercise scientist explained when and how it can go wrong.

The bodybuilding coach said that things can get quite bad if you put on too much weight. You can “get so fat that you actually affect lift performance, especially compound lifts,” said Dr. Mike Israetel. “I know people… When they got really fat, dirty bulking, they couldn’t even do high rep squats and leg presses anymore,” said the exercise scientist.

The Renaissance Periodization founder explained that they even started “throwing up,” because of too much food. Although they had no issues doing exercises like squatting earlier, they started experiencing lower back pain and cramps after dirty bulking, . So, the bodybuilder explained a simple rule anyone on a bulk should follow.

The exercise scientist said that whether you’re bulking or cutting, “your performance should not be harmed.” However, he also mentioned exceptions. Israetel said the only time strength does decline is during the last three weeks before competing in a show. However, if you’re not competing and still losing strength, you’re doing something wrong. So how should you bulk?

Read More | “Try Some Different S**t”: Exercise Scientist Reveals the Ultimate Workout Tip to Get Jacked

The exercise scientist explained how to bulk the right way

You might be thinking that the bodybuilding coach recommends eating clean and increasing calories as the right way to bulk. However, the exercise scientist doesn’t recommend either extreme. Instead of dirty bulking or only clean eating, Israetel advised people to eat tasty and filling food. He also didn’t recommend making drastic changes to the diet just because you want to bulk.

Isratel shared that people should eat some fast food or comfort food during their bulk. If the person bulking stops gaining weight, then he simply advised them to include some extra carbs and fats in their diet. Hence, a moderate approach is the way to go according to Dr. Israetel.

Read More | “Arnold Did Not Do a Lot of Ster**ds”: Exercise Scientist Gives Honest Take on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Longevity Secrets

Hence, while dirty bulking might seem enticing because it’s easy to gain weight quickly, things might get out of hand in the long run.