What Is Body Recomp?
Body recomp (short for body recomposition) is essentially changing your body shape over time.
Key word: over TIME.
This isn’t one phase you go through and boom! You’re lean and mean.
This typically takes YEARS.
So what are some things you need to know about body recomp?
Body recomp is NOT one phase.
As mentioned, body recomp takes years. If you go to a macro calculator (🥴) and they have a “Body Recomp” option… this is bullshit. Because you cannot simultaneously lose body fat and gain muscle at the same time (which is essentially what is required to recomp your body). You certainly can do those simultaneously in the beginning, but over time, your body adapts and it will become harder and harder.
With this, body recomp is multiple phases of cutting, reverse dieting, bulking, maintenance. Over and over.
Body recomp won’t just be one cycle of bulking and cutting.
The coolest part of fitness and building the body you want is that it can be a forever thing! You can constantly work at recomposing your body. There may be times you get “fluffier” from bulking, but that’s the time to build muscle and you can eventually cut to lose body fat you may have gained during said bulk. This will take multiple cycles, not just one cut.
“Tone” is really just muscle.
You don’t want to be toned. You want to be STRONG. So, in order to recomp your body, you have to pick up some weights. Some heavy weights, not the 3lb weights collecting dust in your garage.
Food quality still matters.
The biggest mistake you can make during a bulk is making it a “dirty bulk”, meaning you just eat a bunch of shit because it’s higher calories. No matter which phase you’re in during a body recomp, prioritize quality foods to ensure digestion stays optimized.
This process takes PATIENCE.
Everyone is in a hurry for the body of their dreams. If you’re constantly thinking (stressing) about not being where you want to be, then you’re going to fail. Trust the process and continue to put in the work. Even if you’re tired of bulking or hungry while cutting, this is the hard work and consistent effort you have to put in to truly level up your physique and recomp your body.
The biggest thing to remember: body recomp is not one phase. It’s multiple phases and years of work. Don’t give up - just keep going!
