As the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, most lifters begin to shift their emphasis from achieving six-pack abs to adding slabs of new muscle—but that doesn’t mean you can’t aim to add mass to your physique any time of year. While it’s necessary to add some body fat when looking to significantly increase mass, there’s no need to wash away all of your cuts and watch your gut overflow from your favorite jeans during a bulking phase. 

That’s precisely why we’re here—to help you add plenty of lean muscle without the bloat that often accompanies bulking up. If you follow the tips below, you’ll not only be able to get bigger and stronger, but also keep much of the definition you need come summer.