When you’re ready, check out the Bear Mode Meal Plan
“Bear Mode” is a powerful strategy for anyone serious about gaining size and strength. It’s a commitment to eating big, lifting heavy, and embracing the growth process. But it’s not a simple case of “eat everything in sight.” A smart approach is a successful approach.
The question isn’t just whether you should do it, but how you should do it based on your body and your goals.
To help you find that answer, we’ve built a tool based on established metabolic formulas and sound fitness principles. It won’t give you overly complex advice, but it will give you a sensible, calculated starting point for your journey.
Find Your Calculated Starting Point
Enter your details below. The calculator will use the standard Mifflin-St Jeor formula to estimate your daily calorie needs and recommend a path forward.
Bear Mode: A Calculated Approach
The Pillars of Building Mass
Whether you’re going full bear, lean bulking, or recomping, the foundational principles are the same. The visual guide below breaks down the four pillars of building mass, highlights the core pros and cons of an aggressive bulk, and includes a call to action to help you on your journey.
Caloric Surplus
Consistently eating more calories than you burn to fuel growth.
Heavy Lifting
Focusing on compound exercises to stimulate maximum muscle response.
Adequate Rest
Prioritizing sleep and recovery to allow your muscles to repair and grow.
The Cut
A planned phase of fat loss after the bulk to reveal the new muscle.
The Good & The Bad
Pro: Max Strength
You will get significantly stronger, faster than other methods.
Pro: Food Freedom
A flexible diet with more calories makes eating enjoyable.
Con: Fat Gain
You will gain body fat along with muscle. It’s part of the process.
Con: The Cut is Hard
The subsequent fat loss phase requires significant discipline.
Ready to Choose Your Path?
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Beyond the Numbers: A Sustainable Strategy
The calculator gives you a starting point, but long-term success comes from understanding the strategy behind the numbers.
Who is This For?
- Bear Mode: Best for those who have a hard time gaining weight or are starting from a lean physique and want to maximize strength. You must be mentally prepared to gain some body fat.
- Lean Bulk: An excellent choice for almost anyone. It’s a patient, sustainable way to build muscle over time while staying relatively lean and in control.
- Body Recomposition: Ideal for beginners. If you’re new to lifting, your body has an amazing ability to build muscle and lose fat at the same time. Eating at maintenance and focusing on getting stronger is your superpower.
This is a Community Tool—Let’s Build it Together
This calculator is a version 1.0. It’s built on solid principles, but we know it can be even better. Our goal is to create practical, no-nonsense tools that help our community thrive.
And that’s where you come in.
Did you find this tool helpful? Was your recommendation what you expected? What features would you like to see next?
Leave a comment below with your feedback. Subscribe to our newsletter to follow along as we listen, learn, and adapt our tools based on what our community needs. Let’s get better, together.