Training glossaryNutrition & energy
Caloric surplus
A caloric surplus is eating more calories than the body burns in a day, creating extra energy to gain weight.
Also known as: Calorie surplus · Bulking
To gain muscle efficiently, a small to moderate surplus usually works better than a large excess, which tends to become more fat than muscle.
A surplus only becomes muscle when combined with strength training and progressive overload — without adequate stimulus, the extra calories accumulate as fat.
Sources
Scientific references behind this entry.
5.0 on the App Store and Google PlayDownload for free
Train with method, not guesswork
SelfShapeAI applies these concepts for you: it builds the plan, explains each decision and adjusts based on your context.
