Macros for 170 lb Men (Bulking, Sedentary)
Reviewed by Andrew Menechian, Head of Fitness at FitCommit
Exact macros for a 170 lb man on a bulking diet. Calculated from estimated lean mass, Katch-McArdle BMR, and a sedentary TDEE (desk job, little or no exercise).
2,292
Calories
~10% calorie surplus
145g
Protein
580 cal (25%)
257g
Carbs
1028 cal (45%)
76g
Fat
684 cal (30%)
Running a 210 cal/day surplus (10% above TDEE). Expect ~0.42 lbs of weight gain per week, building on 139 lbs of lean mass.
4 weeks
171.7 lbs
8 weeks
173.4 lbs
12 weeks
175 lbs
How These Macros Were Calculated
| Body Weight | 170 lbs |
|---|---|
| Estimated Lean Mass | 139 lbs (82% of body weight) |
| Lean Mass (kg) | 63.2 kg |
| BMR (Katch-McArdle) | 1,735 cal/day |
| TDEE (BMR x 1.2) | 2,082 cal/day |
| Target Calories | 2,292 cal/day |
| Daily Surplus | 210 cal/day (10% surplus) |
| Expected Weekly Change | 0.42 lbs gain per week |
BMR uses the Katch-McArdle formula (370 + 21.6 x lean mass kg), which accounts for lean mass and outperforms Harris-Benedict for accuracy across different body compositions. Lean mass estimated at 18% average body fat for men. Activity multiplier 1.2 = desk job, little or no exercise.
Macro Breakdown
| Macro | Grams | Calories | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 145g | 580 | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 257g | 1028 | 45% |
| Fat | 76g | 684 | 30% |
| Total | - | 2,292 | 100% |
Protein is set at 2.3g per kg of lean body mass (139 lbs lean mass for this man). Fat targets 30% of target calories with a minimum safety floor applied if needed; carbs fill remaining calories, with a 50g minimum for brain function.
Meal Split Examples
3 Meals Per Day
- Per-meal calories764 cal
- Per-meal protein48g
- Per-meal carbs86g
- Per-meal fat25g
4 Meals Per Day
- Per-meal calories573 cal
- Per-meal protein36g
- Per-meal carbs64g
- Per-meal fat19g
5 Meals Per Day
- Per-meal calories458 cal
- Per-meal protein29g
- Per-meal carbs51g
- Per-meal fat15g
Research shows muscle protein synthesis is maximized with 30-40g protein per meal. 48g per meal in 3 meals is within the optimal range.
What These Macros Look Like in Food
Protein: 145g
- 5 x 100g chicken breast (31g each)
- 24 large eggs (6g each)
- 9 cups whole-milk Greek yogurt (17g each)
- 6 cups cottage cheese (25g each)
Carbs: 257g
- 10 medium sweet potatoes (26g each)
- 5 cups dry oats (54g each)
- 6 cups cooked lentils (40g each)
- 6 cups cooked brown rice (45g each)
Fat: 76g
- 5 tbsp olive oil (14g each)
- 5 half avocados (15g each)
- 5 oz mixed nuts (14g each)
- 6 x 100g salmon fillet (13g each)
These are rough equivalents. Most meals contain a mix of all three macros. Use a food tracking app for precise logging.
These numbers use an estimated 18% body fat.
FitCommit measures your actual lean mass with an AI body scan from your phone camera, so your macros reflect your real body composition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are 257g of carbs used for in a bulking diet?
The 257g of carbs provides 1028 calories for workouts and brain function. Carbohydrates replenish muscle glycogen after training, supporting performance and recovery. On a bulk, 257g of carbs drives the calorie surplus needed for muscle growth. Rice, oats, and potatoes are the most efficient sources.
Should I recalculate my macros as I gain weight?
Yes. Recalculate every 10-15 lbs of weight gain. As your weight changes, lean mass, BMR, and TDEE all shift. For a 170 lb man bulking to 185 lbs, the TDEE shifts by roughly 145 calories and macros should be recalculated.
What foods hit 145g protein, 76g fat, and 257g carbs?
Protein sources for 145g: roughly 5 x 100g portions of chicken breast (31g protein each), or 24 eggs (6g each), combined with Greek yogurt or protein powder. Fat sources for 76g: about 5 tablespoons of olive oil or peanut butter. Carb sources for 257g: roughly 6 cups of cooked rice (45g each) or 10 cups of oats (27g each). A food tracking app is the most accurate way to hit these targets.
How does my activity level affect my 2292 calorie target?
Your Sedentary activity level uses a multiplier of 1.2, giving a TDEE of 2082 calories. If you were sedentary (1.2x), your TDEE would be approximately 2082 calories. If you were very active (1.725x), it would be approximately 2993 calories. The activity multiplier is the single biggest variable in your calorie target. Getting it right matters more than small differences in the macro split.
When to Recalculate These Macros
Not gaining weight after 2 consistent weeks
Add 100-150 cal/day from carbs. Your TDEE may be higher than the 1.2x estimate. Confirm you are tracking consistently before increasing further.
Gaining more than 1 lb per week
Reduce by 100-150 cal/day. Muscle growth rate is limited by biology. Excess surplus above that ceiling goes to fat. Target 0.25-0.5 lbs per week for a lean bulk.
Gained 10 or more lbs from this starting weight
Recalculate at your new weight. Higher mass means higher TDEE, so the same surplus percentage shrinks over time without adjustments.
Other Weights and Goals
Same Weight and Goal, Different Activity Levels
Related Resources
Get Your Exact Macros with FitCommit
These numbers use average body fat estimates. FitCommit's AI body scan measures your actual lean mass from your phone camera.
Precise lean mass = precise TDEE = macros that actually match your body, not an average.
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