BUILDING MASS WITH MINIMAL FAT GAIN

What in everyone's opinion (especially the competitive bodybuilders and pros here) is the primary key to building mass with minimal fat gain? I have no problem gaining mass - but it is nearly impossible for me to gain mass without gaining more fat than I would like. (of course, no one wants to gain fat - but it is nearly inevitable in a mass gaining cycle, unless you are a genetic freak!)

So which would you say is THE MOST important factor...

1) cardio
2) clean diet

Now, I know they're both important - but which is MOST important? Think of it this way - if you could only choose ONE - which one would it be? Of course, suggest other factor(s) if there are any.

In my opinion I would go for:

1. clean diet
2. calories (eat just over maintenance)
3. strength training
4. cardio

I have been successful at eating over my maintenance calories by 200 calories and doing 30 minutes of cardio five times a week. If I really want to push it in cardio I up my calories by 100 and do more cardio if I want quicker results.

Clean Diet for sure...I've got'n to where I am coach threw my clean eat'n habbits...5-6 meals a day and one free day a week. I only do cardio maybe once a week or every other week. I'm save'n the cardio and fat burners for when I really need to get super duper cut, like for a show, etc...

I agree Jeremy I myself if not on a specific program rarely do cardio but keep diet clean.

Clean diet, Cardio and being consistant with your trianing program

yeah coach in fact i am in a mass gaining cycle right now as well but i eat as clean as i can and i havent done cardio in a while and im not gaining much fat (well not much muscle either). I say just have a clean diet and do a little cardio if the diet isnt enough to cut you up

hope this helps ^_^

Being constant with the major things: Clean diet, cardio, Your training, Calorie intake & Sleep.

Thanks guys, really appreciate the insights so far. As many of you know, I'm an experienced bodybuilder and know how to put everything together to build mass, eat clean, and train hard. Remember that I'm looking for the ONE PRIMARY element that you feel is most important for mass/no fat gain... cardio or clean diet (or other). I'm already seeing a pretty strong consensus for clean diet...

Clean Diet...lots of CLEAN CALORIES.

Jeremy - do you use use the cycle method - mass/cut - etc.? Or do you basically just stay in the same mode. Kind of sounded from some things you've said that you basically stay pretty consistent...

Clean diet is needed for everything whether adding quality mass or losing fat

Actually coach I've got stronger, more cut, and a lil bigger the past few months by just mix'n up my training style a bit n keep'n my diet basically the same, I really don't count calories right now in my "off season" lol, cause I just try to have my 5-7 meals a day....My goal at this time still is just to put on a little more size. My cutting phase wich will start in Jan will be more fine tuned. Higher reps 1st....cardio a few weeks later....then a fat burner a few weeks later than that.

I tend to do the same thing Jeremy. I stick with basically same diet but play around with carbs. For workout most of time I do compound exercises actually this program I am now is the first time I have really used isolated exercises in over a year LOL.

I use a two hundred calorie window and usually when I want to really work on getting cut Ill do 2hrs exercise 1 hour cardio, 1 weight training and just track and watch how my body responds. when I cant exercise or have to only exercise a half hour because of the day (busy) I reduce my calories from 100 to 200 and when I bust my butt and my body is telling me its hungrier today I can up it 100 to 200 calories. Just a system that seems to work okay so far. but i agree with the rest. from my experience (little though it may be) I would say 75% diet and 25% training HOWEVER- I am not looking to add the size of mass fellas are so this could vary for each individual.

clean diet :)

diet diet diet...cardio is overrated...

Diet

Also IMO healthy fats 30% of total cals from healthy fat when cutting,