Cut weight or increase energy expenditure?

[Brody Breedlove]

I have been training for 2-3 years although I would only consider the last year or year and a half to be serious training. In the last 6-8 months I have become interested in and started implementing powerlifting into my training. (specifically the MADCOW program) Seeing as I have only been running a powerlifting style program for not even quite a year I am happy with the progress made. Body weight has went from 210-215 to steady around 230 (I am 6’5”). Bench has went from 260 to 315 1rm. Squat has went from 335 to 410-415. I have also went from never deadlifting consistently (once every couple months at a very submaximal weight) to deadlifting 405 for five reps at rpe 8.5/9. Press is subpar at 165-170 lbs for a single, and have only consistently trained the press for the last 6-8 months (having previously believed pressing cause shoulder impingement, sad I know.) I have went from about 180 lbs soaking wet at around 18 years old (6’ 5” then as well) to now at 21 going on 22 to a body weight of 230. I am now getting to the point where I would consider myself starting to get fluffy (my guess would be around 20-25% body fat) I am wondering if I should go on a focused gradual cut and then start a much cleaner leaner bulk or if I should just continually increase workload and energy expenditure to cut weight in more of a recomposition effort? My end goal is to be a somewhat lean (13-16% bf) 235-245 lbs. I would like to begin competing in local powerlifting completions as well. I am more willing to provide any extra information needed. Thanks for taking the time to read this and for all the time you put into giving people with a passion for health and lifting a solid source of information that they can trust.

[Jordan Feigenbaum]

I wouldn't cut just yet. You're young, tall, and still in a good spot with your training. Cutting would just delay/impair future development.