Which REP Beef Cut or Grind Actually Fits Your Training Goal

"What should I eat" is the wrong question when you're training with a specific goal. The right question is which macros you need this phase, and our lineup is built wide enough to answer it precisely — not just "eat more protein," but the actual cut and fat ratio that matches where you are in your training cycle.

Quick answer: Cutting calls for leaner cuts and our 90/10 ground beef to hit protein targets without excess calories. Bulking calls for 80/20 ground beef or our Primal Blend 80/20 to support a calorie surplus while still delivering complete protein. General maintenance works with either, and our Primal Blend line adds organ-meat micronutrients on top of any of these, useful in any phase.

The Actual Protein Targets, By Goal

A joint position statement from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians of Canada, and the American College of Sports Medicine puts general protein needs for physically active people at 1.2 to 2.0 grams per kilogram of body weight daily [1]. Independent nutrition research narrows that further by goal: roughly 1.2 g/kg for general fitness, 1.6 to 2.2 g/kg for muscle gain, and toward the higher end of that range, or slightly above, when cutting calories to preserve lean mass during a deficit [2]. These are real, specific numbers worth training around, not a vague "eat more protein" suggestion.

Cutting: Leaner Cuts, Same Complete Protein

When you're in a calorie deficit, every gram of fat you're not spending on protein sources is a gram you can spend elsewhere. Our 90/10 ground beef and leaner steak cuts like sirloin and tenderloin tip deliver the same complete amino acid profile as any other cut, at a leaner fat ratio that leaves more room in a tight calorie budget. Every cut still carries our full omega-6 to omega-3 profile, so cutting leaner doesn't mean cutting corners on the fat quality that is there.

Bulking: Let the Fat Ratio Work For You

A muscle-gain phase runs on a calorie surplus, and fat is calorie-dense — which makes our 80/20 ground beef or Primal Blend 80/20 a natural fit for this phase. The higher fat ratio helps you hit a surplus without needing to eat an unreasonable volume of food, while the protein content stays exactly as complete as our leaner grinds. The Primal Blend version adds beef liver and heart on top, delivering B12, iron, and zinc that support the recovery your body needs to actually use that surplus for growth.

Maintenance: Where the Lineup Gets Flexible

Outside of a specific cut or bulk phase, the exact fat ratio matters less, and this is where our full steak and cut lineup gives you room to rotate for variety without sacrificing the underlying protein or fat quality. A ribeye one night, ground beef tacos the next, a Primal Blend chili on a weekend — the macros stay in a reasonable range regardless of which cut you reach for.

The Omega Ratio Doesn't Change, Whichever You Choose

Whatever phase you're in, our independent lab testing confirms the same favorable omega-6 to omega-3 ratio across the lineup — approximately 2:1, compared to roughly 15:1 for conventional grain-fed beef [3]. It's the baseline across everything we sell, whether you're reaching for a lean cut during a cut or a fattier grind during a bulk.

Key Takeaways

• Protein needs run roughly 1.2 g/kg for general fitness, 1.6-2.2 g/kg for muscle gain, and toward the higher end (or above) when cutting to preserve lean mass
• Our leaner cuts (90/10, sirloin, tenderloin tip) fit a cutting phase; our higher-fat grinds (80/20, Primal Blend 80/20) fit a bulking phase
• Primal Blend adds organ-meat micronutrients — B12, iron, zinc — useful in any training phase, not just one
• Our ~2:1 omega-6:3 ratio, independently lab-tested, holds across the entire lineup regardless of which cut or grind you choose

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use meats produced through regenerative farming practices?

Regenerative, grass-finished beef fits every training goal, since it's the protein source, not the goal, that varies. The right choice is matching our specific cut or grind to your macro target — lean cuts for cutting, higher-fat grinds for bulking — rather than choosing whether to use grass-finished beef at all.

How much protein do I need if I'm cutting versus bulking?

General fitness maintenance runs about 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily. Muscle gain typically calls for 1.6 to 2.2 g/kg, while cutting in a calorie deficit often calls for the higher end of that range, or slightly above, to protect lean mass.

What are the benefits of regenerative meat vs. conventional meat in terms of nutrition?

Grass-finished beef carries a more favorable omega-6 to omega-3 ratio than grain-fed beef, independently lab-tested at approximately 2:1 for our beef versus roughly 15:1 for conventional grain-fed beef, on top of the same complete protein profile.

Which REP grind is best for building muscle?

Our 80/20 ground beef or Primal Blend 80/20 both work well for a muscle-gain phase, since the higher fat content supports the calorie surplus a bulk requires while still delivering complete protein and, in the Primal Blend, added organ-meat micronutrients.

Build your phase-specific order starting with 90/10 Ground Beef for cutting or Primal Blend 80/20 for bulking, or see the full nutrient data on our Lab Results page.

References

1. ↑ Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians of Canada, and American College of Sports Medicine, "Nutrition and Athletic Performance" position statement (cited via Healthline) — healthline.com
2. ↑ Examine.com, "Optimal Protein Intake Guide" — examine.com
3. ↑ REP Provisions, Lab Test Results page — repprovisions.com/pages/regenerative-grass-fed-beef-lab-test-results-rep-provisions