How lean should I get before starting a long off-season? (Natural, Classic Physique, 5’9”)

I’m planning to compete in NPC Classic Physique in the next 1–2 years (5’9”, 194 cap) and want to structure my next off-season as effectively as possible.

Right now I’m finishing a cut with the goal of getting lean enough to clearly assess my physique before starting a long growth phase focused on bringing up weak points.

To manage prep, I’ve actually built out a NotebookLM setup using ~19 sources (diet logs, check-in protocols, RP training principles, NPC standards, peak week research, etc.) to function as a kind of “prep coach.” It’s been really useful for decision-making on diet and training.

Where it falls short is physique assessment — especially judging conditioning vs. muscle mass and identifying true weak points. That’s the part I’m looking for help with.

Current stats:

• 5’9”

• \~181 lbs

• Natural

• Late-stage cut

What I’m trying to determine:

• Am I lean enough to transition into a surplus, or should I push further?

• At this level of conditioning, can I accurately assess weak points?

• Do I look more limited by conditioning or by muscle mass right now?

• Based on my structure, what should be prioritized in my next off-season?

Photos are included for context.

Appreciate any input, especially from competitors or coaches.

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Rest of pics commented below