Will I lose my muscle if i stop lifting weights this summer? Please help

rphilipp78

I'm a college student, and throughout the school year I have access to the fitness center on campus, which I've used every day for the past year. I always used to work out prior to this, but this was my first year really "weight lifting", and my body has become very toned because of it. I want to keep lifting, but I can't because I'm home for the summer, and I don't belong to a gym (and really can't afford a membership.) As far as "lifting" goes, I squat pretty heavy, (for me at least... I max out at about 140 Ibs.) I ALWAYS do my squats and weighted lunges. I also use the weight machines for arms a lot. I don't typically use weights for ab workouts, but sometimes I like to add in a 15 Ib. These are the things I won't be able to do this summer, and it freaks me out because I feel like I'm going to lose all my hard work. It might sound silly, but i'm so happy with the way my butt looks, and I know it's a result of all of my heavy squatting and lunges. I know that I can still do bodyweight squats, lunges, ect., but it's not the same as with weights. So my ultimate question is, Will I lose my muscle If I don't lift this summer?

P.S., I'm a cross country runner, and I have a pretty intense training schedule this summer. I will be doing a lot of hard cardio, (7/8 miles EVERY day.) I'm afraid this will deplete my muscles even more... Or am I wrong?? Please help. Thanks so much!

SideSteel

I would assume that yes, you would. However, I would also assume that you will regain it at a faster pace once you're able to resume training.

alyhuggan

Do calisthenics to try retain as much as possible. You will probably lose some muscle but as the above says you will regain at a fast rate. As long as you aren't in a heavy deficit combined with calisthenics you should be able to retain most, if not all of it.

If you have been lifting consistently for a year it may be worth investing in a half cage, barbell and weights for when you are home. It's fairly expensive but I'd say worth it in the long run.

RoxieDawn

The answer is yes. So when you stop working out your muscles they will deplete or otherwise shrink. Since you are already an athlete I presume 3 to 4 weeks and after that you will start to lose strength in those muscles as well. I predict running cross country will keep your leg muscles engaged..

When you continue to lose weight at a deficit you will also lose muscle as I understand from your profile you want to lose 13 or 14 pounds..

They way I understand it decreases capillary density which begins first and then goes strength (strength can remain up to 4 weeks average).

DesertGunR

Without access to a gym some muscle will be lost if you don't do anything but cardio. However, people have used their own body weight for years to gain or maintain muscle mass. Many of us that were deployed didn't have access to gyms, we used the TRX system as well as other basic calisthenics to accomplish these same goals.

Hope that helps and Good Luck!

JoReddBowe

Probably, yes. BUT I still recommend doing body weight squats, lunges, etc and maybe spend the summer doing plyometrics instead.

tomatoey

Try bands. This right here is crazy.
http://bretcontreras.com/band-glute-exercises-for-the-win-erin-mccombs-intriguing-training-methods/#comment-1330036