For those lifting weights - how long until you saw results?

gingerbabyy

I started lifting weights a couple weeks ago and I can already see some great results... maybe it's partly just in my head but I'm liking the way my butt's been looking lately lol

Anyway, my question is... for those of you lifting weights (specifically ladies) how long until you saw the results you were looking for?

brandonrdn

Still haven't seen the results I'm looking for, but noticable results probably 2-3 weeks? Really all depends on how much you lift, how many reps, sets, types of exercises, etc. Shouldn't take too long to notice you're lifting certain amounts of weight easier, being able to do more, etc. Visual results could be deceiving as they are usually slow and over a period of time, so you don't notice it on yourself. Hope I helped

SergeantSunshine_reused

Honestly you aren't going to be putting on a lot of muscle mass quickly and especially not while eating in a deficit. In order to get more "tone" and defined you have to cut the fat that is covering the muscle. Building muscle takes a LONG time and a lot of hard work and proper macros. I have been lifting for about 4 years.

Here are 2 pics of a year ago and my now picture (also a pic of my current definition of my stomach in my profile)

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/415178-why-should-i-lift-weights-pics

thefuzz1290

You should start to see some results (hardening of muscles) within a few weeks. You should see visible results in about 4-6 weeks (if you're incorporating a good diet and have a good weight training program). Remember, it won't take a few weeks to undo what we have (or haven't done) to our bodies.

amiperreault

I started doing Body Pump classes at 24 Hour Fitness a few months ago, and I agree – my butt looked lifted after just a few weeks! Recently, I've gotten lots of comments about my arms looking thinner and more sculpted.

I've been told that weight lifting burns more calories than just cardio, (because you burn calories for hours after finishing exercise, even into sleep,) but the cardio is crucial to cut the extra inches of fat on top of the muscle, helping to show results faster.

Good luck, keep it up!!

gtunlimited

i dont lift weights but i do many many sets of chin ups(3 types), tricep dips, and push ups. I find it easy as i just do a set of two every time i get up and walk around the house. but before that i do "Insanity" its cardio circuit training and it is as suggested, insane! Noticed a change after a couple of weeks, now its been over a month. I now have pecks for the first time ever and my arms a noticably bigger and im just more toned all over. I recommend insanity but be prepared for pain.

ninerbuff

I've been told that weight lifting burns more calories than just cardio, (because you burn calories for hours after finishing exercise, even into sleep,) but the cardio is crucial to cut the extra inches of fat on top of the muscle, helping to show results faster.

Well almost true. Weight lifting will raise your RMR while steady state cardio doesn't. But cardio isn't crucial to strip off fat. That has more to do with calorie deficit. Cardio just helps out the process because you can't train the same muscle on consecutive days and many people will do cardio in between to keep burning calories.
You can lose fat without cardio.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

brandonrdn

I started doing Body Pump classes at 24 Hour Fitness a few months ago, and I agree – my butt looked lifted after just a few weeks! Recently, I've gotten lots of comments about my arms looking thinner and more sculpted.

I've been told that weight lifting burns more calories than just cardio, (because you burn calories for hours after finishing exercise, even into sleep,) but the cardio is crucial to cut the extra inches of fat on top of the muscle, helping to show results faster.

Good luck, keep it up!!

To go off of what you said, lifting burns more calories for a few reasons. The obvious one is that when you lift weights you're using energy, sweating, and increasing your heart rate which helps burn calories. The MAIN reason to add weight lifting is because muscle burns more calories than fat. Once you gain muscle, that muscle will burn more calories doing the same activity than fat, or not as much muscle, would. Muscle also weighs more than fat, so dont be discouraged if you're lifting weights and not losing weight. Tried to word that the best I could.

JennieAL

Bump

hybridscientist

apparently muscles bulk up after doing weights because of the inflammation caused by little tears in the muscle fibres... there's fluid surrounding them making them look more bulky.

true muscle growth won't happen until a few more weeks down the line.

shockedsoshocked

Bear in mind that for up to six weeks after starting a weight training program the strength gains can be mainly neurumuscular.

jonniemarie1

I have been working out avidly for two years now. I began with a trainer when i initially started at the gym, and i saw major results, but that is only because he made me lift as heavy as i could for 8-12 reps. My nutrition got really bad this past summer, so I gained some fat but still maintained my muscle. I ended up just doing steady-cardio and barely even lifted, and I saw zero results. (I still don't know why i thought that would work). Now im doing a mix of 15 minutes of HIIT days when i weight train, running 3 miles on my non lifting days, and weight training 4 times a week. I currently do pyramid sets when I lift, and I have seen AWESOME results in the past few months.

AKA Lift heavy and keep your nutrition in line (high protein!!!!) and you will see the muscle definition you want!

ArroganceInStep

1-2 weeks for small changes that aren't necessarily what you were trying to get but still give you a little bit of encouragement
3-6 months for small to medium changes in the areas you were hoping for
12-36 months for big changes in your overall body appearance
A lifetime for maintenance/further--smaller--improvement


That's my opinion of course.

MaximalLife

I began seeing and feeling some changes after a few weeks, but nothing dramatic until about 12 weeks.

paulslimjonesbryant

i started using weights when i was 14

lulabella72

At least 6 weeks! Really depends if you're been used to exercise before or if you're a first timer. First timers take a bit longer to wake up and engage the muscles, also depends how effectively and to what intensity you're working towards. As a rule 6 weeks if you haven't seen results in 12 weeks then rethink your moves you might not be doing the right movements to switch the muscles on.

Mixmode

It really depends on your fat percentage. Those that are lean will see results much quicker than those that could stand to lose a few lbs. In general though, 90 days to see significant results.

lexgem

I've been at it for 6 weeks and I have seen improvements in my posture, my butt looks much better than it did before, and my arms look great. I still look a little pregnant because my belly holds onto fat, but c'est la vie. I'm confident I'll lose the belly eventually.
That said, my self-esteem has also grown tons since I started lifting, because the progress in how much i lift has been so dramatic. So maybe I just like myself more.

trdy77

I've been on a lifting routine (circuit training) for about a month and a half at 3 times a week, I've started to notice the top part of my abs have definition the bottom half still has a lot of fat to melt off (my goal is ultimatley 70lbs loss) I'm super proud of my 2 pack though
And I've just this week started getting compliments..I think I'm at that stage where people are noticing something but don't want to assume weight loss in case they are wrong..BUT I haven't had anyone ask me if I was expecting recently which is a plus since I had been asked so much in the past that my response was: no, it's just a pizza baby.
Don't get discouraged if you aren't noticing yet..It IS working - like an onion, layer by layer (sorry to kinda quote shrek)

Rikki444

It truly depends on your body type. Some of us see results faster than others because we have the tendecy to be more muscular, for me.... I can see results in 10 days.

Smuterella

Well, I've noticed changes in my arms and legs already, both are firmer after just 1 month of weights, not even heavy ones - I'm still on the Barbie weights due to lack of funds....

LorinaLynn

I noticed some some change in less than 2 months. Here's changes after about 7 months: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/474504-seven-months-of-admittedly-inconsistent-strength-training

Yanicka1

I saw very nice results after 6 weeks. I am now 6 months and the results are very nice.

Beeps2011

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bahacca

My muscles are steadily getting stronger and "bigger" after 2-3 weeks, BUT, I know this isn't additional muscle mass. Nonetheless, the CHANGE makes me feel good and keeps me going, so it's all good!

porffor

I noticed some some change in less than 2 months. Here's changes after about 7 months: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/474504-seven-months-of-admittedly-inconsistent-strength-training

Thanks for sharing! I've posted on your thread, great work!!

Great thread - and inspiration is always good.

Amburglar

I would say about 4 weeks in I noticed small differences. One of my trainers once told me: "4 weeks until you see differences, 8 weeks until your family and close friends see it and 12 weeks until everyone else you know, see the difference." I think it's a good rule of thumb.

missikay1970

i would say i noticed a difference in about a month. after 3/4 months, i could REALLY tell. now i'm on month 6 and others are noticing

shamr0ck

Well, i'm not really even close to the final look i want, but i would say that at six weeks, i could see some noticeable improvement, and had lost inches. Strength wise, i gained by leaps and bounds, and after 9 months, i'm seeing a lot of good stuff.

Viva_Karina

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misskerouac

I saw results physically after a few months

But after a few weeks I noticed that I did feel stronger and that my posture was better.