How quickly do you gain 1lb of muscle?

Uuuhlexis
Uuuhlexis Posts: 90 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I've been doing both cardio and strength training, and I'm just kinda curious about how quickly you gain muscle? My weight has remained consistent, but I feel like my body IS changing, so I'm wondering if I gained muscle weight? I mean, I just saw some one post that muscle weighs 5x more than fat.

Replies

  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    I've been doing both cardio and strength training, and I'm just kinda curious about how quickly you gain muscle? My weight has remained consistent, but I feel like my body IS changing, so I'm wondering if I gained muscle weight? I mean, I just saw some one post that muscle weighs 5x more than fat.

    1lb = 1lb, whether it's fat or muscle. Muscle is more dense than fat, so the same weight of it takes up less room.

    However, if you are eating at a deficit and doing cardio, it's highly unlikely that you put on any actual muscle. You probably are seeing changes, as you burn fat and/or you increase your strength, but your muscle is not actually growing.

    The extra pound is most likely fluid retention in your muscles - after a workout, your muscles retain water to help repair themselves. If you take a rest day or two and then weigh yourself again, that pound should be gone.
  • Lina4Lina
    Lina4Lina Posts: 712 Member
    Gaining a lb of muscle is very difficult. I think I read that a beginner woman can gain up to 5 lbs in the first year with heavy lifting. It is generally fluid retention which causes weight gain.
  • Uuuhlexis
    Uuuhlexis Posts: 90 Member
    OK thanks! So should I just start drinking way more water?
  • TheRealParisLove
    TheRealParisLove Posts: 1,907 Member
    The muscle you currently have is probably just being pumped full of water, which gives the illusion of adding muscle. Personally, I don't care if it is adding muscle or just extra water in my old muscles making me look good, I like the results regardless. You can gain water weight into your muscles overnight. Drink more water to keep your system flushed of toxins and you'll begin to see some progress on the scale.
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    Unless you are completely new to strength-training, you will not increase muscle volume if not on a calorie surplus. With that said, women can ideally gain 1 lb of muscle per month assuming a moderate surplus around 15% above TDEE.

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