A Pound of Muscle weight more than and a Pound of fat?

OK, lets see if we can clear this up....

1) A pound of muscle and a pound of fat both weigh a pound.
2) A pound of muscle and a pound of fat by "volume" muscle will weigh more.
3) 50 cubic inches of fat and 50 cubic inches muscle is still 50 cubic inches of mass.
4) 50 cubic inches of fat will weigh less than 50 cubic inches of muscle because there is more mass to muscle. Fat cells are less compact that muscle cells. Muscle cells are more compact so they have more mass per volume.

So kiddies, what does this tell us???

Does muscle weigh more than fat? Sure, when you are talking about mass per volume. But does a pound of muscle weigh more than a pound of fat, no. They are still both a pound..

Thank you for participating and listening to CD's Science 101 lesson for the day.

BEST. THREAD. EVER. Thanks for sharing for those who are confused. :bigsmile:

3) 50 cubic inches of fat and 50 cubic inches muscle is still 50 cubic inches of mass.

I love the spirit here, but as a biology prof I have to point out that cubic inches are a measure of VOLUME not mass. (Your point is correct, but little things like this can undercut the integrity of your point.)

That's like a question my high school algebra teacher used to pose...which would you rather have dropped on you, a ton of bricks or a ton of feathers. Doesn't matter, a ton is a ton is a ton....still 2000 pounds, unless it's a metric ton, which is where he was always going with that example. Trying to teach metric measurements.

So I've always known this and understood it, but I still get confused with the numbers I see on the scale. For example, I've recently started working out more and I think I've definitely built a little more muscle. The last time I took my measurements they had not changed however, but my weight has gone up 3 lbs.! I am recovering from an eating disorder, so seeing a three pound gain is something that would usually give me extreme anxiety, but I'm trying to stay positive and not worry because I feel as if I am doing everything right. So my question is, is it possible that I've gained weight from building muscle? Or have I actually gained fat as well? How much will my weight go up or fluctuate while building muscle mass? Does anyone have any personal experience to share?

Continuing the science lesson -- how difficult is it to put on a whole pound of muscle? Wouldn't it be supremely difficult to do so in a short period of time (say, one week) when one is eating at a calorie deficit?

But what about a pound of fat vs a pound of hair?

Comeon there, we know you don't have that worry

Oh no they didnt just say that!?! :laugh:

Thank the gods, omeone else who understands that 1lb of x weight the same as 1lb of Y whether it's muscle and fat or brick and feathers. 1lb is still 1lb. I apploud you for having the patience to explain it so clearly. I uually just roll my eyes and click away in disgust.

Who doesn't know that a pound of whatever weighs a pound? When people say muscle weighs more than fat, I sincerely doubt that is what they mean.

if only the people who wanted to argue with me over this last night would read this thread....

To sum it up: A pound is a pound whether it's fat or muscle or gray matter or bionic implant. Muscle is more dense than fat. If you have the same volume of both, muscle will outweigh fat.

I think we can appreciate the spirit of the myth. I think I've heard trainers say this in the gym, too. But you're right. It's a definite misnomer.

Great post...unfortunately sooooo many are still going to miss the point.



Ladies---THROW OUT THE SCALE! (yes I am yelling, it is a point that needs to be yelled)

If you want to measure your progress, do measurements and go by how your clothes are fitting and how you feel. That number is going to drive you insane.

When I was at the height of my fitness, I actually weighed more than when I was at my "skinniest". But I was toned and lean and fit. Where as, when I weighed less, I was what they call skinny fat. I was smaller but I was lumpy and jiggly. :laugh:

LOL thats like asking which is heavier - a ton of feathers or a ton of lead.

Both weight a ton, material is irrelevant.

That's all fine and well until you start talking about reams of paper... then all your fancy "math" and "science" goes out the window.

When you pick things up with two hands, they are less heavy. It's science.