Muscle Weight

[karma1976]

I have a question about muscle weight and when it starts to affect the number on the scale.( I'm sure it's different with everyone).
I'm sure you've all heard some people complain when their weight doesn't budge as they begin an exercise program. A lot of folks say : Oh, it's just "muscle weight", which I don't think is the case. How long does it take for muscle weight to affect scale weight? Wouldn't the affects of cardio and fat loss counteract it? This question may be too vague but I was hoping someone could help me out.
And I'm asking this for personal reasons; I weight train 3-4 times a week and do cardio each time as well (45-60 min).

Thanks!!

[xtriple000]

as you said yourself its different with everyone so theres no way to tell with a scale how much muscle is put on and how much fat is loss. 1 thing though is muscle weighs more than fat as it is more dense, other than that its kinda hard to answer the question

[Grizzly]

It doesn't weight more. A pound of muscle weighs exactly the same as a pound of fat.

[deathgrip07]

Originally Posted by Grizzly

It doesn't weight more. A pound of muscle weighs exactly the same as a pound of fat.

What about a pound of feathers? How much does that weigh?

[role model]

A pound of rocks weighs the same as a pound of feathers

True, but the Volume of a pound of feathers is greater than the volume of a pound of rocks and the Volume of a pound of fat is greater than the volume of a pound of muscle.

The density of human muscle is about 1.06 grams per mililiter. The density of human fat is about .9 grams per mililiter. Thus, muscle is about 18% more dense than fat.

I'm the smartest MF on the planet just ask Griz.

[Grizzly]

Right, it is more dense, so that a cup of fat and a cup of muscle will weigh different. However, the weigh(like my pun?) it was phrased to begin with didn't properly clarify and went to propogate the myth that "muscle weighs more than fat". I don't even think the guy who said it even understood what he was saying.q

[xtriple000]

how could i not understand what i was saying if, and as role model clarified, i was right. You made the mistake of stating a pound of X weighs as much as a pound of Y. I stated it was more dense and now ill repeat myself muscle does weigh more than fat as if you took the same volume or mass of fat and of muscle the muscle would outweigh the fat. so now were comparing weights of two matters - muscle and fat, and as i said before, muscle weighs more. you can throw all the words you can find in the thesauraus in your post but that doesnt change math. so lets not try to correct me by restating my point. should be clear enough now. no hard feelings though, im not sure you even comprehended what that guy (myself) wrote before you hit the quick reply to reprove my point.

[karma1976]

Whoa. No need to argue guys.
I appreciate your replies although I don't think I phrased the question right. I guess what I meant to say is more like this: is it possible in, say a months time of steady weight lifting (after a period of inactivity) to blame that fact that the scale is barely budging on muscle weight? Is it physically possible to gain muscle weight that quickly?

[zkt]

You could do a water dispacement test to determine your total body density. As the ratio of muscle to fat decreases your density will decrease. Exactly how to do this is up to your injenuity.

[hotdr]

Originally Posted by karma1976

Whoa. No need to argue guys.
I appreciate your replies although I don't think I phrased the question right. I guess what I meant to say is more like this: is it possible in, say a months time of steady weight lifting (after a period of inactivity) to blame that fact that the scale is barely budging on muscle weight? Is it physically possible to gain muscle weight that quickly?

It is definitely possible. In fact, if your diet has not changed it is likely. Many people find that when they first begin an execise program their weight increases for a couple weeks. This even applies to cardio-only exercise programs. It is entirely possible that you gained a couple lean pounds and dropped a couple fat pounds.

Of course this is all speculation unless you start doing bodyfat tests. ZKT hinted at one type of bodyfat test, the underwater weighing. Less expensive (and less reliable) options include caliper measurements, infrared measurements and bioimpedance measurements. I guy at my gym used to do infrared measurements for $10 a test. Eventually I got an electronic bioimpedance tester from one of those liquidation stores. You should be able to find them for <$50. They can be innaccurate depending on hydration and your salt intake, but if you use one consistently it can be a valuable tool in your fitness program.

[FiberSynk]

Its possible for your weight to stabilize, but that usually only happens if either
1. You are advanced and know how to properly tweak your diet and training to lose fat and preserve most muscle mass.
2. You arent dieting hard enough/Training with enough intensity or volume which is more likelyt for beginners.

Ignor the scale for awhile, especially if you are lifting and eating to grow. Take a tape measure and measure everything, essentially if nothing is growing and nothing is shrinking you arent doing anything. If certain good areas are growing while others are shrinking then you are losing fat and building some lean tissue. If its one or the either adjust your diet/training accordingly.

[BILLYGRINGO]

YO,

hotdr has the idea, its called BMI body mass index, it should be in and around 29-35% (depending on your age, weight ,and height) for a bodybuilder basically saying that 29-35% of your body weight is made up of muscle, if its lower than you need to tip the scales and burn more fat either cardio, or diet. I like the diet part myself alot less energy wasting

so the rest of your weight is made up of water, bone,blood, your puny brain, and your sneakers.

but a pound of bricks is deffinetly heavier than a pound of feathers,

"and i ask you ? Am i lying "

gracias