Is It Possible To Gain Muscle Mass Without Getting Fat?
In order to build muscle mass, you are going to have to take in extra calories. That’s a plain, simple fact; it takes extra calories in order to build cells in the body, whether they’re fat cells or muscle cells. Most bodybuilders and weight lifters have to accept that fat gain is usually inevitable when trying to put on muscle. However, it is possible to gain muscle mass without getting fat if you consider a careful balance of calories and exercise.
When striving to add muscle mass, there are two common approaches. The first is eating as much food as possible in a specific period of time (usually 2- 6 weeks). This is commonly known as “bulking”. The second is to take a more balanced, moderate approach to this, and instead only eat 200-500 extra calories per day. This approach is usually more successful in gaining lean muscle tissue without a surplus of fat. However, the results are usually slower.
Anyone who is training naturally and correctly, without supplements, should aim for a half a pound to one pound of muscle per week, which equates to 2-4 pounds of muscle per month. This may not seem like a lot, but muscle growth is something that takes a great deal of time, especially if you’re taking a moderate approach to it. The higher your calorie intake, the more risk you take of those calories turning to additional body fat. In general, 200-500 calories above your regular calorie maintenance level will give you the lowest risk of additional body fat.
The safest, most successful approach to gain muscle without fat is to keep careful track of your current body fat levels and appearance. If you see too much weight gain turning to fat, reduce your calorie intake. Your body is different from everyone else’s, so what you read that worked for one person may not work exactly for you. The important thing is to go by real world results – what you see actually occurring within your body while adapting these changes. Remember, patience is key. Results aren’t going to happen overnight, and expecting them to will only set you up for a feeling of defeat and failure.
