How much more does muscle weigh than fat?
It’s a question that’s been asked since the beginning of time (well, probably) and now we’re finally on hand to settle the age old “does muscle weigh more than fat?” debate. Similar to asking “what weighs more, a pound of feathers or a pound of bricks?” a pound is a pound, no matter what it is that we’re measuring!
However, just like a pound of feathers would take up more room than a pound of bricks, the same can also be said about fat and muscle. Fat is much more softer and fluffier and takes up more space in the body, whereas muscle mass is much more dense and compact and takes up less space.
So the answer is no, muscle does not weigh more than fat! It's just made up of a different structure to fat, making it denser.
Muscle and fat also serve two very different purposes. Muscle is a much better blood supply and boosts your metabolism, burning more calories while your body rests. Fat serves as an insulator to trap in heat and keeps your body warm. So, the more muscle you have, the better your metabolism will be and the more calories you’ll burn while at rest.
Have you ever wondered why two people who weigh exactly the same look totally different? This is because one can have a high percentage of body fat, and the other a high percentage of muscle. A higher percentage of body fat can make the body look softer and more rounded, whilst more muscle will make the body appear more sculpted and toned.
How can I increase my muscle mass?
Start lifting weights
Maximize those muscles by lifting weights. By getting those muscles working by lifting heavy weights, this stimulates damage in your muscle fibers causing your body to respond with muscle growth. By lifting heavy weights, you're training your body to repair damage with more muscle growth essentially.
Eat more protein
Getting more protein in your diet is crucial for increasing muscle mass. Protein helps keep your body fuller for longer, helping you to eat less therefore decreasing the amount of fat in your body.
Chicken breast, eggs and Greek yoghurt are all great sources of protein to incorporate into your everyday diet.
Increase your calorie intake
Your body needs energy to grow muscles, and for it to do that it you need to eat more calories than you burn. As well as protein, your body needs carbohydrates. Carbs and protein are the building blocks to both build and maintain muscle, carbs fuel your body while protein builds and repairs it. Eating both before a workout is the best way to get the most out of your muscles.