Started by timsen, June 24, 2015 · 2 Replies · 3,515 Views
Just wondering because obviously its not that good to gain weight, but to get stronger wouldn't you need to eat at a slight calorie surplus? and as you get stronger your muscle will most likely grow bigger and you'll add weight very so slowly?
Also, to get the most effective and best strength results is it okay to gain 2 lbs. / month, training 4 days / week?
Curious to know.
Thanks
Yes, you probably should be eating at a surplus for strength gains, to help with recovery and hypertrophy. 2lbs/ month would be a good rate of muscle gain.
There is nothing wrong in gaining muscle to get stronger. Unfortunately a lot of broscience about sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar hypertrophy has been spouted over the years and people now are apprehensive about gaining weight just in case it is 'unfunctional'??!! A larger muscle has the potential to be a stronger muscle, all other factors being the same.
Check out this article about why muscle gain can help you with strength gains: http://www.strengtheory.com/powerlifters-should-train-more-like-bodybuilders/
These articles will explain why you shouldn't be afraid of building muscle: http://www.higher-faster-sports.com/nonfunctionalmyth.html
http://baye.com/myth-of-sarcoplasmic-versus-myofibrillar-hypertrophy/
Well, with most adolescents you'd generally want them at a slight surplus if they are still growing.
Unless you want them to be 4'7" tall and 73 pounds at 17yo and still pre menstrual from Romania in the 70's.
#2/month continuously over a year would be a LOT, probably not feasible. For a few months of a mature male athlete? Sure.