How Fast Will My Muscle Go Away?

[GetSwoll]

When I hit periods where I can't work out for a bit, I was wondering how fast my muscle will go away.

[wantbigarms]

I don't know the scientific answer to this question. But for me, it seems like I lose muscle and strength very quickly...faster than the average person. A few weeks off seems like it can set me back to where I was a few MONTHS prior. Its very frustrating.

[gymBum]

Originally Posted by wantbigarms

I don't know the scientific answer to this question. But for me, it seems like I lose muscle and strength very quickly...faster than the average person. A few weeks off seems like it can set me back to where I was a few MONTHS prior. Its very frustrating.

That could be because of your diet - when you stop lifting, do you continue to eat healthy and enough to maintain your weight?

Your diet definitely plays a big roll in how long your muscle sticks around

[71DarkHorse]

Originally Posted by wantbigarms

I don't know the scientific answer to this question. But for me, it seems like I lose muscle and strength very quickly...faster than the average person. A few weeks off seems like it can set me back to where I was a few MONTHS prior. Its very frustrating.

I don't think it's as much muscle loss as much as it is your body losing it's neuralogical strength and possibly tendon strength. As your body becomes stronger, so do the singals from the brain that try to incorporate more muscle motor units to push more weight. Without training it for weeks, it slowly weakens. I think the strength of tendons/ligaments decline quickly too, but also rebound with a few weeks of training and you're back on track to where you were.... unless you do start losing muscle mass.

And I agree with the poster who said diet, in particular to losing muscle mass. If you keep a well balanced, and don't under eat, you should retain your muscle for a while...

Chaz

[mvp]

Originally Posted by GetSwoll

When I hit periods where I can't work out for a bit, I was wondering how fast my muscle will go away.

Everyone reacts differently- However if your diet is in contact then you shouldn't be worried about that too much as you will only lose a majority.

Regardless of how fast it goes away- It will come back rather fast when muscle memory kicks in to boost hypertrophy through diet and compound exercises i.e. squat, deadlift, bench press, ohp, etc.