While the number will be unique for you, most people can expect to gain between a half-pound to two pounds of muscle in a month with a targeted resistance training program and correct nutrition, usually including a surplus of calories. Gaining weight involves more than just adding muscle mass.
Most people can gain about half a pound of muscle in a month, while others new to training may gain two pounds. Prioritizing protein consumption, training consistently, and supplementing with creatine can help you build and maintain muscle.
With consistent training and proper nutrition, noticeable muscle gains can typically be observed within 4 to 8 weeks, with more significant changes appearing over several months. Regular testing through measurements, strength assessments, and body composition analysis can help you track your progress effectively.
Research has shown that under optimal conditions, the range of possible muscle gain rates for humans is about 0.5-2lbs per month. However, the actual rate any one person will achieve comes down to many variables. I would say that the main 3 are diet, training, and genetics/personal factors.
Takeaway: Most lifters should aim to gain 2-4lbs per month (0.5-1.0lbs per week) of lean muscle mass under ideal conditions (training 5 days a week, being in a caloric surplus, and ingesting a protein/carbohydrate rich diet and post workout meal).
Increase the intensity of your workouts instead of working out for long periods of time. Make sure you're getting enough calories and protein in your diet for muscle growth. Get plenty of sleep and give your muscles time for recovery. Try supplements for more strength, energy, and power, like creatine and HMB.
Under optimal conditions, some say you can expect to gain 1 pound (. 5 kg) of muscle per week. My results have shown that 2 lbs (1kg) per month is more realistic. A 2016 studyrevealed that strength training produced a 2.2 lb increase (1kg) increase in lean mass in 8 weeks.
Some studies have found that using a creatine supplement can help build muscle mass and improve strength. For most people, these gains tend to be modest. Unless you're an elite athlete in search of a microsecond advantage, creatine supplements alone are unlikely to deliver significant athletic gains.
“You can lift lighter weights, and as long as you lift them with a high degree of effort, they're as good as heavier weights in making you bigger,” he says. Using a home gym machine or even just your own body weight, like with push-ups or lunges, works.
Downtime between workouts (whether you're lifting, doing cardio or training for a sport) is when our bodies have a chance to actually build muscle. Strenuous workouts cause muscle breakdown, while rest allows our bodies to build it back up.
You may notice improved muscle definition, especially if you're new to resistance training. Noticeable Changes (Months 2-3): After two to three months of consistent training, you'll likely start seeing more significant muscle size and strength changes.
Generally it doesn't matter a whole lot the frequency you choose what's important is to keep going until you achieve the desired results. However, for most I recommend bulking for 2-3 months, then cut down for however long you need to get rid of the unwanted amount of fat. Everyone will need a different amount of time.
That's because your ability to put on muscle is individual—and can vary greatly based on genetics, age, gender, and the specifics of your workout program. Still, one study suggests that beginners can gain around four to seven pounds of muscle in their first three months of lifting (5).
There are other terms for this, such as build mode, but bulking is a common term for this caloric surplus. Dirty bulking is when an individual is in a caloric surplus to build muscle (build mode). However, the individual is eating foods that are carb dense, unhealthy, and ultra-processed out of convenience.
Research investigating lean muscle gain over a month is limited,2 but experts suggest that most healthy individuals can gain 1 to 2 pounds of lean muscle mass per month. This rate varies based on age, gender, physical health, genetics, diet quality, and training program.
Most beginners will see noticeable muscle growth within eight weeks, while more experienced lifters will see changes in three to four weeks. Most individuals gain one to two pounds of lean muscle per month with the right strength training and nutrition plan.
The 6-12-25 method is a bodybuilding training routine where you perform three sets of different exercises for the same muscle group: 6 reps of a heavy compound movement, 12 reps of a moderate weight exercise, and 25 reps of a light isolation exercise to maximize muscle growth.
For the majority of people, it takes roughly 130 quality hours to get fit. A lot of people ask me where I got that number. It's equivalent of training hard, an hour a day, 5 days a week, for 6 months. Your hours can't be half-ass hours, either.
By the second month, you'll notice that your workouts are becoming more regular. This consistency will lay the foundation for lasting results. You may start to see gradual weight loss or muscle gain, depending on your goals.
It's not something that will happen overnight or in a couple of weeks. It can take several months or even years to get ripped based on your starting point and how consistent you are with your diet and workouts.