Is there an actual limit of how much muscle you CAN gain weekly?

[bilat]

I've heard at most, a beginner not on steroids can gain 1lb LBM/weekly. I've also heard 1.5lbs/weekly and some even say up to 3lbs.

So, is there really a specific amount that is only POSSIBLE in most humans? If there is, are those figures even close to it, how many lbs weekly is it?

 

[louden_swain]

There is no answer to this. . . .it depends on the individual.

 

[bilat]

So is 3lb/week actual realistic for an individual with good genetics--a beginner?

 

[casualbb]

I think 1lb/week is optimal. You shouldn't be punishing yourself if you can't get more than that.

Or if you're Casey Viator, 15 lbs/week isn't unrealistic

I'd have to say, that's gotta be the world record for muscle growth.

-casualbb

 

[DrBones]

I really dont think its very realistic that anybody can put on 1 lb LBM a week....
If this was happening you'd be putting on 48 lbs of LBM a year...
IMO... a beginner will probably put on 20 lbs there first year if they are lucky and maybe 1 lb a month of LBM afterwards...

I think Im pretty lucky if i put on 7-8 lbs of LBM a year....

my 2 cents

 

[guldukat]

I really dont think its very realistic that anybody can put on 1 lb LBM a week....
If this was happening you'd be putting on 48 lbs of LBM a year...
IMO... a beginner will probably put on 20 lbs there first year if they are lucky and maybe 1 lb a month of LBM afterwards...

I think Im pretty lucky if i put on 7-8 lbs of LBM a year....

my 2 cents

I both agree and disagree with you, Bones.

Bones, Bones! The KLING...ONS are af...TER US!

I know what you mean insofar as I think it's silly someone would gain a pound of muscle for a year straight, or 52 lbs. by my math. However, I definitely think that for short-term periods of very hard work, a pound of muscle growth/week isn't impossible. And I'm not thinking about such guys as Casey Viator, rank beginners, or even the genetically elite or heavily juiced; honestly, I think genetically average or slightly better guys can gain that much, perhaps more, on a very good routine.

The question is how long they can sustain that progress before they need to back off and avoid overtraining which, again, varies from person to person a great deal.

 

[louden_swain]

Look at a pound of hamburger. . .. do you honestly think it is possible to gain that in a week? I think not!! Do you have any ideas of the metabolic processes that would have to occur to put on that type of tissue in a week? Remember, muscle fibers are small and can only grow to a certain size until they are damaged once again. The key is to be patient and let time build a physique. For people who think they can can 30lbs of muscle in 30 days. . . it is not possible.

 

[collegiateLifter]

no scientific constant. It tends to come in waves.

 

[argent]

Under optimal conditions 1 lb. a week isn't unrealistic for a beginner. For a more advanced trainer though, those are some very lofty goals.

 

[mbridge]

I'm a beginner on needsize's 5x5. Diet is very well in order, and I started about 4 weeks ago. I have been adding between 5-20 pounds on all lifts every week. So far I have gained between 5-6 pounds with no noticeable gain in bodyfat. This is just an isolated case, so who knows, but I would say that I have probably added very close to 1lb of LM per week. I'll let you know after another couple months of these gains continue.