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

[casualbb]

True. The term "LBM" doesn't discriminate between actual muscle contractile elements and the general water/glycogen weight, which can be significant.

-casualbb

 

[Debaser]

1 lb of LBM a week is very good, and very possible until you're very close to your genetic ceiling (most people are much further than they think). However this is not a "limit" as I know people who have gained 2+ lbs of muscle (tested) in a week natural. Not long term however.

 

[mbridge]

Well I can't really say my training has been optimal. I still drink a few times a week, and I don't always follow the diet perfectly. I do train very hard when I am in the gym though. I don't think I'm making use of all my training potential since I'm going pretty lightweight still with squats, just trying to get the form down. Based on my experience, I would say it is possible to gain up to 2lbs. per week for a beginner like myself.

 

[epimetheus]

There may be no "one" limit on the amount of muscle you can add in a week. I think adding a pound of muscle in a week would rock the cat's ass! But think about it this way... even in the most optimal conditions, you certainly cannot add on more muscle than the protein you take.

Fats and carbs cannot be turned into protein, so the protein you build with is from the protein you eat. That could be one limit.

-Fatty

There are only.. what 11 essential proteins? The body can produce many types of proteins. I do believe that the body can use these for creation of muscle mass.

Muscles are 70% water, 23% glycogen and only 6-7 percent protein (and other minerals etc). It is possible to gain more muscle than you are consuming in protein. The limit on muscle growth is not in how much protein you can eat or not eat, but the natural limitations of the adrenal system of your body. The variations are relatively minor unless there is a disorder of some sort.

 

[teen1216]

Good article on this subject here:

http://www.wannabebig.com/article.php?articleid=68

 

[bilat]

I've been to WBB and their boards. Almost no one there even looks like they lift weights.