Do You Gain Weight With Strength Training?

by Sherrill Webb
(Visalia, CA)

I've been going to the gym 3 days a week, doing 20 min cardio then 20-30 min strength training, but I feel that I gain weight afterwards, is this normal?

Aaron's Answer…

What you're probably feeling is the 'pump' that comes from doing strength training. This sensation is caused by blood rushing into your muscles when you've been using them, and makes your muscles look more defined when you leave the gym.

But do you really gain weight? No.

Your strength training actually breaks down your muscles. The blood rushing into them after you've worked out is removing metabolic waste products (like lactic acid), and during the next few days your blood brings nutrients to the muscle so that it gets re-built stronger than before.

You will gain weight as you put on more muscle, but that happens really slowly. You'll put on more lean muscle mass over weeks and months of training.