Question of the Day

It's a common goal: to lose fat and gain muscle. Hardly anyone wants to lose muscle with fat or gain fat with muscle. But how does weight loss affect strength, and does losing weight automatically mean you can bench/squat/or lift more? The answer is ... not really.
The truth is, despite what lots of programs promise (you'll gain strength and lose fat) is that many people actually find themselves somewhat weaker when losing fat.

It makes sense. To gain strength and muscle, your body requires full recovery. By definition, if you are losing fat, you are taking in less energy than your body requires. This means it's not getting everything it needs (that's why it is forced to tap into your fat stores). It is not uncommon for people to lose some lean mass and find themselves weaker.

Of course, it doesn't have to be the case. Strength is a function of neurological efficiency, in other words, your body using your muscles more efficiently. So even if you are losing weight, there is no reason why you cannot build strength. In fact, if you are getting weaker, I would argue you are either not providing adequate nutrition, not resting enough, or aren't following the right routine.

A good, balanced routine will allow you to preserve and possibly gain lean mass while losing fat, as well as increase strength. This is especially so for beginners, who are likely to see great leaps in strength if this is their first round of training.

Everyone is different, and there is no set formula. Losing weight won't automatically improve your strength, but losing weight the right way will lead to better overall health and pave the way for positive fitness habits that, over the long term, will leave you stronger and more fit.

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