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Original poster

Does weight training cause temporary water retention??

8 replies

Oldisthenewblack · 30/12/2015 19:47

I was a bit disheartened today when I stepped on the scales to find them telling me I'd put on 2lbs. If anything, I've been eating less lately. I have been trying to work out a bit more, including weights, and I heard something about weight training causing water retention whilst the muscles recover: does anyone know anything about this?

I'm hoping there's some truth in it and it can be held to account for my weight gain!!!

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suzannecaravaggio · 31/12/2015 17:23

the pump that you get from training happens when the muscle become engorged with blood
the 'bro's' who use steroids will be the ones getting the biggest pump

tentothesix · 31/12/2015 17:16

Weight training does because fluid goes to muscles to aid recovery. Come to my gym on a Friday early evening and watch the bros get "pumped" ready for their night out. They want to look bulked out! Grin

suzannecaravaggio · 31/12/2015 17:06

any exercise training will likely cause an upregulation of gylcogen storage with associated water storage

KeyserSophie · 31/12/2015 17:01

Weight training does cause fluid retention around the muscles when you first start. I gained about 5 lbs when I first started. It went away after a few months though

Original poster
Oldisthenewblack · 31/12/2015 15:51

And MrsMook - that's useful to know, as that's what I found too. I'd rather be training and heavier than not training and lighter.

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Original poster
Oldisthenewblack · 31/12/2015 15:50

I agree to some extent, thedevil, but as I have a lot of fat to lose, the muscle gain could not match the amount of weight lost (or I'd be the best bodybuilder EVER), so ultimately, the scales should show a loss if I'm doing the right things. However, I agree that weighing often and worrying about the odd pound or so is pointless - and I am guilty of that at times. As it happens, yes, I don't feel TOO bad, size wise....so will be hitting the gym again later Grin

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thedevilinmyshoes · 31/12/2015 09:54

I always drop lbs when I have a break from the gym, and gain (but shrink) when training hard. That number on the scales is wholly arbitrary and gives no useful information about your progress at all.

MrsMook · 31/12/2015 09:24

I weigh more when training for half marathons. When I've got past the initial recovery and resume running casually, several pounds disappear. I'm slightly heavier on days where I feel stiff.