Health - Wellness
Fact Or Fiction: Muscle Weighs More Than Fat
By MOLLY HURFORD
One of the most common health phrases is that muscle weighs more than fat, but the reality behind the saying isn’t so cut-and-dry. A pound of fat and muscle weigh the exact same amount; however, the difference between the two comes down to density and the space it occupies in the body.
Exercise physiologist Katie Heimburger, MS, explained, “The difference is that muscle is much more dense than body fat. Therefore, a pound of muscle will take up much less room in your body than a pound of fat.” Due to their identical weight, a scale may not accurately measure progress when fat loss and muscle development coincide.
Several methods to get a better measurement of fat loss include getting a body scan like a DEXA to find out your body composition or using photos to chart progress. Bodies can gain weight despite appearing slimmer, but neuromuscular physiologist Joel Seedman, PhD, noted that muscle gains are far less noticeable than increased fat.