Does building muscle mass really raise your resting metabolic rate, or is that just one of those...?

Question

..cliches that everyone parrots? Anyone know of any easy to find studies proving that it's true?

Answer 1

It's true. But it's also a simple way to get more people to exercise, IMO. Here is an article for you to read over...

"...10-kilogram difference in lean mass translates to a difference in energy expenditure of 100 calories per day."(1) In other words... 10 extra calories for one kilogram (or 2.2 lbs.) of muscle.

Answer 2

Yes.... Building muscle mass really help raise your metabolism. Your metabolism is highly correlated with how much muscle you have.

For example, 300 lbs bodybuilder with less than 2% body fat may consume more than 5,000 calories per day just to maintain his/her muscle mass. That is because muscle is metabolically active and requires a lot of calories (energy) to keep it.

If a 300 lbs bodybuilder with less than 2% body fat eats under 1,000 kcal per day or less, I guarantee that he will lose his muscle mass.

So keep on racking those weights.

Yours in health,
Arnel

Answer 3

I read something similar to this in a magazine a while back. Basically it said that when you build muscles, even when you're sitting around later, your muscles still burn more energy than fat, and therefore your metabolism is increased

so basically muscles burn calories even when you're not actively exercising them. that's the impression the article gave

Answer 4

Muscle requires more calories than fat to maintain, so your resting metabolic rate would be higher because your body is working harder to keep the muscle

Answer 5

The more muscle you have, the more energy it (muscle) needs, period. The more energy it needs, the more calories are expended. So YES, building muscles increases your resting metabolic rate.

Answer 6

I know what you want, but I don't have a study handy. There is one from Tufts and a separate one from Yale if you're better with Google than I am.

I thought you might like this one anyway:
http://www.medbio.info/Horn/Time%206/muscle_metabolism_2.htm
.

Answer 7

muscle burns more calories so yes it does raise your resting metabolic rate.

www.marika.com/shop/fitnesstips.aspx

Answer 8

Eat vegetables seeds nuts and lean proteins

Answer 9

you should discuss this with a trainer or doctor