Can You Have Untoned Muscle?
The actual question that sparked this post was, "does toned muscle weigh more than un-
toned muscle."
This is a pretty interesting question. I've actually heard this one before, but didn't know it was as common a question as the previous post about "muscle weighing more than fat."
To answer the original question, skeletal muscle is
skeletal muscle and it can only manifest itself in one form with multiple fiber types. Therefore, whatever muscle you have, or will add, it will automatically be toned. An untoned form of it just doesn't exist.
Of course, you can have fat covering muscle and even some imbedded within it, but the actual skeletal muscle tissue remains consistent. A muscle biopsy would clearly reveal how your tissue is currently proportioned, but for now, if you feel as if your muscles are soft or a little flabby, you will more than likely want to work on strengthening those specific areas.
Also, keep in mind that muscle tissue is predominantly made up of water and by working out you will most likely increase the cell volume of that tissue. This will give it a "more toned" look, but again, the actual muscle fibers remain consistent.
I hope this didn't raise more questions than it did answers, and now that you know all muscle is good muscle it's time to start working it!
 older posts |
home | newer posts  |
| Fish for Dinner | | Diet & Weight Loss Blog | | Maintenance is Success During the Holidays |
Posted by: Anne | Nov 30, 2007 6:46:45 PM
Thanks for all that. I am afraid I am still perplexed. You explain that there is no such dichotomy as toned/un-toned muscle. (It seems like the fitness industry commonly refers to muscle-toning so I am gathering that it’s a terminology problem(?)
If I read correctly, you are suggesting that muscle is either flabby (not-so-strong) muscle or strengthened muscle, no? Then my question is: does strengthened (tighter, stronger muscle that seemingly occupies smaller space) weigh more than “not-as-strong”, less defined, “flabby” muscle? And if so, is there any way to estimate how much more the stronger muscle weighs relative to the flabby muscle (however that’s defined)? Thanks if you can respond to this.
Posted by: Tom Seabourne, Ph.D., ACSM, CSCS | Nov 30, 2007 7:30:44 AM
Muscle tone is actually a slight bit of tension in a relaxed muscle. It's a little extra nerve stimulation to the muscle - kind of like a body builder checking himself out in a mirror in a "half-flexed" state.
But to get that "toned look", your best bet is to lose the fat between the skin and the muscle (subcutaneous fat) by following the eating programs on ND.
Posted by: Taylor | Nov 29, 2007 9:04:01 PM
I have a site just like yours and I think we could benefit each other. I am interested in exchanging links with your site. I graduated with a degree in exercise and sport science from the university of utah. I currently have a free informational site where people can go and learn about the true principles of weight loss. My website is www.fatpersonaltrainer.com . I believe this will be a valuable addition to your link library because of my background and the information on my site. Please let me know if you are interested. I would put a link to your site on my site, if you add mine to yours. Please let me know if you are interested or not.
Taylor Tollison
