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!