If you are a younger man who is just starting to train, one of the main questions that you are likely to ask is, “how much time does it take to build muscle?”. There will be several elements that figure into the answer to this question. Here, we’ll examine some methods for gaining lean muscle mass, and what this specifically entails for different people.

Age is a Factor on How Long it Takes to Build Muscle

If you are too young you simply won’t have maturity and hormonal environment for proper muscle growth. You will need to be about 16 years old in order to begin gaining muscle. Most guys who train hard will experience their biggest surge in muscle growth at somewhere between 18-21. That being said, I do remember a guy in my high school who had an extremely impressive physique at the age of 17. Additionally, before the filming of “New Moon”, Taylor Lautner was able to increase his muscle mass substantially.

The Amount of Muscle You Have Built Previously is a Factor

Each individual has an “upper limit” of muscle that they are able to attain, without the assistance of drugs, and this limit is determined by a genetic predisposition. It is actually harder to gain MORE muscle mass if you are already near your predetermined limit. This is one reason that a workout that worked well when you first began training may not prove effective at a later point. So if you have already added 15 pounds of muscle to your body, don’t expect to add the next 15 pounds rapidly. These general guidelines will not hold true if steroids are being used, however. Then again, if you are using steroids no need to read about building muscle.

Another factor in building muscle is the effort and time you commit to your training.

Your own PERSONAL answer to “How long does it take to build muscle” is largely dependent on the time you spend each week on building muscle. We’ve all witnessed our favorite Hollywood celebrities get totally “buff” for a particular film project. The reality of it is, they have spent the MAJORITY of their WHOLE WEEK doing some INTENSE workouts! The actors that we mentioned commonly train 7 days per week, twice each day, when getting ready for a film. I wouldn’t suggest this for most people because this interferes too much with day-to-day life. Although the objective of gaining muscle is reasonable, you should not allow it to become an obsession that rules all aspects of your existence.

Here Are Some Realistic Time Frames When It Comes to Building Muscle

In the first 2 years that a novice is training, 15-20 pounds is a reasonable goal for muscle gain. This is assuming that the person is older than 17. Muscle growth comes much slower after that – at a rate of about two to three pounds a year. These are, of course, estimations for the “general public.” Keep in mind that other variables, like genetics, can alter your results. how long does it take to build muscle? As you can see, it’s not the same for everybody. There are just estimates.