Maintaining muscle?

[pete6032]

I used to be able to go to the gym 4-5 times per week and lift. Things have gotten very busy for me and allergy season is upon us so I'm no longer able to go as often, or for as long of a time period as I like. Over the last year I've put on some good muscle mass and would now be content maintaining my current state. Will I maintain my current state if I go to the gym less but lift the same weight and do the same routines? Or will I start losing muscles?

 

[BarneyBunch]

You might lose some muscles if you are just maintaining the same amount of weight and reps but going less frequently. I think the important thing for you is to monitor what happens to your body over time. Keep track of your muscle mass once you start going to the gym less to see if you need to increase the intensity of your workouts while you are at the gym. You might see a minimal amount of change in your muscle mass until you aren't as busy and are able to go more often.

 

[ArchAngel777]

Highly doubt you would lose anything measurable. I was quite strong back in my late teens and early 20's. I quit lifting for 5 years, got fat, then lost the weight. I still have the same mass as I did (I have a bit less, of course, due to age). Once you have a solid base of muscle, unless it is near your genetic max, it will likely stick with you, especially if you continue to lift somewhat regularly. I typically only lift once every 5-7 days, full body WO and am now 37.

 

[HutchinsonJC]

https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/what-happens-to-your-muscles-if-you-stop-lifting.2538754/

I'd have you read the above thread.

I'd add to it that for your specific scenario, if you can get to the gym once per week and hit all the major muscle groups, you'd likely by and large maintain most everything. You probably won't grow, and it's possible you lose a bit of endurance, but you won't be losing much. Plus, whatever you do lose will be a lot easier to gain back than when you were first trying to make the gains.

 

[Ventanni]

I used to be able to go to the gym 4-5 times per week and lift. Things have gotten very busy for me and allergy season is upon us so I'm no longer able to go as often, or for as long of a time period as I like. Over the last year I've put on some good muscle mass and would now be content maintaining my current state. Will I maintain my current state if I go to the gym less but lift the same weight and do the same routines? Or will I start losing muscles?

Like Hutchinson said, you'll keep most it assuming you're doing some maintenance work. Most likely, you'll put on some fat since you're not as active, but you won't lose what's underneath.

4-5 days a week is a lot, too. This rest may actually be really beneficial for you long term.