gaining strength without gaining weight - possible?

Is it possible to gain strength while eating maintenance calories?

Anything is possible. Size does not equate strength and vice versa. It would be eaiser to gain strength eating above maintence but it is possible to do it. Just try to add 5lbs every time you can.

Gin Rummy: Simply because you don't have evidence that something does exist does not mean you have evidence of something that doesn't exist.(from the boondocks)

[<font]Yes you can get stronger without gaining weight.  However, you will reach a point where you stall on your lifts, and you will most likely need to start gaining weight if you want to continue to get stronger.

"True genius, in many fields of human endeavor, is often revealed in elegant simplicity."

- A smart man

It is what I have been doing for quite a while. It is slower, if you have a higher BF then you want, you will over time cut some of that fat... but it is a very slow way to go about it. (you didn't mention anything about fat I know, I just thought I would throw that in there, a little FYI)

But yes, certainly you can gain strength on maintenance. I have been eating at maintenance for a year now and I put over 60 lbs on my deadlift.

yeah i was just going to say

it will work to a point but then you will have to make eating adjustmants

bench - 305 lbs
squat - 505 lbs
dead - 550 lbs
only with a belt i dont care for suits

I'm getting stronger while losing weight, but I'm in the position hardway stated, higher BF% then any reasonable person would be happy with.  Eventually though you will have to change your diet.

24 yrs old
6' - 205 lbs
16% BF

Max (8/01/08):
Bench - 265 lbs
Squat - 455 lbs
Shoulder Press - 165 lbs
Deadlift - 385 lbs

Yes Its totally possible
I've lost 7 pounds in the last 3 weeks(being an ecto sucks) but have seen major increases in all my major lifts (20 + pounds on all lifts) so yes it is possible.

Current supps: Cell Tech,Superpump 250,Animal pak,ON 100% whey ,P-Plex,MDROL,Perfect cycle,ForMadrol Extreme,Hawthorne berry,SAw Palmetto,Red yeast,CoQ10

I've been around 120lbs for about 3 years now but strength has skyrocketed and still going up. There are a lot of other factors that determine strength other than weight.

5'6" 125/ Bench: 115 / Front squat: 90 / Deadlift: 205 / Pullups: 10

Follow me! www.twitter.com/bobbigoes

rippedchick


I've been around 120lbs for about 3 years now but strength has skyrocketed and still going up. There are a lot of other factors that determine strength other than weight.

What are the other factors?

Lifts: Bench-285, ATG Squat-485, Deadlift-495

Leg_Beast

rippedchick


I've been around 120lbs for about 3 years now but strength has skyrocketed and still going up. There are a lot of other factors that determine strength other than weight.

What are the other factors?

neuromuscular connection for the most part, essentially you are getting better at a lift and your body is able to recruit more muscle fibers more efficiently, aka you are stronger.

Exactly. I stress this a lot to newbies because you're not gaining cross section as quickly as your lifts go up.

5'6" 125/ Bench: 115 / Front squat: 90 / Deadlift: 205 / Pullups: 10

Follow me! www.twitter.com/bobbigoes

Don't confuse Strength with Size. One can be strong at any size.

Team Keine Ausreden
47 yrs young

just dont expect to gain size when eating under maintenance calories.

that would not work

[id=tmppasteie1218149165564]Current: 18, 5'11", 194

bench:290 squat:405 deadlift:420