When the argument is about fat vs. muscle, a lot of opinions come to the surface, most with no valid proof. So many myths or misconceptions circulate around the world regarding this topic. To clarify any confusion about muscle vs. fat, we will discuss every aspect and possible confusion about fat and muscles.
Fat vs. Muscle: Overview
Fats are the main way of storing energy in the body. They are substances of different types, and they keep the skin healthy and uses vitamins. On the other hand, muscles are soft tissues that contain filaments of actin and myosin.
Even without these bookish definitions, we understand what muscle and fat are. Muscles are the meaty parts of the body that pretty much forms our body, and fat is the extra things we have in different parts of our body.
Even though we know about both fat and muscle but we often do not understand their importance, especially when we think about losing or gaining weight. Both muscle and fat can bulk you up or shrink you down, but which one is better? That, we will know next.
Muscle Weight vs. Fat Weight
Muscle weight is directly proportional to body weight. If you gain muscle, then you will gain body weight and vice versa. Increasing fat in the body can also increase body weight. However, while muscle gaining, one could be losing fat and becoming lean, yet he might gain weight dues to muscle gain.
If you are thinking about muscle weight’s and fat weight’s effect on body weight, the answer is simple. Your body weight will increase if any of muscle or fat increases, and the bodyweight will decrease if either muscle, fat, or both decreases.
Muscle Density vs. Fat Density
Muscles are way too denser than fat. Therefore, one kilogram of fat will take up a larger portion of space than one kilogram of muscle. Muscles are like tightly packed fibers, whereas fats are like droplets that stick to each other, having some empty spaces in between.
As muscle is a lot dense compared to fat, a cube of muscle will weigh more than the same cube size of fat. If you want to bulk up your body with muscle, you have to work out a lot and follow a proper diet. On the other hand, the slightest fats here and there can make you appear bulky.
Some Common Enquiries
Now that we have cleared out two main concerns: weight and density of muscle or fat and its impact on weight change, we will answer some of the common questions that come to everyone’s mind.
Which one is better? Muscle or Fat?
Muscles are better than fat. Though fat provides energy, yet excessive fat can cause harm to the body. On the contrary, muscles can make you appear lean yet pack you up with stamina. Muscles improve vitality and metabolism.
Furthermore, it is observed that muscles burn more calories in comparison to fats. Muscles burn calories during rest too. Burning calories by burning fat is a very challenging task as it takes a lot more hard work to do that.
Does muscle weigh more than fat?
As we have discussed earlier, muscles do weigh more than fat because of how they are constructed. Muscles are tightly packed fibers and hardly have any gaps in between. It is much more solid than fats. Fats are like lightweight droplets of substance that have gaps in between.
If you are curious about how much more does muscle weighs than fat? Then answer varies from person to person. Everyone has a different body so does their formation of muscle and fat. Generally, if we take the same portion of muscle and fat will not weigh the same, even though they look the same amount visually. Because of the varied density, the muscle will weigh a lot more than fat.
How much does muscle weigh?
The answer to this question differs depending on who is asking. Different people weigh differently, and depending on their body, their muscle weight varies. Then again, muscular people will have more muscle weight than lean or average people.
Bodybuilders who focus on bodybuilding, especially muscle-mass gain weight more than other people. Muscle weight largely depends on muscle density. The denser muscle a person has in their body, the more they will weigh.
On average, males between the ages of 20 to 39 have about 75-89 percent of muscle mass in their body. On the other hand, females in the same age group seem to have muscle mass of 63-75.5 percent.
Muscle mass for the men aged between 40-59, is between 73-86 percent, and for females, the percentage is between 62-73.5.
How much does Fat weigh?
Similar to muscle, the fat weight of a person’s body varies from person to person. Some people might have more fat, whereas some might have less. People with more fat in their bodies look bulkier.
The percentage of fat in one’s body varies depending on their gender and age. Males between the age of 20 to 49 tend to have a fat percentage of 7-23. Women of the same age group, on the other hand, contain fats between 6-28 percent.
Then again, if we look at elderly people, men aged more than 50 have fats between 16-25 percent, and the percent for women is between 22-33 percent for aged over 50.
To Sum Up
Muscle and fat both are essential for the body. However, you need the right amount of muscle and the right amount of fat in your body. Otherwise, you could face some severe health risks.
If you are thinking about losing weight, you should consider burning fat. On the contrary, if you are willing to gain weight, it is best to increase weight by muscle gain.
Moreover, fat vs. muscle is kind of an invalid argument as both are equally important for the body. Although excessive fat might harm you, the muscle will not. It will only make you look muscular.