The human body has over 600 muscles and they all perform different functions.
Muscles allow us to move from one location to another. They also pump blood throughout our bodies to keep us alive.
The more muscle mass you have in your body, the healthier, stronger and faster you should be.
There is no one weight for muscles. With hundreds of muscles in your body, they all weigh a different amount.
Also, not everyone weighs the same amount.
Three Types Of Muscle Groups
1. Skeletal muscles, also known as ‘striated’ muscles, are joined to the skeleton by tendons.
These muscles can be controlled by a person’s conscious mind and made up of 2 sub-groups called slow twitch and fast twitch muscles.
- Slow twitch muscles take longer to contract and help with aerobic activities, such as jogging.
- Fast twitch muscles contract faster and are used where speed and strength are required.
2. Smooth muscles, also known as ‘visceral’ muscles, are involuntary muscles covering internal parts of the body.
Such as the stomach, blood vessels and the intestines.
These muscles automatically move different substances through the body, including food and blood.
3. Cardiac muscles are involuntary muscles in the heart that continually pump blood through the body.
Does Muscle Weigh More Than Fat?
Naturally, a pound of muscle weighs the same as a pound of fat.
However, the density of muscle and fat is much different. With muscle having less volume and it does not take up as much space as fat.
It’s estimated that muscle is 15 to 20% more dense than fat!
~ Fun Fact ~
The largest muscle in the human body is the Gluteus Maximus, which weighs approximately 2 pounds. It’s one of the 3 muscles that make up the gluteal muscle group. Also known as ‘glutes’, which are found behind the hip and make up each of our buttocks.
Resources:
https://bamboocorefitness.com/one-pound-of-fat-versus-one-pound-of-muscle-clearing-up-the-misconception/
https://www.healthline.com/health/does-muscle-weigh-more-than-fat#fat-vs.-muscle
https://www.everydayhealth.com/weight/busting-the-muscle-weighs-more-than-fat-myth.aspx