Reply With QuoteMeasurements would be the go I guess but I've never been into that much.
The other is bodyweight accounting for bf%. i.e if you WERE 200lbs at 15% and now your 210lbs at 10% then you know that you previously had 170lbs of muscle and NOW you have 189 lbs of muscle.
Personally though, I base it on my lifts. If I'm getting stronger for reps then as far as I'm concerned I'm making gains.
How do you tell you're making gains?
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12-20-2004, 07:46 AM #1///M Rider
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How do you tell you're making gains?
If adding muscle mass is your goal...how do you go about determining that you're doing that?
Early on...the changes are visible to me in a mirror...etc. As time progresses and gains slow a bit, it becomes harder to tell.
DO you measure periodically? DO you base it on what you're lifting?
thx!Maximus:
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12-20-2004, 08:12 AM #2My Little Man
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What this means is that when we drop a ball and it falls to the ground, it wasn't the ball that moved (down to the ground), but the ground that moved (up to the ball)
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12-20-2004, 08:13 AM #3Super Moderator SUPER MODERATOR
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Measure once a week, or once every 2 weeks - whatever you decide. I might suggest bi-weekly because fluctuations may throw you off.
Same time of day would be suggested.Motivation Bench form Charles Poliquin When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. Lao-Tzu
Disclaimer: All health, fitness, diet, nutrition, anabolic steroid & supplement information posted here is intended for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as a substitute for proper medical advice from a medical doctor. We do not condone the use of anabolic steroids (AAS), all information about AAS is for educational and entertainment purposes only. If you choose to use AAS it's your responsibility to know the laws of the country that you live in. Consult your physician or health care professional before performing any of the exercises, or following any diet, nutrition or supplement advice described on this website.
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12-20-2004, 08:29 AM #4My Little Man
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Yeah what I said is crap. If you weigh 200lbs and have 15% bf you don't have 170lbs of muscle unless you had no bones or organs or blood etc etc. However, it does give you an indication of any muscular gains assuming all other bodily components remain the same weight.
Originally Posted by KarlW
What this means is that when we drop a ball and it falls to the ground, it wasn't the ball that moved (down to the ground), but the ground that moved (up to the ball)
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12-20-2004, 09:31 AM #5Esprit de Corps ELITE MEMBER
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It's also important to take your measurments while NOT pumped up. Don't go knocking out a few reps to swell your biceps prior to measurrment. Take measurments flexed but "cold".
NEVER write a check with your mouth that you can't cash with your ASS!! 
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12-20-2004, 01:11 PM #6Super Moderator SUPER MODERATOR
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Yep, technically a cold measurement is upon wakeup as far as records are concerned.
Motivation Bench form Charles Poliquin When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. Lao-Tzu
Disclaimer: All health, fitness, diet, nutrition, anabolic steroid & supplement information posted here is intended for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as a substitute for proper medical advice from a medical doctor. We do not condone the use of anabolic steroids (AAS), all information about AAS is for educational and entertainment purposes only. If you choose to use AAS it's your responsibility to know the laws of the country that you live in. Consult your physician or health care professional before performing any of the exercises, or following any diet, nutrition or supplement advice described on this website.
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12-20-2004, 01:15 PM #7Designer Supplements
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I use a combination of weight and strength. Providing both are progressing in a positive direction, i know i'm growing. The weight, preferably in a slower (0.5-1lb/week) range.
I rarely take measurements come to think of it.Being held down by The Man
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12-21-2004, 06:14 PM #8Registered User
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I just look in the mirror, actually just yesterday I noticed my traps got bigger, and look alot better!
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12-22-2004, 03:09 PM #9Registered User
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Taking pictures is what I do. I take pictures once a month then compare them.
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12-22-2004, 04:20 PM #10Senior Member ELITE MEMBER
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I can tell on the tightness of my shirts.
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12-22-2004, 05:46 PM #11Stay puffed, baby.
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Strength..
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12-22-2004, 06:18 PM #12Monochromatic Bunny
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Well that is completely subjective. Some people get happier when they see their weight going down from one day to the other and women are even worst, they get happier because they fitted in a fictitious number that determine the size of clothes.
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12-22-2004, 08:03 PM #13Fueled by Testosterone MODERATOR
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The weights I move and the mirror are all I need.
The only time it's bad to feel the burn is when you're peeing...
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12-24-2004, 12:35 AM #14Registered User
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Originally Posted by Duncans Donuts
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