Does Muscle Memory Occur?

The concept of muscle memory is controversial. Most bodybuilders have experienced this phenomenon, yet virtually no discussions of this topic have appeared in scientific and athletic publications. Although there is some speculation herein, these ideas are sure to help you better understand your body's response to training after a layoff.

Before you know it, a month has gone by. Two months. Six months. I'll get back to it sometime soon, you keep saying. You're finally ready - a year later.

Don't worry. Life can get in the way of even the most dedicated bodybuilder's workouts. Be glad that you're ready to commit to consistent training again. For those of you who haven't attempted a small comeback before, here's good news.

Gaining muscle size seems to be easier the second time around - even if you starting from the same place. That's right. It appears that your muscles can reach their former size (their size when you stopped working out) in a much shorter time than it took to achieve that size that first time you trained.

If you're an experienced bodybuilder who has returned to square one more times than you wish to remember, you probably know exactly what I mean. In fact, even many scientists and coaches are convinced this phenomenon occurs - having witnessed first hand. No one has a clue how this happens. Why should you pack on muscle size quicker when 'retraining?' It just doesn't make sense.

With so many athletes and others observing this mystery of the iron game, some plausible explanation must exist. I'll describe some possible reasons why your muscle may appear to have a memory. While understanding that the following ideas might help you make a comeback, keep in mind that these are just good guesses - not dogma.

Mind Games

Certainly, we can't overlook the possibility that muscle memory doesn't really occur at all. In other words, it's completely possible that these changes have nothing to do with muscular adaptation. Then why do muscles seem to progress faster during a comeback? Well, it could all be in your head. Here's what I mean.