It is a common misconception that women struggle to build muscle compared to men, but experts say the truth is more nuanced. Professor Leigh Breen, a muscle physiology specialist at the University of Leicester, explains that while men typically have a higher muscle-to-fat ratio due to testosterone spikes during puberty, women respond just as effectively to resistance training.
Testosterone Levels and Muscle Growth
Breen notes that women have 15 to 20 times lower testosterone levels than men, which influences baseline muscle mass but not the relative ability to gain muscle through training. “If you look at the percentage increase, men and women respond very similarly,” he says. This means gender-specific workout routines are largely unnecessary for building muscle.
Body Composition Differences
However, women generally maintain a higher fat-to-muscle ratio even with training. While diet and exercise can shift this balance, pushing body fat too low may lead to hormonal disruptions, irregular menstrual cycles, and potential fertility issues. Breen emphasizes that extreme body composition changes are not always healthy.
In summary, women can build muscle as effectively as men when following similar resistance training principles, though natural differences in body composition persist.
