If you are lifting weights but not gaining muscle, you may need to increase your daily caloric intake. Bodybuilders require a large number of calories every day to add muscle mass.
Function
To add mass, your body needs surplus energy. Lifting weights and eating an additional 2,270 to 3,630 calories a week -- about 500 extra calories a day -- will lead to 1 lb. of muscle gain a week, according to the Health Services at Columbia University.
Considerations
Ask your doctor or nutritionist to help you determine how many calories you require just to maintain your current weight. Alternatively, use an online energy-needs calculator to get a rough estimate.
Expert Insight
To increase the number of calories in your diet, Colorado State University recommends eating plenty of calorie-dense snacks, such as peanut butter sandwiches, bagels, trail mix, sports bars and liquid meal supplement drinks.
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