Rate of weight gain

[Bsmalls]

I am 18, 511 and 147lbs. If i am training to build muscle how much weight should i try to gain the first year??

[Off Road]

If you are working out correctly (ie: progressive squats and deads), then you could shoot for about 1 lb per week.

[MikeM]

I totally agree with OR, especially at 18 going on 19 you can gain ridiculous weight if you want to.

However, "weight" is a relative term. You say you want to build muscle, but simply adding pure muscle is only going to be around 5-7 lbs a YEAR. But if you want to get HOOOGE, well eat like you stole something and you'll easily get 50 lbs heavier because a decent dose of fat will come along for the ride.

My point is answering your question really depends on your goals. You're damn near 6' and a buck fifty. I'm 5'7" and damn near 2 bills. Within reason, I don't care about my actual weight on the scale, I care about the weight I can lift. But obviously I'll never be a fitness model. However you could if that is what you're thinking.

So, are you gaining weight to simply fill out some muscle mass without losing your abs, or do you want to stuff yourself and be a lot stronger, or something in between?

Gaining "weight" is easy. Meeting a goal is a bit harder. Explain your goals and answering your questions is easier.

[Bsmalls]

How many calories do you think i would need per day??

[Off Road]

Originally Posted by Bsmalls

How many calories do you think i would need per day??

Quick answer: Enough to get the scale moving

Long answer: Keep a food journal and track your daily maintenance calories. Once you figure out your maintenance, add more food until you see the desired results on the scale. When the scale stops moving, add more food.

[MikeM]

This is a good thread for getting an idea of getting your basic maintenance level and how you could break down your food intake.
Diet Information

Anything above maintenance (plus what you burn in your workouts) will cause you to gain weight.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

[Fazc]

Just me personally I wouldn't shoot for anything over 20-30lbs in the first year. And even that is if you're training hard in the gym and seeing your strength increase rapidly.

There's only but so much muscle you will build, through your entire life, training naturally and frankly that's not going to happen all in one year or even 3 years. So don't be in a hurry to get big. Learn to train, learn the big exercises, learn to love the gym. That all comes with time, just like your weight gain should.

[RichMcGuire]

Originally Posted by Fazc

Just me personally I wouldn't shoot for anything over 20-30lbs in the first year. And even that is if you're training hard in the gym and seeing your strength increase rapidly.

There's only but so much muscle you will build, through your entire life, training naturally and frankly that's not going to happen all in one year or even 3 years. So don't be in a hurry to get big. Learn to train, learn the big exercises, learn to love the gym. That all comes with time, just like your weight gain should.

I really like this answer.