How long to get muscle mass back after years off?

I was a competitive athlete in high school and we lifted frequently and I got quite big. While at school I stopped rowing and haven’t lifted as much. I started lifting again and began making gains quickly, how long until I’m back in similar shape (size/strength)? Have any of you been in similar positions?

12 Comments
 

Ex-rower here so I completely get where you're coming from. No easy answer since it depends on a lot of factors e.g. intensity, the type of shape you were in before vs how much you declined/let yourself go, diet is much more impactful now vs when you were younger, etc. 

"If you don't have any enemies in life you have never stood up for anything" - Winston Churchill | "It's a testament to the sheer belligerence of the profession that people would rather argue about the 'risk-adjusted returns' of using inferior tooth cleaning methods." - kellycriterion
 

It's hard! Never fully appreciated what a time dedication it was and location matters a lot, although for finance almost all the major hubs are coastal so it works out on that end at least. 

"If you don't have any enemies in life you have never stood up for anything" - Winston Churchill | "It's a testament to the sheer belligerence of the profession that people would rather argue about the 'risk-adjusted returns' of using inferior tooth cleaning methods." - kellycriterion
 

Months to a year maybe. Happens faster than  you think.

I made the best/ fastest gains in my life when I thought I had more or less hit my natty limit, got off track for a while so I thought I'd never make gains again. Just worked out consistently thinking I wouldn't progress, but just trained hard, consistently and methodologically for the heck of it and focused on the process. Did that for several months until people started saying, hey how tf did you get EVEN bigger, and I was like 'Wot' and measured myself up and realized I had put on half an inch to all major muscle groups. Stacked up my powerlifting total too

Adopt a growth mindset/ process-based mindset instead of a goals-based mindset. Become a more Stoic lifter

 

I’d go with a personal trainer for a month or two to work on good foundations and work at a slower pace. Like the others above me said, get there slowly but lift to be healthy.

No pain no game.
 

People who used to workout a lot in the past have a much easier time building muscle even after year-long hiatuses from the gym. So, I'd say you'll need like 5-6 months before achieving a comparable level as to where you were before. But, as the other comments suggested, be more mindful about your diet this time around since the years to take their toll :)

 

Similarly lifted a lot throughout high school / college, gave it up the first few years of banking & PE, and picked it back up the last year or two. Took me ~6 months to get back to 80% of my peak, then the grind to get back to the peak has taken much longer / still not there yet another 6-12 months later. In fairness I'm lifting 2-3x a week now, whereas in high school and college I was lifting ~5x per week, but the marginal gains are naturally harder. 

 

This is an old ass thread, but you'll be surprised how fast you can get back on the horse if you had a solid base in your youth. I've dealt with injuries and have had to take almost entire years off before, only to bounce back rather quickly by dialing in training and diet. 

And then of course if that doesn't work, there are other options...

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Error nam praesentium illum et veritatis et. Quasi dolor est aliquam quod. Possimus ut fuga qui laudantium omnis numquam.

Et voluptatem ut quo culpa dolores. Asperiores aut qui quo voluptatem voluptate. Consequatur debitis vel recusandae in ea est.

Eius ut nostrum architecto illum laudantium accusamus doloremque. Ad ipsam dolorem iusto quibusdam. Amet enim impedit officia at delectus autem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (66) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”