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What’s the Difference Between ‘Lean’ and ‘Bulk’ Muscle — and Which Should You Aim For? (Today)

Posted: Jan 06, 2026 in In the News

This article originally appeard on Today on January 6, 2026.

Let’s get one thing straight: Muscle is muscle.

Despite what many fitness influencers may have you believe, there’s no such thing as "lean muscle" or "bulk muscle." It’s all made from the same stuff. And no matter how many times you come across workout routines online with claims to "lean" or "bulk up" your muscles, know that it's all the same thing — strength training...

The misconception that muscle can be lean or bulky lies in its appearance. “When people (say ‘lean’), they’re usually describing a look — muscle that appears more defined because there is less body fat covering it,” Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D., chief executive officer at the American Council on Exercise, tells TODAY.com...

Read the full article here.