How does putting on muscle affect ring size?

[CalliopeCladdagh]

My husband is on a diet and exercise journey and the plan is to build up muscle.
His wedding ring is currently quite loose from all the weight loss.
He's wondering if he should resize it smaller, or if once he puts on muscle mass his fingers will increase in size again and he should wait it out.
Does anyone have any experience or advice?
His ring has already been resized once.
Thanks!

 

[Gloria27]

My husband is on a diet and exercise journey and the plan is to build up muscle.
His wedding ring is currently quite loose from all the weight loss.
He's wondering if he should resize it smaller, or if once he puts on muscle mass his fingers will increase in size again and he should wait it out.
Does anyone have any experience or advice?
His ring has already been resized once.
Thanks!

I would say the finger size can go up a bit because of muscles if you have skinny hands or hands that have not been worked before, but there difference is nowhere as much as when you are overweight.
Work changes your hands a bit, you bet you can go one size up but depends on how much weight you use, how much work you do, genetics, anatomy/ type of bones (long bones, short bones, etc).

This is all I can say, maybe ask a man who goes to the gym and wears jewellery?

 

[danusia]

From my days of going to hand therapy, fingers have no muscles; only tendons

 

[Autumn in New England]

I noticed once I started lifting weights, my hands got toned as well. But it definitely did not increase my ring size. If anything, it made my fingers even slimmer. Unless your husband is aiming for Arnold level muscle mass, I think it would be safe for him to resize his ring once he's done losing weight. Kudos to him, BTW!

 

[Gloria27]

I noticed once I started lifting weights, my hands got toned as well. But it definitely did not increase my ring size. If anything, it made my fingers even slimmer. Unless your husband is aiming for Arnold level muscle mass, I think it would be safe for him to resize his ring once he's done losing weight. Kudos to him, BTW!

I had skinny elf hands before lifting now at the base of my thumb there is a mini biceps
My ring sizes went up for my index and middle finger and thumb and stayed the same for ring finger and pinky but this took a few years, it was not instant.

From my days of going to hand therapy, fingers have no muscles; only tendons

Tendons and bones thicken from lifting, it's an adaptation and you do grow the muscles in your palm which widen it.

 

[CalliopeCladdagh]

Thank you for your replies!
It's sounding like he should just go ahead. We're just a bit nervous since it was already made smaller once and it's mixed metals so not the easiest job, plus everyone says don't go too small because your fingers will get bigger with age!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Thank you for your replies!
It's sounding like he should just go ahead. We're just a bit nervous since it was already made smaller once and it's mixed metals so not the easiest job, plus everyone says don't go too small because your fingers will get bigger with age!

yes, but it would be awful if hubby lost his ring

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Right hand fingers are generally a half US size larger than left hands (for right handed people).

 

[Tonks]

I can speak to that. Weight loss will absolutely change your ring size, in my experience.

Muscle gain? Not so much.

There is a 15 pound increase in muscle between these two photos, and my ring size has stayed the same.

So…if he’s done cutting weight and is just putting on mass, he’s probably good to go, but it’s often not that simple. Can he just get a ring snuggie from Amazon in the meantime and see if he kind of stabilizes? I found that when I really changed my eating habits, weight dropped off. But then I got to a point where my body wanted to be and I just found a natural set point. Then I started to build muscle. And THAT part takes years.

Wrist circumference is a totally different beast than ring sized, though, especially if you train heavy deadlifts or farmer’s carries. Your forearms will absolutely gain muscle and beef up. (Just an FYI with watches).

 

[Autumn in New England]

I can speak to that. Weight loss will absolutely change your ring size, in my experience.

Muscle gain? Not so much.

There is a 15 pound increase in muscle between these two photos, and my ring size has stayed the same.

So…if he’s done cutting weight and is just putting on mass, he’s probably good to go, but it’s often not that simple. Can he just get a ring snuggie from Amazon in the meantime and see if he kind of stabilizes? I found that when I really changed my eating habits, weight dropped off. But then I got to a point where my body wanted to be and I just found a natural set point. Then I started to build muscle. And THAT part takes years.

Wrist circumference is a totally different beast than ring sized, though, especially if you train heavy deadlifts or farmer’s carries. Your forearms will absolutely gain muscle and beef up. (Just an FYI with watches).

Girl, those GUNS!!

 

[Tonks]

Girl, those GUNS!!

It’s kind of funny. To the extent that I had an aesthetic goal when I started lifting (my goals were mostly strength and injury prevention), it was to build a butt. So naturally my body has been like, “here! Have some boulder shoulders!”

 

[Autumn in New England]

It’s kind of funny. To the extent that I had an aesthetic goal when I started lifting (my goals were mostly strength and injury prevention), it was to build a butt. So naturally my body has been like, “here! Have some boulder shoulders!”

They're glorious though.

I have the opposite issue... a muscular bum, thighs, and calves, but zero upper body strength. I'd like to get serious about changing that in 2023! Do you offer private training sessions?

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

How did your butt go?
Mods please delete
I have had 2 thirds of a bottle of nice wine

 

[Autumn in New England]

I'm glad you went there, so I didn't have to. Butt progress report, please!

 

[Tonks]

Ok, since you asked! I mean, there *is* progress. Just not shoulder level progress. But I’m also not training for aesthetics. Really more focused on strength, because that’s what I find fun.



3.5 years of hard lifting and 15 lbs between these photos. Barbell hip thrust went from 135 pound working sets to 300 pounds paused, though my coach doesn’t program them as much anymore. I train in a powerlifting style now and love it. Glutes get worked through mostly low bar back squats, sumo deadlifts, lunge patterns, and RDLs. Oh, and freaking Bulgarian split squats (yuck).

 

[Gloria27]

Ok, since you asked! I mean, there *is* progress. Just not shoulder level progress. But I’m also not training for aesthetics. Really more focused on strength, because that’s what I find fun.



3.5 years of hard lifting and 15 lbs between these photos. Barbell hip thrust went from 135 pound working sets to 300 pounds paused, though my coach doesn’t program them as much anymore. I train in a powerlifting style now and love it. Glutes get worked through mostly low bar back squats, sumo deadlifts, lunge patterns, and RDLs. Oh, and freaking Bulgarian split squats (yuck).

I exercise at home and only small weights (max 25 kg) because while my legs are strong, my skinny wrists unravel easily...

Imma shut up about lifting anything right now! Awesome photos!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Ok, since you asked! I mean, there *is* progress. Just not shoulder level progress. But I’m also not training for aesthetics. Really more focused on strength, because that’s what I find fun.



3.5 years of hard lifting and 15 lbs between these photos. Barbell hip thrust went from 135 pound working sets to 300 pounds paused, though my coach doesn’t program them as much anymore. I train in a powerlifting style now and love it. Glutes get worked through mostly low bar back squats, sumo deadlifts, lunge patterns, and RDLs. Oh, and freaking Bulgarian split squats (yuck).

Can I just say I LOVE that you actually posted a pic. lol You're my new hero. In all seriousness though, I DO see a difference... everything is lifted. Kudos!

 

[Tonks]

I exercise at home and only small weights (max 25 kg) because while my legs are strong, my skinny wrists unravel easily...

Imma shut up about lifting anything right now! Awesome photos!

Thank you! I exercise mostly at home, too! We have a garage gym. Sometimes I lift at an actual gym as well, but home workouts really are so convenient.

Don’t be down on yourself—everyone starts somewhere, and 25 kg is a lot of weight! Keep at it. The thing I don’t like about fitness online is that it only tells part of the story. You would never know from my photos, for instance, that I have terrible joints. I have hypermobility spectrum disorder. Have had four shoulder surgeries, permanent damage in one wrist. It’s a laundry list of injuries over time, and it’s why I got into lifting. Technically someone who has been at it as long as I have should lift way more, but I don’t.

For your wrists, there are a ton of wrist wraps available that may help stabilize them. You can go minimal leather (check out Onyx Straps) to powerlifting wraps that are cast like and don’t even let you bend them. Somewhere in the middle would be offerings from Rogue or Tuff Wraps’ cloth wraps.

Can I just say I LOVE that you actually posted a pic. lol You're my new hero. In all seriousness though, I DO see a difference... everything is lifted. Kudos!

Ya know, maybe I shouldn’t have, but oh well. If it helps one woman pick up a barbell, it’s worth it!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Thank you! I exercise mostly at home, too! We have a garage gym. Sometimes I lift at an actual gym as well, but home workouts really are so convenient.

Don’t be down on yourself—everyone starts somewhere, and 25 kg is a lot of weight! Keep at it. The thing I don’t like about fitness online is that it only tells part of the story. You would never know from my photos, for instance, that I have terrible joints. I have hypermobility spectrum disorder. Have had four shoulder surgeries, permanent damage in one wrist. It’s a laundry list of injuries over time, and it’s why I got into lifting. Technically someone who has been at it as long as I have should lift way more, but I don’t.

For your wrists, there are a ton of wrist wraps available that may help stabilize them. You can go minimal leather (check out Onyx Straps) to powerlifting wraps that are cast like and don’t even let you bend them. Somewhere in the middle would be offerings from Rogue or Tuff Wraps’ cloth wraps.


Ya know, maybe I shouldn’t have, but oh well. If it helps one woman pick up a barbell, it’s worth it!

I'm inspired for sure!

 

[Gloria27]

Thank you! I exercise mostly at home, too! We have a garage gym. Sometimes I lift at an actual gym as well, but home workouts really are so convenient.

Don’t be down on yourself—everyone starts somewhere, and 25 kg is a lot of weight! Keep at it. The thing I don’t like about fitness online is that it only tells part of the story. You would never know from my photos, for instance, that I have terrible joints. I have hypermobility spectrum disorder. Have had four shoulder surgeries, permanent damage in one wrist. It’s a laundry list of injuries over time, and it’s why I got into lifting. Technically someone who has been at it as long as I have should lift way more, but I don’t.

For your wrists, there are a ton of wrist wraps available that may help stabilize them. You can go minimal leather (check out Onyx Straps) to powerlifting wraps that are cast like and don’t even let you bend them. Somewhere in the middle would be offerings from Rogue or Tuff Wraps’ cloth wraps.


Ya know, maybe I shouldn’t have, but oh well. If it helps one woman pick up a barbell, it’s worth it!

Sorry to hear about your injuries, glad you overcame them, you look great!

Thank you for the kind words, I put 25 kg on my bar. I have gym gloves with some wrist support and I sure can lift more because I can do 30 reps with the 25kg no problem so it means I could do 10 with 40-50 kg if I tried.

I don't have the best form though, I round my shoulders, I have bad posture (from sitting/ while sitting). My torso is short compared to my legs which makes me an awkward squatter, I never do full squats and tend to round my back if I'm not careful.

I too have loose joints, don't think it's EDS, but I'm hypermobile. If I pull my finger I see a gap forming at the base of the finger, same with my wrists, they elongate thou' not visibly. Basically my grip is stronger than my wrist joint. Overall I did get stability in the joints from working out, for me it's not the ligaments that became stable but the muscles got trained to keep everything in balance.

Btw, you inspired me yesterday, I did a workout!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Wow. What an amazing twist in this thread from fingers to health and people doing good with bodies that are under par.
I was a regular at gym but after all the record 200 days of Covid lockdowns in Melbourne I gave up and have lost a lot of upper body strength.
But Vera and me now walk or hike a lot in bush before work. And on weekends I Cycle early mornings. That was until Boxing day when a pedal broke while out of the saddle at +20mph.
The 7 ribs and 9 cracks are doing well and should be skiing in Whistler most of Feb. My shoulder I landed on also has had surgery but did OK.
Be fit and stay healthy as best you can. It makes life more fun and recovery faster.

 

[Gloria27]

Wow. What an amazing twist in this thread from fingers to health and people doing good with bodies that are under par.
I was a regular at gym but after all the record 200 days of Covid lockdowns in Melbourne I gave up and have lost a lot of upper body strength.
But Vera and me now walk or hike a lot in bush before work. And on weekends I Cycle early mornings. That was until Boxing day when a pedal broke while out of the saddle at +20mph.
The 7 ribs and 9 cracks are doing well and should be skiing in Whistler most of Feb. My shoulder I landed on also has had surgery but did OK.
Be fit and stay healthy as best you can. It makes life more fun and recovery faster.

I wouldn't say under par (not offended btw), just of a different class and imperfect. Like a video game character, the wizzard doesn't wield an axe, the barbarian does.
I know I'm not built for the fight, I'm built for the flight! Streamlined and fast

7 ribs? ouch! hope you recover fully.

 

[Tonks]

Sorry to hear about your injuries, glad you overcame them, you look great!

Thank you for the kind words, I put 25 kg on my bar. I have gym gloves with some wrist support and I sure can lift more because I can do 30 reps with the 25kg no problem so it means I could do 10 with 40-50 kg if I tried.

I don't have the best form though, I round my shoulders, I have bad posture (from sitting/ while sitting). My torso is short compared to my legs which makes me an awkward squatter, I never do full squats and tend to round my back if I'm not careful.

I too have loose joints, don't think it's EDS, but I'm hypermobile. If I pull my finger I see a gap forming at the base of the finger, same with my wrists, they elongate thou' not visibly. Basically my grip is stronger than my wrist joint. Overall I did get stability in the joints from working out, for me it's not the ligaments that became stable but the muscles got trained to keep everything in balance.

Btw, you inspired me yesterday, I did a workout!

Best things I ever did for form: 1, get a coach. 2, video nearly every set. After working with my coach and sending video back and forth I’ve gotten pretty good and self-critique. Most of the time I can video and identify problems myself, but I still send him film. It’s super helpful. Would highly recommend to anyone!

I hear ya on body type for squats. Long femurs here, too. Keep at it.

Wow. What an amazing twist in this thread from fingers to health and people doing good with bodies that are under par.
I was a regular at gym but after all the record 200 days of Covid lockdowns in Melbourne I gave up and have lost a lot of upper body strength.
But Vera and me now walk or hike a lot in bush before work. And on weekends I Cycle early mornings. That was until Boxing day when a pedal broke while out of the saddle at +20mph.
The 7 ribs and 9 cracks are doing well and should be skiing in Whistler most of Feb. My shoulder I landed on also has had surgery but did OK.
Be fit and stay healthy as best you can. It makes life more fun and recovery faster.

Dang, Gary, those rib injuries sound awful. And the shoulder! Keep moving the best you can and best wishes for recovery.