actually building muscle, or just building a pump?

[needtogetbig100]

I'm never really sure if I'm really building muscle or just maintaining a pump. Obviously right after you lift you look bigger and if I go for a few weeks I look and feel better, but then if I stop for like a week, I go back to regular size. How do I know if I'm really building muscle, or if I'm just keeping a pump? Everything seems so misleading.

[WarWithWeakness]

You will always experience this.

If you're improving your numbers in the gym and on the bathroom scales, you'll grow muscle. End of story. Don't doubt it.

You will however always have more blood in your muscles both immediately after training and just in general if you're training frequently. It'll go down if you stop, but all you're losing is that very temporary pump. Everything (except mostly just blood) is still there. Train a little and the size will come back.

Think less. Lift more. Profit.

[ghst23]

you must do both

[Steron99]

What i'm hearing is that you want muscles RIGHT NOW and when it doesn't happen you get discouraged and back off.Make the gym a habit and get into your workout.Of course you'll get a pump and muscular development is right behind it.Don't overthink this.Go for the workout and stick with it.