Getting stronger gaining weight but no muscle gains

[Chapow360]

I'm at 21% body fat so I'm not overweight or trying to lose weight. Ive been lifting consistently and progressively heaver since January when I weighed 119 lbs. I now weigh 126.5 lbs. I notice no change in the amount of muscle I put on and my measurements have only increased .5 inches on my thighs. My main goal has been to build my legs. For example: My 1rm for squats has increased 30 lbs since January(from 120to 150) so i only see progress in strength and endurance. Ive gained weight (7.5 lbs) but see no difference in size and appearance. Why am I not growing in size? I dont know what I'm doing to where I'm not growing muscle and idk where this gained weight is going.

I'm an ectomorph
Im 5'5"
126.5lbs (previously 119)
Waist 25.5"
Hips 36" (previously 35")
Thighs 21" (previously 20.5")
Calves 12"

But i look so small and skinny and I hate it. I want to be built

I take protein right after my workouts, BCAAs before and during my workouts, eat healthy nutrient dense foods and eat a lot after my workouts. I do mostly high volume workouts in the 8-12 rep range. And have 1-2 days for strength; 3-5 reps.

[megdaig]

You aren't an ectomorph, you just naturally undereat.

You are gaining weight and strength so you are likely putting on muscle..which is an excruciatingly slow process and takes many years of bulking and cutting cycles. Women gain maybe 1 pound per month of muscle......if we are doing everything right.

Drinking protein right after a workout doesn't mean squat. You need to aim for about 0.8 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight and a few hundred more calories over maintenance.

Looks like you are gaining about 1.5# per month. That's not too bad. We gain about 50/50 proportion of fat/muscle when we gain so putting on too much too fast is just a waste, but you also don't want to go too slowly. You could easily shoot for 2# gain per month to try and hit a sweet spot in gains.

[Chapow360]

Hmm I don't currently track how much protein and calories I'm eating. I'll try increasing my intake and start tracking to see how that goes.

Thanks for the tip!

[likeafish]

Muscle is dense, you won't see changes quickly. You're putting on weight, size and strength, so you definitely are gaining muscle. Keep doing what you're doing until you stop gaining weight or strength, then you'll have to start adding more food.