Permanent strength gains...

[WayneRooney]

Hi rip,

Just a few quick questions... At what point do strength gains become permanent or are they always transient in the same way as improvements made to conditioning? Do people have a genetically determined level of strength or can it be changed permanently without the need for maintenance?

[Mark Rippetoe]

After a few years of training, you'll always be stronger than you were previously. Strength training changes, in the absence of disease or advanced age in the absence of subsequent training, are quite persistent. Strength is age-dependent, and even with training it diminishes over time.

[Jonathon Sullivan]

Strength is age-dependent, and even with training it diminishes over time.

''

Yeah. This sucks.

[PapaBear59]

Strength is age-dependent, and even with training it diminishes over time.

And that just plain old sucks.