Can You Really Get Stretch Marks From Working Out?

Most of us aren’t strangers to stretch marks. As women especially, it’s common to bear these stripes on areas such as our thighs, breasts, stomachs and glutes - initially appearing as red, purple or brown and then eventually fading to white or silver over time like any other scar.

And just like with any other period of growth - stretch marks can grace you with their presence when your muscles grow.

What causes stretch marks?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a stretch mark is a type of scar that develops when your skin stretches or shrinks quickly, causing the supportive tissues like collagen and elastin to rupture. Stretch marks are not a health risk or anything to be concerned about, but their appearance can bother some people.

Stretch marks often appear during chapters of life that involve rapid growth, such as childhood growth spurts, puberty and pregnancy (the NHS says they affect 8 out of 10 pregnant women), but bulking, sudden weight gain, bodybuilding or quickly putting on muscle mass can also be a trigger.

Although everyone goes through growth spurts in life, not everyone has stretch marks, so what’s the difference? It largely just comes down to luck of the draw with genetics and hormone changes.

Can you REALLY get stretch marks from working out?

Yes! You absolutely can. Some of the most common areas for workout-related stretch marks are on your arms, shoulders, chest and pecs, back, arms or thighs - areas where muscle growth tends to be most noticeable. Some stretch marks can also be caused by performing exercises that repeatedly stretch the skin in ways your body isn’t used to.

Although all bodies are different, fresh stretch marks are not something you should be immediately worried about just because you’re starting a weight lifting program either. Most people are not training with enough intensity or following a specific bodybuilding program and nutrition plan that would lead to rapid enough muscle growth to elicit stretch marks in the first place.

So if we can say one thing - let it be this: don’t ever let the possibility of new stretch marks hold you back from strength training. The likelihood of them occurring isn’t super high and the benefits of strength training are too incredible to miss out on. Worst case, you end up with a few new tiger stripes from lifting weights - so what?

How can you prevent stretch marks from working out?

If you’re worried about getting stretch marks from your workout routine, the best thing to do in terms of prevention is follow a strength training program that is designed to help you achieve steady progress towards your muscle growth goals, while prioritising adequate rest and avoiding bulking or any drastic nutritional approaches that would cause fast fluctuations (yes, steroids fall into this category).

Each day, keep your skin supple and hydrated by drinking plenty of water and moisturising daily. These steps won’t guarantee you never get another stretch mark in your life, but can reduce their likelihood and intensity of their appearance.

Step into a stronger you

Follow a progressive strength training routine, enjoy the feeling of getting stronger, and don’t worry about potential stretch marks. Life is too short to miss out on feeling like the most confident, strong and healthy version of you.