Posted By Discussion Topic: Weightlifting and Hair Loss   pod17 05-23-2010 @ 8:02 PM                           reply Member Joined: Jan 2010 I was at the gym this morning, and a guy that I chat to there mentioned that he can't help lifting weights and defining his muscles, even though he knows it adds to his hair loss. He thinks his hair loss is caused by his strenuous daily workout.   I was dumbfounded - is there really any connection between the two, or is he wrong? Smitty 06-07-2010 @ 3:32 PM                           reply Member Joined: Sep 2009 i have also never heard of this! Maybe he is on roids and that leads to hairloss... I even looked it up and have not been able to find a link. Joey_44 06-08-2010 @ 4:36 PM                           reply Member Joined: Sep 2009 This is what i found on a website: “Lifting weight in itself doesn’t increase hair loss. No kidding. However, resistance training causes muscle tissue to break down. That muscle tissue has to be repaired, right? The body synthesizes dietary protein into amino acids and building blocks (other proteins) that result in muscle cell regeneration and growth. Okay, you know what triggers that protein synthesis? Ahh yes, it’s our good ole friend the happy hormone testosterone. And it becomes a supply and demand thing. If I have a lot of muscle to repair because I’m doing resistance training, then the body responds by pumping out more testosterone. But where in all this does the body say: “Okay, I need more testosterone to rebuild damaged tissue, but in the mean time, is okay to curtail testosterone to DHT conversion?” DOESN’T work that way. Unless you have a genetic resistance. To say generically “lifting weights absolutely cannot lead to more rapid hair loss” is a false statement. It can for the reasons I’ve stated. If you’ve got “super hair” that’s genetically resistant to falling out, then your statement is correct. If not, then exercising MIGHT in fact speed up hair loss because of increased DHT levels in the blood stream (which triggers hairloss in some men. I guess more importantly, if you are prone to shedding... you need to get on the propecia and quickly!! Joey Smitty 06-14-2010 @ 5:22 PM                           reply Member Joined: Sep 2009 it kinda makes sense... I am pleased with my results from being on propecia.  I don't do intense weights but it's def part of my work out routine. Smitty pod17 06-17-2010 @ 1:12 PM                           reply Member Joined: Jan 2010 If I had to choose between the perfect body and the perfect head of hair, I'd go with the hair anyday. But if I'm taking Propecia and exercising in the gym surely that cancels out the negative impact of increased DHT levels from the resistance training? I don't really want to give up exercising altogether, as it helps de-stress me, which I think has got to - ultimately - have a positive impact on the hairloss.. Cheers,P