Does mass affect speed?
Matthew Alvarez
Published May 01, 2026
Mass doesn't affect speed directly. It determines how quickly an object can change speed (accelerate) under the action of a given force. Lighter objects need less time to change speed by a given amount under a given force.
Does mass make you faster?
Gaining lean muscle mass is unlikely to make you slowerFor most of us, the small increase in lean muscle mass will be offset by fat loss and a change in body composition. Your total weight is likely to remain relatively constant, but you will gain strength through improved neuromuscular recruitment.