The increase in muscle fiber size through resistance training, resulting in greater muscle mass and strength. It occurs when muscle proteins are built faster than they're broken down, typically requiring progressive overload and adequate nutrition.
From Greek 'hyper' (over/excessive) and 'trophe' (nourishment/growth), literally meaning 'overnourishment.' Originally a medical term describing abnormal organ enlargement, it was adopted by exercise science to describe the normal adaptive response of muscles to training stress.
Muscle hypertrophy requires a delicate balance of mechanical tension, metabolic stress, and muscle damage—which is why bodybuilders use different rep ranges and techniques than powerlifters despite both wanting bigger muscles. The process can take weeks to become visible but begins at the cellular level within hours of an effective workout.
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