Over and over again people ask me what kind of supplements they should be taking to help get the most out of every workout. No matter how much I would love to just give them one magic supplement that will turn them into that fat blasting machine they want to be, I can't. The first thing I say is that a persons fitness level all boils down to how you fuel it. I'm a firm believer that if you eat like crap you will look like crap. The best advice I can give to any gym goer is focus on a post workout refuel. Protein shakes are perfect for that. They supply you with a handful of carbohydrates and protein that are essential for rebuilding your muscles after a long hard workout. Yes, your body deserves a treat. Many people make the mistake of restricting food after a workout because they worked so hard to burn away extra unwanted calories that it would just defeat the purpose of training. This is a huge misconception. After a hard workout, even though you feel ready to quit, your body is trying to tell you otherwise. Your muscle building process is geared up and ready to go. It is most primed to refuel 30 mins to 2 hours after your workout. Most protein shakes are filled with the right amount of carbs, protein and calories to kickstart your rebuilding process. So after a great workout follow it with a great post workout routine.
You can buy protein powders at many different places. Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Bulk Barn carry basic protein powders and bars. If your looking for a higher quality protein try places like GNC, Popeyes, Healthy Planet and Nurtition House.
Here are some brands that you may want to try:
1. Optimum 100% Whey Protein
2. CytoSport Muscle Milk
3. Whey Gourmet
4. Nitrotech
5. Myoplex
The three most popular types of protein are whey, egg, and soy. You may want to speak with a specialist at the store to find out which type would work best for you.
Whats the difference between the "quality" and the Walmart Brands? They're all protein correct?
ReplyDeleteXcellent Joe. I am big into whey protein myself.
ReplyDeleteVery good question Darryl. Not all protein shakes are created equal, meaning some protein powders have a lot of extra sugars, fats, and calories per serving. however most will use whey protein as the protein source and its pretty much all equal. Marketing is usually what drives up the cost of the name brands powders not the actual ingredients. So really any whey protein powder you get is going to be good enough as a post workout shake. Some people training for a competition or an athletic event will choose designer proteins.
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