How to use Protein Powders to Get Stronger
If you’re looking to get stronger, you need to build muscle mass, and that requires protein. You don’t need to get all that protein from food, though, as protein powder is an excellent substitute. But what’s the best protein powder, and how can you use it to increase your strength? Read on to find out how to choose one and finding the best tasting protein powder.
Why Protein Powder Helps You Get Stronger
When you start working out, your strength will increase as your muscles get used to the new exercises you’re putting them through. After that initial period, though, the only way to continue gaining strength will be to gain muscle mass.
There are always two components involved in changing your body composition – your diet and your exercise. Let’s assume that you’re working out properly and performing resistance training that will help build muscle mass. While that’s important, your results will suffer if you aren’t also getting the right nutrients.
Protein is the main nutrient involved in building muscle. For years, convention wisdom stated that you should consume 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight every day. Later research has shown that you don’t actually need that much protein. For everyone from novice to advanced lifters, 0.6 to 0.82 grams per pound is sufficient.
Still, that’s quite a bit of protein. At 200 pounds, you’d need to consume 120 to 164 grams of protein per day. Getting all that protein can be a challenge, but with protein powder, you can consume a large amount of protein in one shake.
The Right Time for Your Protein Shake
Protein powder isn’t just helpful to get your protein. It also helps you get your protein at the right time, immediately after you complete a workout. When you drink a protein shake within an hour of finishing a workout, it brings amino acids to your muscles and helps those muscles grow.
Which Type of Protein Powder to Choose
There are plenty of protein powders on the market. The best protein powder for building muscle is whey powder.
What makes whey the best protein powder? It’s easy for your body to digest and absorb so it reaches your muscles much more quickly than any other protein source.
Finding the Best Tasting Protein Powder
It’s much easier to put down that protein shake if you enjoy how it tastes. In such a crowded market, how can you find the best tasting protein powder?
Since taste comes down to personal preference, you may need to experiment with different protein powders to see which ones you like the most. It’s best to start with the classic flavors – chocolate and vanilla. These are the most popular options for a reason, as most people enjoy them. Strawberry is another popular choice.
You don’t need to get a huge tub of protein powder right off the bat. There are smaller sizes available that you can purchase if you’d like to sample a flavor and make sure that you enjoy it. Once you’ve found a flavor you like, you can save money by buying it in bulk.
Keep in mind that the flavor of your protein shake will depend on what you mix the protein powder with. Water is the most common choice, but mixing your protein powder with milk can improve the flavor. Milk also has protein so you get even more from your shake, just remember that it will also increase the calories.
Take Your Muscle Gain to the Next Level
If you’re serious about getting the best results from your strength training, then you need protein powder. Drinking a protein shake is an easy way to ensure that you get enough protein every day to build muscle mass. When you take it shortly after your workout, you’ll also improve muscle building and recover more quickly, preparing you for that next workout.
Protein powder is also very economical. It’s the cheapest protein source available, enabling you to improve your strength gains without breaking the bank in the process. Give it a try and you’ll be happy you did.
