In your quest to learn how to build muscle more effectively you'll probably encounter people talking about the post-workout nutrition window. We are going to look at this today and help you learn the facts on this topic, dispelling some of the common myths in the process.
Despite the often over complicated world of health and fitness this is very easy to do once you have learnt the basic principles, much like the rules to building a leaner physique in general.
Depending upon how long you have already been exercising you might have already come across this phenomenon. For a while, many regular exercise enthusiasts believed there was a 'magic window' and if you consume any kind of nutrition within this so-called magic window your body would be able to make excessive gains in the gym. Science then provided the proof to back up those claims. The most common questions on this subject are easily:
* What is the duration of the window?
* What type of foods should I eat in this period?
* What is the reason this actually exists?
* What's going to happen if you miss it?
Don't worry, folks. In today's post we will be answering all of the questions above. First of all let's take a look at the golden window itself and explain what it actually exists for. When you have exercised at a high intensity, i.e. you've just completed a workout in the gym, your body is literally starving to replace the nutrients it lost during the exercise session.
To put it simply, it wants food and it wants it immediately. To a large extent it doesn't even care what you eat, it's going to try to use as much energy from the food provided. If you provide it with an already nutritious food you really experience the benefits here.
The length of the window also answers the question of what food you should be looking to eat. It only lasts for around 45 minutes post-workout.
That generally removes the confusion from the second question above, which is asking what type of foods you eat. You want to hit your body with nutrients during the 45 minute post-workout period therefore should avoid foods which are going to take a long time to be broken down and used up. So ignore the complex carbohydrates...
Try combining some whey protein with a bowl of cereal or some fruits in your post-workout meal. Despite being a very light meal, it's packed full of the nutrients your body is calling our for after a gym session and, most importantly, we are able to break down these meals and process them well before the window closes.
It's that source of instant energy which you are looking for after a hard workout. Furthermore, your digestive system will try to use as much of the meal as it possibly can. That's right, even more than it usually would if you consumed it at another point in the day.
Don't worry so much about what would happen if you didn't take advantage of this important post-workout period, because the fact is over 90% of gym members fail to do this so the answer to your question is staring you in the face every time you walk into your local gymnasium.
If you wanted to know how to build muscle you are now armed with one of the most important secrets of the gym. In fact, getting the most from your post workout nutrition is also very important for people looking at how to lose weight as well. It's time to put these benefits to good use.
Despite the often over complicated world of health and fitness this is very easy to do once you have learnt the basic principles, much like the rules to building a leaner physique in general.
Depending upon how long you have already been exercising you might have already come across this phenomenon. For a while, many regular exercise enthusiasts believed there was a 'magic window' and if you consume any kind of nutrition within this so-called magic window your body would be able to make excessive gains in the gym. Science then provided the proof to back up those claims. The most common questions on this subject are easily:
* What is the duration of the window?
* What type of foods should I eat in this period?
* What is the reason this actually exists?
* What's going to happen if you miss it?
Don't worry, folks. In today's post we will be answering all of the questions above. First of all let's take a look at the golden window itself and explain what it actually exists for. When you have exercised at a high intensity, i.e. you've just completed a workout in the gym, your body is literally starving to replace the nutrients it lost during the exercise session.
To put it simply, it wants food and it wants it immediately. To a large extent it doesn't even care what you eat, it's going to try to use as much energy from the food provided. If you provide it with an already nutritious food you really experience the benefits here.
The length of the window also answers the question of what food you should be looking to eat. It only lasts for around 45 minutes post-workout.
That generally removes the confusion from the second question above, which is asking what type of foods you eat. You want to hit your body with nutrients during the 45 minute post-workout period therefore should avoid foods which are going to take a long time to be broken down and used up. So ignore the complex carbohydrates...
Try combining some whey protein with a bowl of cereal or some fruits in your post-workout meal. Despite being a very light meal, it's packed full of the nutrients your body is calling our for after a gym session and, most importantly, we are able to break down these meals and process them well before the window closes.
It's that source of instant energy which you are looking for after a hard workout. Furthermore, your digestive system will try to use as much of the meal as it possibly can. That's right, even more than it usually would if you consumed it at another point in the day.
Don't worry so much about what would happen if you didn't take advantage of this important post-workout period, because the fact is over 90% of gym members fail to do this so the answer to your question is staring you in the face every time you walk into your local gymnasium.
If you wanted to know how to build muscle you are now armed with one of the most important secrets of the gym. In fact, getting the most from your post workout nutrition is also very important for people looking at how to lose weight as well. It's time to put these benefits to good use.
About the Author:
About the Writer: Russ Howe PTI is the UK's most followed personal trainer who shows men and women how to build muscle and how to lose weight. Check out his free guide next to enhance your results in the gym.
