If you've ever asked somebody how to build muscle you'll notice that using sports supplements is one of the first things they suggest. The gym is becoming an increasingly scientific place to be. So if you're just starting out, how are you supposed to figure out which whey protein is best for you and your goals?
With every store in your local high street suddenly stocking a range of products and telling you that they're all essential to you reaching your goals, it can become very confusing indeed for those who aren't sure what they need to look for.
One of the main reasons the supplement industry is such a confusing place is that it's a billion dollar business. One of the main income sources for supplement companies is confused customers who aren't sure what they're looking for. This is why packaging often focuses on hype and promises of quick, easy results rather than giving actual facts about the nutrition contained within the product itself.
Despite the fact that it may appear overly scientific at first, the basics behind the nutritional information on a protein product are quite simple. Much like the foundations of building a more muscular body in the gym, nothing much has changed over the last couple of decades when you get down to the fine details of it all.
The three items below will help you to decipher whether a product is as 'essential' as it claims to be.
* Which blend of whey is listed as the first ingredient in the product you're looking at?
* How much protein is provided in each serving?
* As well as the protein content, take a look at the carbohydrate count.
Understanding the three points above will go a very long way to helping you skip past the hype surrounding the products you'll see in your local supermarket and online. Firstly, which blend of protein is the first item listed in the ingredients?
There are 3 main blends in this category and understanding them is very easy. Hydrolized is the quickest digesting form of whey, closely followed by isolate and concentrate. For this reason, hydrolized products are usually the most expensive. However, the differences in the speed of digestion are not huge and certainly don't warrant the often crazy differences in prices, so if you can only afford a product which is made from concentrate you needn't worry.
Secondly, recent scientific studies confirm that the human body can only handle 20-30 grams of protein after a workout. This means you should be looking for a supplement which falls into those numbers. If you're taking a product which provides fifty or even sixty grams per serving you'll notice some unnecessary fat gain.
Finally, you'll need to take a look at the carbohydrate content within your chosen brand. This is how to separate products between those ideal for people trying to get leaner, as opposed to those trying to pack on serious size in a short space of time. If you are trying to get bigger, carbohydrates will become your best friend. If you're trying to figure out how to build muscle but stay lean at the same time, your protein shake should provide a very low carbohydrate content. Preferably, aim for under 8 grams.
Now that you have taken the time to understand the three main rules behind muscle building supplements, you'll be able to assess which whey protein is best for you to use and get around the hype surrounding most products on the market.
With every store in your local high street suddenly stocking a range of products and telling you that they're all essential to you reaching your goals, it can become very confusing indeed for those who aren't sure what they need to look for.
One of the main reasons the supplement industry is such a confusing place is that it's a billion dollar business. One of the main income sources for supplement companies is confused customers who aren't sure what they're looking for. This is why packaging often focuses on hype and promises of quick, easy results rather than giving actual facts about the nutrition contained within the product itself.
Despite the fact that it may appear overly scientific at first, the basics behind the nutritional information on a protein product are quite simple. Much like the foundations of building a more muscular body in the gym, nothing much has changed over the last couple of decades when you get down to the fine details of it all.
The three items below will help you to decipher whether a product is as 'essential' as it claims to be.
* Which blend of whey is listed as the first ingredient in the product you're looking at?
* How much protein is provided in each serving?
* As well as the protein content, take a look at the carbohydrate count.
Understanding the three points above will go a very long way to helping you skip past the hype surrounding the products you'll see in your local supermarket and online. Firstly, which blend of protein is the first item listed in the ingredients?
There are 3 main blends in this category and understanding them is very easy. Hydrolized is the quickest digesting form of whey, closely followed by isolate and concentrate. For this reason, hydrolized products are usually the most expensive. However, the differences in the speed of digestion are not huge and certainly don't warrant the often crazy differences in prices, so if you can only afford a product which is made from concentrate you needn't worry.
Secondly, recent scientific studies confirm that the human body can only handle 20-30 grams of protein after a workout. This means you should be looking for a supplement which falls into those numbers. If you're taking a product which provides fifty or even sixty grams per serving you'll notice some unnecessary fat gain.
Finally, you'll need to take a look at the carbohydrate content within your chosen brand. This is how to separate products between those ideal for people trying to get leaner, as opposed to those trying to pack on serious size in a short space of time. If you are trying to get bigger, carbohydrates will become your best friend. If you're trying to figure out how to build muscle but stay lean at the same time, your protein shake should provide a very low carbohydrate content. Preferably, aim for under 8 grams.
Now that you have taken the time to understand the three main rules behind muscle building supplements, you'll be able to assess which whey protein is best for you to use and get around the hype surrounding most products on the market.
About the Author:
Author: Top personal trainer Russ Howe PTI will show you which whey protein is best to match your fitness goals. The new 5 step guide will also reveal how to build muscle now.
