dalewakelin
New member
I was just wondering when is the best time to have protein shakes, some people say before and others say after :S
Protein shakes before or after workout?
- Thread starter dalewakelin
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jamesriley94
New member
Muscles grow by creating microtears in themselves, and then protein filling up the holes of the tears.
ie - without protein, your muscles won't grow, only ache a lot.
Before, during (with water) and after is what I'd do - assuming you're wanting to build a lot of muscle?
But it depends really on what you're hoping to gain out of it.
Edit - and at 14, I probably wouldn't be looking into it too seriously.
Your body is still growing. Creating tears in muscles when they're growing isn't the best idea, as half the protein is used up in growing anyway.
I wouldn't really want to look into things like that too seriously at your age
ie - without protein, your muscles won't grow, only ache a lot.
Before, during (with water) and after is what I'd do - assuming you're wanting to build a lot of muscle?
But it depends really on what you're hoping to gain out of it.
Edit - and at 14, I probably wouldn't be looking into it too seriously.
Your body is still growing. Creating tears in muscles when they're growing isn't the best idea, as half the protein is used up in growing anyway.
I wouldn't really want to look into things like that too seriously at your age
MrKambo
New member
Depends on what type of shake, and how it's designed to work
Pre workout shakes
Post workout shakes
All in ones etc.
The way shakes are most effective, are when they are taken as a part of a meal, so a calorie/protein boost.
For me, I take one in the morning when I wake up along with breakfast, which is about 3 hours before my workout, then one straight after my workout, I then have lunch shortly after, then I have one before I go to work, which is 2 hours after lunch, then have one when I have dinner which is 8-10 hours after the last serving, obviously between meals I snack which keep me topped up
On non workout days, one with breakfast and one before I go to work, you haven't stressed your body enough to consume 3-4 servings of shakes so pointless taking it.
You need to kinda of experiment with them, rule of thumb is, if you shit after drinking the shake, I'm talking within 15-30 mins then its not needed
Now don't take everything I said as gospel, but best advice I was given was to experiment with my diet and see what works for me
Pre workout shakes
Post workout shakes
All in ones etc.
The way shakes are most effective, are when they are taken as a part of a meal, so a calorie/protein boost.
For me, I take one in the morning when I wake up along with breakfast, which is about 3 hours before my workout, then one straight after my workout, I then have lunch shortly after, then I have one before I go to work, which is 2 hours after lunch, then have one when I have dinner which is 8-10 hours after the last serving, obviously between meals I snack which keep me topped up
On non workout days, one with breakfast and one before I go to work, you haven't stressed your body enough to consume 3-4 servings of shakes so pointless taking it.
You need to kinda of experiment with them, rule of thumb is, if you shit after drinking the shake, I'm talking within 15-30 mins then its not needed
Now don't take everything I said as gospel, but best advice I was given was to experiment with my diet and see what works for me
dalewakelin
New member
I used to work out 2 times a week but then I had an injury freerunning so I wasn't able to work out for a while and then I just forgot to start again. I'm planning on maybe having a protien shake every second workout or something. I really just want to get in shape for doing freerunning again. Also I just do freerunning for fun I'm not much of a ninja lol
MrKambo
New member
If you workout I mean weight lift, that's pointless for free running, long story short the weight you'll put on will slow you down, make you less agile!
I'd personally forget the shakes, and eat healthy and drink lots of water, get yourself out and about running, should only be consuming shakes if you're looking at building muscle massively
I'd personally forget the shakes, and eat healthy and drink lots of water, get yourself out and about running, should only be consuming shakes if you're looking at building muscle massively
dalewakelin
New member
I will be lifting weights because I need to be able to lift my own body wieght for certain jumps. I will probably just finish the sachet I have and not get more and hopefully I should have a bit more muscle. I think I am probably underwieght too atm despite how much I eat. I'm not the tallest person in the world so that plays a part lol
jamesriley94
New member
Not pointless to lift weights if free running at all...
Pointless to life heavy weights yes...
Heavy weights, minimal reps builds muscle.
Lighter weights, a lot of reps makes muscles stronger, and have better endurance.
I agree to an extent about only consuming protein shakes if he's looking at building muscles massively. But protein still helps with growth and will still help with muscle building for endurance.
Don't go over the top on it. Get in the mindset of having a high protein diet without shakes. Think like 3 eggs for breakfast, lots of milk during the day...etc - you get the picture.
But obviously you aren't going to stick to that every day, so on days that you don't, maybe top up with shakes then to get to a similar kind of amount as if you were keeping to a strict high protein diet.
Obviously still eat healthily, but you're still young. This really doesn't matter too much.
Just don't mix cardio and weights together as they can often counteract if done within very close proximity of each other. Maybe a run every morning then just low weights, lots of reps on days that you go to the gym.
Pointless to life heavy weights yes...
Heavy weights, minimal reps builds muscle.
Lighter weights, a lot of reps makes muscles stronger, and have better endurance.
I agree to an extent about only consuming protein shakes if he's looking at building muscles massively. But protein still helps with growth and will still help with muscle building for endurance.
Don't go over the top on it. Get in the mindset of having a high protein diet without shakes. Think like 3 eggs for breakfast, lots of milk during the day...etc - you get the picture.
But obviously you aren't going to stick to that every day, so on days that you don't, maybe top up with shakes then to get to a similar kind of amount as if you were keeping to a strict high protein diet.
Obviously still eat healthily, but you're still young. This really doesn't matter too much.
Just don't mix cardio and weights together as they can often counteract if done within very close proximity of each other. Maybe a run every morning then just low weights, lots of reps on days that you go to the gym.
MrKambo
New member
I do apologise, should have worded it better, yes lifting heavy weights is pointless
Just trying to think of it objectively, I mean maybe doing press ups and pull ups and abs workout would be more beneficial at this stage rather than hitting the gym. You would be surprised at how much strength you can gain by just being able to lift your own body weight.
Just trying to think of it objectively, I mean maybe doing press ups and pull ups and abs workout would be more beneficial at this stage rather than hitting the gym. You would be surprised at how much strength you can gain by just being able to lift your own body weight.
dalewakelin
New member
All I drink is milk usually anyway so that shouldn't be too hard and the other stuff I usually do anyway so that's all good.
MacLeod
New member
If youre just looking to lose a few pounds and get in better shape, a protein shake is not really needed. Theyre best used to dump 30-40 grams of protein into your body 30-45 minutes after a good weightlifting session when youre body is most wanting nutrients.
For what youre looking to do, a small shake after a workout wouldnt be a bad idea cause your body is still needing protein and other nutrients to rebuild with but you dont need one of those 2000 calorie mass builders like a weightlifter would.
So yeah, within 30-45 minutes of a workout, a small protein shake that also has a small amount of carbs in it wouldnt hurt. But honestly you would be just fine going with nothing and just eating right throughout the day. Protein shakes are really meant for people like weightlifters that need a stupid amount of protein each day but cant force themselves to eat 200 grams of protein in a day. Theyre not really meant for the casual fitness workout.
For what youre looking to do, a small shake after a workout wouldnt be a bad idea cause your body is still needing protein and other nutrients to rebuild with but you dont need one of those 2000 calorie mass builders like a weightlifter would.
So yeah, within 30-45 minutes of a workout, a small protein shake that also has a small amount of carbs in it wouldnt hurt. But honestly you would be just fine going with nothing and just eating right throughout the day. Protein shakes are really meant for people like weightlifters that need a stupid amount of protein each day but cant force themselves to eat 200 grams of protein in a day. Theyre not really meant for the casual fitness workout.
