The world is full of bodybuilding supplements – some useful and some not. Some supplements are useless for almost everybody. Others work well with some groups, and not for others. Then there are some supplements are good for everyone, as they provide a proven nutrient which the body obviously needs for muscle growth. One of these – and probably the best weight lifting supplement out there – is whey protein. Let’s look at some of the situations each day when this supplement can be useful. In most instances, either one scoop (22 grams) or two scoops (44 grams) of whey protein will be consumed with cold water.
Pre- or During-Workout
Some bodybuilders will sip a mixture of whey protein, waxy maize, creatine and glutamine before or during their workout. This will help to fill the bloodstream with these useful compounds, but may be very disruptive to the workout itself.
Post-workout
Within ten minutes of completing your workout, you should consume 2 scoops of whey protein with either waxy maize or a simple dextrose in order to help shuttle the much-needed amino acids to your muscle groups to begin assisting with recovery.
Before Sleep
Whey is a fast-burning protein which is digested in 45 to 90 minutes. For this reason, it is not a good choice to be consumed before bed. Casein protein powder takes up to 8 hours to digest and is preferable. However, if your options are to drink whey or drink nothing, opt for the whey!
During Sleep
Many young bodybuilders, desperate to gain muscle mass, will set their alarm clocks to awaken them in the middle of the night for a quick whey protein feeding. It is the best weight lifting supplement, and you are no doubt engaging in an advantage over your peers by drinking late at night. But the disruption in sleep may not be worth it to some users.
Upon rising
We face many obligations in the morning. Getting showered, dressed, shaved, and in the car to make it to work on time can be very stressful. Finding time to prepare a plate of steak and eggs isn’t always easy. If you have a family, then you know time is even more limited in these early hours. Instead of spending those first 45 or 90 minutes in a caloric-deprived state, why not consume a single scoop of whey with water immediately upon rising? It will halt all catabolic processes resulting from 8 hours of starvation, and help you to select a more sensible full breakfast later.
It is obviously not necessary, nor even advisable, to consume whey protein six or more times per day. Your body needs a variety of protein sources. Aside from that, you’d probably go crazy from boredom with such a diet. Some bodybuilders will end up on a similar diet immediately before a show, and their insanity is often very visible to those around them. Use whey protein during any of these time periods when real food is not an option due to time, budget, or other restraints. And remember it makes a great snack. Whey protein really is the single best weight lifting supplement – just as long as it is used in moderation!
