These days, it's impossible to learn how to build muscle without stumbling onto the topic of supplements. The industry has boomed over the last ten years, with more and more people opting for meal replacement shakes to help them achieve their goals in the gym. But with so many different options out there, how can you possibly tell which whey protein is best to suit your fitness goals?
As thousands of people begin new keep-fit ventures at the start of the year, it's almost impossible to miss the array of health and fitness products being promoted by supermarkets and local stores looking to cash in on the trend. However, to avoid wasting your hard earned money you need to take a few seconds to establish what you're actually looking for.
One of the biggest misunderstandings in the health and fitness industry is the importance played by dietary supplements. If you are to believe everything you read on the packaging, you'll undoubtedly begin feeling as if you need to be taking dozens of products in order to achieve any results. This is far from the truth.
However, while the industry itself may thrive upon confusing consumers in a bid to get them to part with more cash each month, the actual information at the foundation of each product is quite straightforward and simple. Much like a muscle building routine, not much has changed over the last 20 years despite the scientific advancements which have been made.
Everybody's different. We all have different body types and goals, so when every product claims to be the best thing ever to hit the market you should take that claim with a pinch of salt to say the least. The three points below will teach you what to look for.
* Is the first ingredient hydrolized, isolate or concentrated whey?
* How much protein is provided in each serving?
* How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
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?
For a protein supplement you'll see one of the three blends of whey listed first. It will read either hydrolized, isolate or concentrate. The difference between these blends is the speed they are digested into the muscles after a workout. Naturally, you want to provide your body with nutrition as quickly as you possibly can when you finish up in the gym, so hydrolized would be the perfect choice. However, hydrolized is usually the most expensive because of these added benefits. If you are on a budget and can only afford to purchase a concentrate formula don't be put off, it is still excellent and it still gets the job done. The actual difference in the performance of the three different blends doesn't justify the huge difference in prices.
How much protein is provided by each shake? Science tells us that our body can only handle between 20 and 30 grams in any one sitting, so all of those products which boast about hitting you with 40-50 grams tend to lead to unwanted fat gain.
The carbohydrate content of a product will tell you whether it's designed for somebody trying to bulk up or get leaner. If your product has a large carbohydrate content you can expect to put on size relatively quickly, whereas if it stays under the 10 gram mark it's designed with lean muscle in mind.
Now that you know the three most important factors in a supplement, you'll be able to figure out which whey protein is best for you using the simple steps shown above. If you are about to delve into the supplement market for the first time you will now be able to do so in confidence.
About the Author:
Writer: Top fitness coach Russ Howe PTI will show you which whey protein is best to suit your workout goals. His free 5 step video will also reveal how to build muscle quickly.