If you want to know how to build muscle on of the most important tips you can pick up is learning to utilize the post-workout window for nutrition. Today we'll be looking into this and teaching you how to get the most out of it.
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.
If you are a regular exercise enthusiast or trainer you may or may not have already heard people at your local fitness center or health spa talking about this. For a while it was simply a rumor, an almost mythical 'golden period' after a training session where your body would be able to make fantastic strides forward if you used the time wisely. It has since been proven to be a fact, of course, and today we're going to answer the most commonly asked questions. These include:
* What is the duration of the window?
* Are some foods superior to others after a workout?
* Why does this window even exist?
* What happens if you don't make use of the golden nutrition window?
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.
Your muscles are starving and they want to eat immediately. Whatever you decide to eat in this short period will be consumed as quickly as possible by your body. Try providing it with an already nutritious option and you'll notice that your body is able to make the absolute most of it.
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.
Using your own common sense you'll be able to now see that it wouldn't make be a great idea to start eating a source of complex carbohydrates because the window will have slammed shut before your body was able to break the food down...
The optimal post-workout meal is a combination of a whey protein shake, mixed with water for even quicker digestion, with some simple carbohydrates. The problem with simple carbs, of course, is that they are usually associated with fatty foods and it would be silly to eat junk food after a tough workout. So think about using a bowl of cereal or some fruit instead.
These provide your body with instant energy, which it's craving after you put it through the mill at the gym. It will do it's best to use absolutely everything you provide it with during this time, hence the term 'golden window', but the possibilities are magnificent if you focus on only providing it with healthy, nutritious food in the first place.
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.
Knowing how to build muscle or how to lose weight effectively is one thing, of course. Doing it is another thing entirely. You're now the proud owner of the information many people in the gym never discover. Use it wisely and it can push your own results to the next level.
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.
If you are a regular exercise enthusiast or trainer you may or may not have already heard people at your local fitness center or health spa talking about this. For a while it was simply a rumor, an almost mythical 'golden period' after a training session where your body would be able to make fantastic strides forward if you used the time wisely. It has since been proven to be a fact, of course, and today we're going to answer the most commonly asked questions. These include:
* What is the duration of the window?
* Are some foods superior to others after a workout?
* Why does this window even exist?
* What happens if you don't make use of the golden nutrition window?
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.
Your muscles are starving and they want to eat immediately. Whatever you decide to eat in this short period will be consumed as quickly as possible by your body. Try providing it with an already nutritious option and you'll notice that your body is able to make the absolute most of it.
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.
Using your own common sense you'll be able to now see that it wouldn't make be a great idea to start eating a source of complex carbohydrates because the window will have slammed shut before your body was able to break the food down...
The optimal post-workout meal is a combination of a whey protein shake, mixed with water for even quicker digestion, with some simple carbohydrates. The problem with simple carbs, of course, is that they are usually associated with fatty foods and it would be silly to eat junk food after a tough workout. So think about using a bowl of cereal or some fruit instead.
These provide your body with instant energy, which it's craving after you put it through the mill at the gym. It will do it's best to use absolutely everything you provide it with during this time, hence the term 'golden window', but the possibilities are magnificent if you focus on only providing it with healthy, nutritious food in the first place.
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.
Knowing how to build muscle or how to lose weight effectively is one thing, of course. Doing it is another thing entirely. You're now the proud owner of the information many people in the gym never discover. Use it wisely and it can push your own results to the next level.
About the Author:
Creator: Russ Howe PTI is the UK's most subscribed fitness instructor 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.