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.
You see, the reason health and fitness supplements are a billion dollar industry is not because they are fantastic. It's because each year, tens of thousands of people spend money on products they don't need or don't fully understand, expecting a quick fix solution.
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.
Rather than believing a product is essential because it tells you to, it's quite easy to learn what to look for on the ingredients list. The three things below will help you do this.
* Is the first ingredient hydrolized, isolate or concentrated whey?
* How much protein is provided in each serving?
* How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
If you can learn how to understand the three rules above you'll have far less trouble when buying your next supplement. Let's start by explaining the first item, which asks about the form of protein listed as the main ingredient in the product.
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.
The next thing for consideration is the amount of protein you will be getting from each shake. Don't be fooled into believing that more is better. Our bodies can only handle 20-30 grams at any one time, with the rest being excreted as waste. So don't worry too much about those products which claim to hit you with 50+ grams in each shake.
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 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 personal trainer Russ Howe PTI will teach you which whey protein is best to suit your workout goals. His free 5 step guide will also reveal how to build muscle now.
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