Protein supplements for weight training--yea or nay?

[Univibe]

I'm not looking to be Mr. Bulko, I just want to stay in shape. I eat good meals otherwise. Should I use protein supplements? If so, which kind?

[jaklcrow]

It all depends.

Easy answer is probably.

The general number you want to shoot for in grams of protein daily is around .75-1g per lb daily.

Most people will accomplish this much easier with a protein supp. Say u weight 200lbs, thats a lot of meat and dairy to eat.

There are lots of great brands but I would recommend Optimum Nutrition. Buy it from bodybuilding.com, best prices and fast shipping. Gaspari is another great brand as well.

[Endur]

If you don't want to bulk up use a lean muscle growth protein.

I cycle between ON hydro builder and cytosport monster milk. Both very similiar to each other; low cal, different proteins for fast and slow reacting, low sugar, includes aminos and creatine for faster recovery.

Like the previous poster hit on your grams of protein intake depends on your goal. Build bulk muscle=more than your body weight in grams a day, build lean muscle=you body weight in grams or slightly less.

A good diet goes miles as well as a good multivitimin like the gnc men sport line up etc.. ones with good precursors.

I take a shake in the morning, a pre before I workout and another shake before bed for my anabolic period. Once I reach my desired leaness and endurance level I plan on doubling my protein intake to bulk up and build strength. Ones reach desired size and strength goals I will cut down slightly and then maintain endurance and strength levels.

Have a plan, whatever your desired goal.

[anthony1]

Regular food works just the same, taste a lot better too. Supplements are pretty much a waste as long as you can manage to eat a proper diet.

[DustinM]

I'm not in a favor of using diet pills or supplements because they can be only effective if you do exercise regularly along with using them otherwise these pills can only cause side effects to your body so try to take proper diet regularly as it is extremely important.

[Wake27]

http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3509954

This is what I use and really like. My goals are similar to yours. I'm not interested in size, more so performance and recovery increase. GNC always has sales too.

[Smash]

I highly recommend supplementing protein intake with protein shakes.

They are "supplements". They are meant to supplement your diet.

For a lot of people it's a matter of not having the time or money to have good quality protein rich meals at all times.

It's a lot quicker to make a protein shake than to buy the food and find a place to cook the meat given you're at work or school. Plus depending on the individual it's not possible to refrigerate any food they would like to bring due to location(Again work or school)

93/7 lean ground beef is the highest fat ratio that I think is "healthy". Right now it's going for around $5/lb. There's about 100g of Protein in a lb of 93/7. 100g of protein in a powder is a much smaller price.

This shouldn't be your only source, but if you find it hard to eat 2lbs of meat every single day its a great option.

[WillBrink]

I'm not looking to be Mr. Bulko, I just want to stay in shape. I eat good meals otherwise. Should I use protein supplements? If so, which kind?

It depends. What do you want from the product? If using additional protein, whey is generally the way to go. See other thread on free download covering whey called "50 shades of whey" as whey has some unique properties not found in other protein sources.

[WillBrink]

I'm not in a favor of using diet pills or supplements because they can be only effective if you do exercise regularly along with using them otherwise these pills can only cause side effects to your body so try to take proper diet regularly as it is extremely important.

Your comments make no sense and have no basis in science.

[QuickStrike]

Depends on your goals.


As in, do you really want to see results or just go through the motions and say that you go to the gym?


I don't think this is even a question for any semi-serious strength athlete or savvy lifter.


Not all pills and supplements are freakin' steroids.