Whey protein products, such as our Whey Protein 80, are probably the most popular sports supplement on the market today. Whey protein has been a staple of the athletic diet for many years. Whey protein is lauded by strength athletes and bodybuilders for the vast array of training and physique benefits it can provide. Whey protein is considered essential for muscle contraction, growth and repair. These factors should all be considered when undertaking resistance training.

Benefits of Whey Protein for Resistance Training

Whey protein is thought to be the best form of protein for the body to digest and use. Whey protein is rich is glutamine and branched chain amino acids (BCAAs). These are considered essential amino acids for anyone who trains by providing an energy source to counteract muscle breakdown and support recovery.  Whey protein is also used for maintaining several metabolic processes and for controlling body composition alongside resistance training. Taking whey protein is also a great way to increase your daily protein intake. The general consensus in sports nutrition is that strength athletes can gain benefits between 1.7-3 grams of protein per kg of bodyweight. Whey protein is often considered a highly cost effective way of getting sufficient protein to support muscle growth.

Whey Protein for Muscle Growth

Protein is essential for muscular contraction, growth and repair. Muscle growth relies on adequate protein being available. As whey protein is the most efficient source of protein that the body can use, it is an excellent choice for supporting muscle growth and definition.

During a heavy weights session your muscles are forced into protein breakdown. The body uses amino acids for energy and/or to synthesise new protein. Consuming whey protein is therefore useful in obtaining a positive protein balance after resistance training. This simply means that protein intake and synthesis is higher than protein breakdown. This positive balance is thought to underpin muscle growth. A post-workout whey protein shake is one of the best ways to get protein into the body so that it can be delivered to your muscles to restore the conditions of positive protein balance.

Whey Protein for Recovery from Resistance Training

Whey protein is arguably the most important nutrient for recovery. The most important time to consume enough of it is immediately after a workout. After intense strength training your body requires a supply of nutrients to the ‘damaged’ muscles to help them recover. Research has shown that immediately following resistance training muscles have a ‘sponge like’ property. The muscle is thought to be able to absorb more protein at this point than at any other time of the day. Whey protein is considered to be the most efficient and economical form of protein for the body to digest and use. Therefore adding a large dose of fast-acting whey protein post-workout will greatly help to kick-start the recovery process.