November 30, 2023
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bodybuilding

Tips For Choosing the Best Protein Powder For Bodybuilding

Laura05 mins

Professional bodybuilders are required to follow a low-carb, high protein diet in order to maximize muscle gains and improve their performance. A high quality nutrition program ensures optimal recovery after intensive training sessions and competitions, which in turn boosts performance over time. Making sure the right type of protein powder is being consumed at regular intervals throughout the day is essential for overall health and metabolic efficiency.
There are several different types of protein powders available on the market, and the final choice depends on whether the athlete is on a vegan diet, an ultra low-carb diet, or if they are allergic to milk or soy products. The most common types of protein powders and shakes available are: soy protein powders; whey protein powders; calcium caseinate protein powders; and rice protein powders. Individuals who want to add these powders to their nutrition program can ask the following questions to determine which types will be the best fit with their specific dietary needs:
1. Is the protein powder available in a ready-to-drink format? Many nutrition supplement companies make protein powders that can be consumed as a shake after adding water or juice, or in a ready-to-drink formula that can be consumed on the go. The ready-to-drink option can be valuable for those who lead very busy lifestyles and do not have the means to make a shake at home or at the office.
2. What amino acids does the protein powder contain? Read the ingredients list to find out what amino acids are included in the formula. Amino acids are essential for protein synthesis and muscle repair, and although some forms of protein have naturally occurring amino acids, many shakes and supplements contain more of these nutrients which can be valuable for the average athlete. John Hansen, author of the book, “Natural Bodybuilding” points out that consuming whey protein after a workout provides the most important amino acids for muscle cell repair and growth.
3. What flavors are available? Most brands of protein powder are available in plain, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and tropical flavors, making it easier for the average bodybuilder or athlete to enjoy a varied diet. Consider the different flavors or a particular brand, and taste test several varieties to make sure you enjoy the taste and texture of the product. This is especially important if you plan to buy the powder in bulk.
4. Is the powder designed to be a meal replacement or a snack? Selecting a meal replacement powder means you may need to make significant changes to your diet to accommodate for the new food item. Protein powders designed to be snacks are usually lower in calories than the meal replacement variety, and may be a better option for you if you are trying to stick with a low-calorie diet.
5. How can it be used? While most protein powders and supplements can be mixed easily with juice and water, some may not dissolve easily in shakes and soups. Try different brands and varieties to …

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Bodybuilding As a Legitimate Sport

Laura06 mins

Bodybuilding competitions have always been a top attention drawer and a box-office hit in the United States and elsewhere in the world. This discipline has also produced a number of big names in Hollywood. Not everyone knows though that this discipline is not generally accepted by sports governing bodies as a legitimate sport. Hopes of bodybuilding becoming into a legitimate sport is pinned down by drug controversies, which has hounded the discipline and the bodybuilders themselves.
Tainted with drugs
According the sports governing bodies, accepting bodybuilding as a legitimate sport would somehow tarnish the sports community as a whole amidst reports that some bodybuilders are actually using drugs to enhance their physique.
While there may really be some bodybuilders using enhancing drugs like steroids, there are those who developed enviable muscles and toned bodies the natural way.
True enough, there are really those who cheat in bodybuilding competitions. What else is new? Even outside the bodybuilding circle, there are cheats, and use of drug enhancers too. In fact, most (if not all sports) are tainted with drug controversies.
There are sport events, professional at that, that ends up in brawl because of the players’ unsportsmanlike behavior and yet it continues to reap patronage, popularity and revenue. There are many other sports rocked with the controversy brought about by an athlete, who has been found using illegal drugs to enhance his performance during the games. There are sports disciplines that were subjected to probe because of illegal gambling and game fixing.
And yet, they remain a legitimate sports discipline, generally accepted and recognized by international sporting organizations like the International Olympic Committee.
Punishing all for the sin of a few
As clamor grows for the inclusion of bodybuilding as a legitimate sport, so is its popularity and general awareness of what has lately been happening in the bodybuilding circle.
Efforts have been made to rectify lapses in the past involving musclemen into drugs, but it just seemed not enough to convince the sports governing bodies to reconsider.
To these sports governing bodies, there is just no way men, would be able to develop huge muscles without going into drug enhancers, even in the midst of a jam-packed auditorium where the general paying public show their acceptance by patronizing bodybuilding tilts.
Repackaging the image of bodybuilding
Amidst controversies hounding their bid to become a legitimate sport, there have been steps taken to repackage the reputation of bodybuilding.
From simply “bodybuilding”, the discipline is now being referred to as “natural bodybuilding” To the people behind the discipline it is far more different that what used to be. It’s all natural, as the new label says.
Natural bodybuilding has made a sweeping claim that greater majority in their circle are there for the right reasons. On top of the “right reasons”, they claim to have professionalism and right attitude in and out of the arena.
All natural
Accordingly, the men and women behind “natural bodybuilding” have internal safety nets in place to ensure that …

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