If you love nothing more than a feel-good cardio session, chances are you've asked yourself if it's really necessary to supplement your training with protein. Well, your buddies at HERMOSA are here to answer all your questions once and for all. Let's jump right in, so the next time you hit the gym, treadmill or bike trails, you'll know exactly why and when to use protein for cardio.
How Does Protein Powder Work?
Protein is a macronutrient that's vital for repairing and building muscle tissue. Not only does protein boost the recovery process, but it also helps to max out the intensity of your exercise with less fatigue and muscle breakdown. Good quality protein powders contain all nine essential amino acids, which your body uses to top up the protein your muscles lose during exercise and repair the micro-tears that happen whenever you work out.
Several studies have shown that consuming 20-25g of protein powder in one sitting should give you around 2.2-2.7g of muscle-building branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) leucine, which is enough to trigger the muscle protein synthesis process. That means a single scoop of protein powder can get the muscle-building process fired up. So, you need less protein powder than you think to keep your muscles primed for peak performance.
Is Protein Powder Good For Cardio?
Newsflash: protein powder isn't just for bodybuilders! In fact, protein powder is really useful for cardio workouts too. Here are just some of the benefits of taking protein powder if you love to rack up your cardio workouts.
The best protein powders for cardio can help:
- Increase strength and muscle mass by providing amino acids and fuel for your body.
- Improve your recovery time so that you can get back to training quicker.
- Reduce fatigue and muscle soreness, making it easier to stick to your routine.
Protein Powder Before Cardio
If you're looking to make the most of your cardio workouts, adding some protein powder to your pre-workout routine could be just what you need. As we've mentioned, protein helps to repair and rebuild hard working muscle tissues, which is important for any kind of physical activity – including cardio. So a good quality protein powder can help maximise the benefits of your cardio workout by providing the nutrients your body needs to recover faster.
High protein intake can even help you burn more fat during those long cardio sessions! So do yourself a favour and be sure to get your protein intake up before any kind of cardiovascular exercise. You'll thank yourself later!
Protein Powder After Cardio
Are you hitting the gym but not seeing the best results after your cardio sessions? Then it might be time to add some protein powder to your post-workout routine. Taking protein powder after cardio can have some major benefits for your overall health and fitness progress. If you're pounding the treadmill and failing to refuel properly, you could miss out on important nutrients that can help rebuild your muscles.
Taking protein powder after cardio is a great way to ensure your body gets the best nutrition to recover from all your hard work. Protein also helps with satiety, which means it will keep you feeling fuller for longer. So you're less likely to undo your gains by reaching for an unhealthy snack.
When Is The Best Time To Take Protein Powder?
If you forced our hand, we'd have to say the best time to take protein powder for cardio is straight after your workout (ideally within 30 minutes). This will maximise the absorption of key nutrients and help with muscle recovery. But either way is fine, and it really depends on what works best for you. You know your body best!
Protein Powder For Cardio
If you want to up your cardio game and get the best results possible, you definitely need to add some protein powder into your routine. Whether it's before or after your workout, protein powders are an awesome way to help your body reach optimal performance — you'll be reaping the rewards in no time.
When it comes to healthy, natural protein options for cardio, there are two stand-out choices: HERMOSA Whey Protein Powder or HERMOSA Vegan Protein Powder.
Our award-winning whey is made from premium whey protein concentrate from grass-fed cows, while our plant-based alternative is brimming with pea and hemp protein. Both offer a complete profile of essential amino acids to build lean muscle mass. Plus, they taste A-MA-ZING, thanks to all-natural flavourings and a sweet hint of Stevia.
Whatever type of cardio you're into, refuelling with HERMOSA protein powder is the sure-fire way to hit your goals and smash those PBs. So what are you waiting for? Fuel up with the best protein powders for cardio from HERMOSA, get your pulse racing, and enjoy that rush of endorphins. Happy training from Hermosa!
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