[Decreate]

I usually do about 30mins cardio after each work out and I was wondering whether the whey protein should be taken after the work out but before doing cardio or after cardio.

Thanks.

[Jason]

Both.

[KillMAH]

It depends upon what you need it for. Energywise, it's not going to do very much within 30 minutes. Depending upon how hard you're working out, you'll probably still be using your glycogen stores. The protein supplements will contribute some to your energy consumption if you take it at least 30 to 90 minutes before you work out. Otherwise, you're wasting your money in that regard.

Protein will be useful after you workout. About 1-2 hrs immediately following your workout, you continue to experience elevated metabolism, and protein is also more readily absorbed and utilized as an anabolic molecule at this time. Again, this depends upon the intensity and resistence vs repetitions of your workout.

[Decreate]

Thanks for the advice.

Another question I have is that I have been recommended by a friend that I should do my cardio workout on a separate day rather than straight after my weight training session as the cardio part of the work out would pretty much counteract against the weight training part of it. Is this true?

[neon_black88]

Originally Posted by Decreate

Thanks for the advice.

Another question I have is that I have been recommended by a friend that I should do my cardio workout on a separate day rather than straight after my weight training session as the cardio part of the work out would pretty much counteract against the weight training part of it. Is this true?

What? I really don't think so but I'll wait for someone more authoritive on the matter to answer that more fully.

BTW, you should be eating a meal every 3-4 hours so when you have your protein shouldn't matter to much, I usually have a shake in the morning for breakfast, and have normal meals (with as much protein as possible) during the day, then mabye sometimes straight after I lift wieghts i'll have a shake. I never concern myself with protein when doing cardio though, I just do it.

[sakeido]

I have always been told that you take just a straight protein shake before a workout, and then after the workout, you have a "recovery drink" that is half protein half carbs. You need the easily metabolized carbs to stop your body from digesting all the protein you are going to need to build muscle. The protein before a workout is just a safety measure too - just like the other guy said, you won't need it if your workout is only 30 minutes. I would recommend that if you are trying to build muscle quickly, your workouts are no more then 40-45 minutes and are very high intensity, and do 15 minutes of cardio four days a week (on your non-weightlifting days).

[KillMAH]

^ That is a great point. You should most definitely intake some intermediate carbs after you workout. Your muscles will be depleted of glycogen, and this is best repelnished within the first 40 minutes after your workout. Plus, the increased glucose in your blood will decrease your glucagon and elevate your insulin levels to make your metabolism more anabolic.

Cardio can be spaced out to suit your needs. It is a good idea to warm up with a little cardio, but a full-out cardio workout should be reserved for separate days.

[Decreate]

Thanks for all the advice so I guess I'll just do my cardio on a separate day than...

[JJ Rodriguez]

Working out seems so damn complicated Is there any kind of "Working out for dummies" books that say "Hey dumb shit, do this, this and this, 3 times a week, and do this 4 times a week, and you'll be Ahnold in no time"?

[Universalis]

In my experience, protein intake and cardio are not related. But hey, maybe it's just me and the way we do our workouts here.