There are a lot of misconceptions about Protein Powder. Just taking a protein shake after your workout wont get you results. But if you walk into most gyms chances are you'll see someone chugging a protein shake without really knowing what they're doing. So when should you use protein powder? Don't worry, the GYMCADDY Team will tell you exactly how to take protein powder!

First off lets get this out of the way, Protein powder is not some magical elixir that will make you pack on muscle over night. Just because you’re taking a protein shake after your workout doesn't guarantee you're going to get the results you’re looking for. And if you are working out and you’re not getting the results you’re looking for just taking a protein shake wont just help you make those gains. Also, taking a protein shake will make you gain weight if your diet and calorie intake aren't in check. Taking Whey Isolate Protein powder does work, but just as long was your diet and workout routine are in check.

How to use protein powder really depends on what your fitness goals are. If you’re a person trying to lose weight you should consider replacing your lunch or breakfast with two scoops of protein powder in water and a good carb source like a banana, a bowl of strawberries or an apple. Vis versa, if you're trying to gain weight then you should take a protein with 2 scoops of protein after your workout or in between meals. Protein powder is just a supplement to help you gain your daily protein needs. No matter what kind of Whey Isolate you use, protein powder still has calories that you must account for like any other food. If you take in too many calories in a day you will gain weight, and it doesn't matter where those calories come from. 

Contrary to popular belief, you don't NEED to take a protein shake after your workout. There is no such thing a 30 minute anabolic window where you need to take in protein after your workout or else you’re going to lose all you gains. This is just popular bro science. Just as long as you’re getting your daily macro nutrients need every single day you'll be fine. You can literally just take a protein shake in the morning with your breakfast and be fine. 

Also one big tip we give our clients regarding protein shakes is just keep it simple. You don't need to get all fancy with your protein shake recipes so that they taste like an apple pie strudel. Making complex protein shakes every day will make it a hassle to take protein shakes and might even put you over your calorie limit. All you need is a great tasting protein shake that mixes well. Our favorite protein shakes brands are either Optimum Nutrition or MTS Machine Whey. Both have great tasting flavors and are high quality whey protein powder. 

Protein Powder should only be used to help you reach your daily protein goals. If you’re working out hard and have your balance in check then you should be aiming for about a gram or protein for every pound of body weight. This is true for both men and women. As you go through out your day you may eat some food that are already packed with protein. Its your job to look at your macro nutrients through out the day to determine how many scoops of protein you need per day. For some people it may be one scoop, for others it may be 2, and in some cases some people might even require 4 scoops of protein powder per day. Just remember, just taking protein powder wont magically make you pack on muscle. Your workout regiment and diet must be in check. Protein powder is just there to help you meet your daily protein needs.