When is the right time to us protein and energy powders during a workout

Question

Ok I swim, and I am using a protein/energy supplement. When should I drink it? During the workout, before or after?

Answer 1

within 30 minutes after your workout

Answer 2

frankly it does not matter regarding how effective it will be but as a rule thumb never ever drink or eat anything like this while right before or after heavy activity .... it can make you quite sick..

take an hour of relaxation after youre activitys before drinking these products  

Answer 3

At least take time for your body to recover.

That can be an hour or two hours.

Take a hot bath to relax after a workout.

Space

Answer 4

I'm not sure what specific supplement you are using.  If it's a whey protein/Muscle Milk type agent then you should be drinking it within about 30-40 minutes after exercising.  If it's something like NO Xplode or some creatine/caffeine type thing, then I would advise you taking it about 30 minutes before working out.

Edit: Superpump 250 or NO Xplode are solid pre-workout supplements. If you just want to add mass/muscle take Muscle Milk (buy the lean stuff or you will get fat).

Answer 5

The energy supplement you should take before workout. Be sure it doesn't have too much caffeine in it or you'll crash pretty heavily. I am a soccer player and I use an energy drink called FRS. Works pretty well for me because it is low caffeine and sugar. It uses healthier ingredients to get me going. I found a free trial here http://www.voernix.com/2008/07/frs.html, otherwise I think you can get it at stores too.

As for protein you can take it both before workout and after. If you only want to take it once then take it after you workout. For protein either take a powder or a bar.

Answer 6

I would recommend you take creatine after your workout in your shake, this is because I have read that alot of people can be affected negatively if they take it before and it doesn’t help with their energy at all. Mix about 5grams of it with your whey protein and take it that way. The post workout shake is crucial and people mix in all sorts supplements together. Personally, I take 5g creatine, 50g whey protein, 30g carbs, and 3g L-Glutamine.

After your workout there is a window of opportunity for your diet. Your muscles and body is drained and so anything you consume is more likely to be absorbed and taken in by the muscles, this is when creatine is most affective and should have your muscles recharged and full of energy before your next workout.