Protein shakes

Griff77

Hi, hope someone can help.

My friend plays rugby and as part of their training does proper gym weights plus some aerobic work. I play gaelic football with a small amount of circuit training (press ups, sit ups, squats etc) but mostly it consists of aerobic work and speed work. He believes that protein would be of benefit to the recovery and conditioning of my muscles.

I thought that protein is for putting on muscle and not recovery? Would, as part of my training, drinking protein shakes help my recovery and is there any danger with taking to much protein? How much should I drink? Does protein help with conditioning for running etc...

I'm sure this has been asked before but couldn't find any links to it.

Thanks in advance

An Citeog

A good weights programme on top of your football training would be ideal. You probably train twice a week with your team (?), so another 2/3 times a week in the gym should supplement that. There are far more knowledgeable people here than me who can give you better advice on what to do in the gym.

As regards protein, it depends on your diet. Lean meat (particularly chicken), eggs, fish and nuts are all great sources of protein. Try getting the majority of your protein requirements from whole, unprocessed foods like these and if that's not enough, you can try supplements. There are no real dangers with taking too much protein as it'll just pass through your body. The main effect will be on your wallet!

BossArky

An Citeog wrote: »

Lean meat (particularly chicken), eggs, fish and nuts are all great sources of protein.

Yep, tuna is the way forward. Buy at least ten 185g cans a week. Have one each day as a snack and maybe two on a weight training day.

crotalus667

An Citeog wrote: »

The main effect will be on your wallet!

Dont forget the farts that can strip paint :D

g'em

An Citeog wrote: »

As regards protein, it depends on your diet. Lean meat (particularly chicken), eggs, fish and nuts are all great sources of protein. Try getting the majority of your protein requirements from whole, unprocessed foods like these and if that's not enough, you can try supplements. There are no real dangers with taking too much protein as it'll just pass through your body. The main effect will be on your wallet!

Spot on. griff, there's nothing protein shakes can do that a good diet can't do better. Take a look at how well you're eating - as said, plenty of lean meats, fish, eggs will give you all the protein you need, and eating healthily and regularly and resting plenty is the best thing you can do to make sure you recover well.

Griff77

Thanks for the responses. Will look into doing a bit more gym work and i'll look into the diet. Seems like a better bet than the shakes. Don't fancy the thoughts of tuna tho, even the smell ugh...;)