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Monthly Archives: March 2012

Core 150 ™ Protein Shakers help close the Muscle Recovery Window

Getting the best results from your whey protein requires perfect timing.  The optimum time to consume your protein is around 40 minutes after a workout.  This is the time your muscles need protein the most in order to heal and grow.  Your body starts to heal muscle fibres directly after a workout so delivering protein into the body at this time will ensure it has the fuel it needs to recover quickly and efficiently and you do this by releasing your choose protein powder via one of three internal storage compartments on offer by Core 150 ™ Protein Shakers.

The ‘muscle recovery window’ as it is known is the one-hour period that immediately follows exercise. This is when your muscle recovery is much more pronounced than any other time and also when any nutrition you take on board will be absorbed faster too.  Core 150 ™ is the worlds first triple-compartment sports shaker and holds a thirst quenching 1 Litre of water for hydration that will help to replenish any fluid lost during physical exertion and carb re-loading will help to replenish the fuel in your muscles, but it’s the whey protein that’s going to give you the most benefit post-workout.

By consuming protein during this window after each of your training sessions, you will start to experience faster and more effective muscle gains than ever before.  The Journal of Physiology recently revealed a study where subjects were given a protein supplement either 2 hours after exercise or immediately after.  Those that were given the protein supplement immediately after their workout experienced a 15% improvement in strength and an 8% improvement in muscle size whilst those who consumed their protein later experienced no difference in strength or muscle size.

It’s not only important to ensure you get the best protein shakes into your system, but also when you take them on-board.  You’ll always come across people who do things differently and you need to find what works for you – for example you might want to take protein one hour before you train too – but the one-hour post workout window is what you need to remember and you need to try and aim for 30-40 minutes after training to get the best results from your protein and to ensure your muscles can repair and grow faster.

The good news is that many of the protein powder developers on the market today give clear and concise instruction on how to take your protein and when so you should be left in no doubt how to use your protein shakes.  When protein is taken correctly and at the right time you can expect to experience some really awesome results!

Shaker Cups have just got trendy are you due an upgrade?

Do you use a shaker cup for your protein shakes? If you’re using a ‘shake and go’ cup that allows you to take just one mixed shake to the gym, then you might be due an upgrade. You see, going down the local gym with a standard protein shaker nowadays is like going to the gym with a sweat band and luminous vest top on then wondering why you get some funny looks. Using standard shakers may also lose you some serious gym cred by finding yourself being subjected to comments such as “you can’t be serious about your nutrition using that” or “are you still using a tape deck to listen to your music? Nice shaker” to mention just a few humorous comments. However, on a more serious note, shaker cups have evolved somewhat over the past few decades in both design and construction and those changes have dramatically improved the safety and convenience of the modern day protein shaker.

You may have heard of the changes made to many consumer plastic products. Baby bottles, flasks, drinks bottles, and shaker cups have in the past been made from plastic, but more recently many manufacturers have changed their production techniques to use FDA approved polypropylene instead. The FDA has approved polypropylene for food contact and as a result many manufacturers across the food and beverage industry have modified their containers so they provide a safer alternative to plastic.

Shaker cups themselves hadn’t changed much until a few years ago when the first compartmentalised cup was introduced. These cups allowed you to take powdered protein in a compartment ready to mix whenever the need arose. These cups were and still are very popular, but they only allow athletes and bodybuilders to carry one does of protein with them. For those taking protein before, during and after training, this was no good.

There are now cups on the market with two compartments such as smartshake (excluding the cup) and the new Core 150 which has even three separate compartments (excluding the cup). The compartments or pods are inside the cup and give you the perfect vessel for carrying your entire day’s supply of protein whilst still having the feel and convenience of a standard shaker cup. Life’s too short to be messing around with lots of different containers measuring powder on the go. What you need is a shaker bottle that does it all and that also ensures your protein is delivered in an exact measurement as well as mixed to the smoothest and most palatable consistency.

If you’re looking for a shaker cup that can fulfil all of your needs and ensure you always have enough protein to hand the new Core 150 protein shaker holds a staggering 150g of protein measured across a number of containers. That means you need never take a huge protein powder package around with you or have to measure out your powder on the fly. Each protein dose is ready when you are and kept dry and fresh in its own individual compartment.

The most important part of training is the training. You don’t want to have the worry of when and where you are going to mix your protein or risk that the local gym sells quality pre, during or post workout supplements. The new shaker cups on the market today make it easier and more convenient than ever before to take your protein supplements on the go and they are available at a really affordable price online. So throw away your old plastic bottle and upgrade to a brand new Core 150 ™ triple compartment shaker bottle instead and be the talk of the gym for all the right reasons.

 

Guy Talking On Your Cell Phone at the Gym Please Read This

I thought that reblogging this artilce would be a great idea as a loud and clear message about one of my pet peeves, one that I think we will all be able to relate to which is the “Guy Talking On His Cell Phone at the Gym”, it is not necessary to answer your cell phone just to tell someone that you can’t talk to them right now and that you’ll call them back later. There is a service – sometimes referred to as an answering service or “voice mail”- which will explain this situation to anyone who calls you and allow them to leave any pertinent information they have in a “recorded message.”

If you are answering your cell phone just to tell someone that you can’t talk to them right now because you are at the gym only because you really want people to know you’re at the gym, I feel 5 % amused and 5% sorry for you. What makes up the other 90% of my emotions? Anger that you are 20 inches from me and talking on your cell phone at the gym.

Guy Talking On His Cell Phone at the Gym, I understand from the business-like nature and frequency of your calls that you are probably a very important businessman, or at least would love to come off that way while on the elliptical machine at the gym.

May I offer you some advice on how you conduct your business? Perhaps you could use less horrifying and banal strings of business clichés, such as “I’ll have to pick his brain about that,” or “I’d just like to move forward with this project,” or “between you and me, money talks, my friend,” or “time is money.” Perhaps you could also not remind whoever is on the line how serious and aggressive and powerful you are – it’s better to establish such traits subtly, through action and results.

And perhaps – and this is merely a suggestion – you could make your business calls before or after your paltry 25-minute elliptical workout, in which you don’t even lift weights afterward like I do.  This way, your business partner or client would not have to hear you huffing and wheezing and panting in between words like a drowning pig coming up for air.

Guy Talking On His Cell Phone at the Gym, talking on your cell phone at the gym will not make your hair grow back, no matter how long and loud you talk.

Guy Talking On His Cell Phone at the Gym, your paltry 25-minute workout on the elliptical machine, in which you don’t even lift weights afterward like the rest of us, is made even less effective because one cannot properly both use a cardio machine and talk on the cell phone. I can often see your distance and calorie stats, GTOHCPATG, and even though you might think it is efficient to exercise and conduct vague, egotistical business at the same time, I’m guessing that you are doing neither activity well.

Guy Talking On His Cell Phone at the Gym, I thought it was really funny when you tried to send a text message while on the elliptical and was not sorry when you lost your balance and maybe hurt yourself a little. However, I’m not sure you learned your lesson about annoying multitasking and I secretly wish that you had fallen all the way off the machine. Then I could have looked down at you and said, “Text your friend about that!”

Why the Right Amount of Whey Protein Delivery From Core 150™ is Important

If you’re serious about your bodybuilding regime, you’re going to want to do it right for the best results.  Taking whey protein powder is one of the best ways of achieving fast and efficient muscle gain, but you have to ensure you are putting the right amount in.  Too little and you won’t experience the effects you desire and too much and you could be doing your body more harm than good.  But what’s the right amount and why?

As with any substance you put in your body, you have to be careful with your whey protein dosage.  Whilst the human body is great at disposing of toxins and waste products, it is possible to overload the digestive system and this could lead to serious problems.

Whey protein has many positive effects on the body when training, but when consumed in excess it can have negative side effects.  When we consume too much protein and insufficient fibre and carbs, the body can be thrown into a state called ketosis.  Those who have tried the Atkins Diet before will know all about this state.  Ketosis results from having too many ketones in your system and this can cause the body to increase insulin resistance and also glucose intolerance.  As a result your kidneys will overworked and this can lead to serious kidney problems over time.  Other symptoms of excessive whey protein consumption include dizziness, concentration problems, and severe headaches.  Your liver will also be working overtime to rid your body of the toxins and waste that is building up in your system.

Most bodybuilders and elite athletes consume between 25-50g of whey protein each shake.  Over time you’ll get to know the best amount of whey protein powder that suits your needs and training schedule and you should never listen to advice that tells you to overload on whey protein powder for increased muscle gain.  You will simply be giving your body more than it can digest or use efficiently and therefore putting too much stress on your organs not to mention your wallet!

Whey protein powder can be one of the best ways of achieving the physique you want and should play an important part in your overall training and diet regime. Try to take a combination of whey protein and protein-rich foods during the day to ensure you get the right balance of different proteins into your diet.  Your muscles will thank you for it.  Combining the right amount of protein with a balanced diet and a sensible training schedule will ensure awesome and safe results.

Shaker Bottles Are Becoming the Ultimate Training Partner

The good news is that many manufacturers have released excellent shaker bottles on the market that are designed especially for the fitness aficionado in mind. Whether you’re training on track or weights, you’re going to need a convenient solution to deliver your next protein fix and the new multi compartment Core 150 sports shaker bottle leads the pack.

As any bodybuilder knows, training is the number one priority. You don’t have time to spend rushing around mixing shakes or measuring out quantities with multiple tubs. That’s why shaker bottles are an essential piece of kit when it comes to perfecting your regime and ensuring you get the best results. The original multi compartment shakers where seen to be the next big by storing powder, but storing is enough as you will need to ensure that you are not over consuming your supplements. With Core 150 all you need to do is pour your chosen supplement from one of the three internal compartments which hold an exact 50g measurement. When you are read you can then tip the powder into your shaker cup and add the recommended amount of water and pop it in your gym bag. Your protein is then ready to mix on the spot without you having to leave the gym or training ground.

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Protein shakes are essential for delivering ample amounts of protein to fuel the muscles and for recovery after a workout. Having the right amount of protein to hand is therefore essential to results. A shaker bottle with special compartments for water and whey protein, intra-workout and recovery supplements is the perfect way to deliver supplementation when you need it the most. Core 150 Shaker bottles are leak-proof, easy to carry and affordable. They are the perfect way to mix your protein on the go and ensure you get the right amount when your body needs it. It’s important that you select the right shaker bottle so look out for reputable stockists or buy direct from core150.com.

Many protein shake manufacturers give away protein shaker bottles but with the new guidelines being enforced it is unlikely free shakers will be anywhere near the quality of FDA, BPA or meet the required Food Grade Plastic standards used in higher end shaker cups such as the Core 150. You’ll also need to take care of your shaker bottle to ensure it doesn’t start to develop unpleasant odours. Washing your bottle out at the end of each session and use, will ensure your shaker bottle stays looking and smelling its best. With Core 150 there is no need for any other gimmicks or accessories shaker cup related to ensure you get the most from your training regime. Keep your gym bag dry, your life convenient, and your body topped up with the protein it needs with the new Core 150 shaker cup.

The best thing about protein shakes

There are many building blocks that go into a healthy body and a healthy balanced diet delivers most of these building blocks easily.  However, there are times when the body needs a little extra help and where muscle growth is concerned, only one thing will do – protein!  And lots of it!

There is no substitute for protein when it comes to building muscles and keeping them in optimum condition.  Protein is essential for building muscle mass and there is no other nutrient on the planet that can rebuild muscle fibre as efficiently or as quickly.  A hard workout, no matter how much you stretch or prepare your muscles, will result in some muscle damage.  This is nothing to be concerned about and protein will ensure your muscles have the resources on hand to self-repair.  Inadequate protein intake can really stifle your performance and your progress so it’s important you get enough to suit your needs.

Whey proteins in the form of protein shakes are a bodybuilders best friend.  Whilst it’s great to take in as much protein-rich food as possible, it’s not always easy or convenient to do so.  In today’s fast-paced world, junk food and quick eats are so easy to reach out for.  This can mean you don’t get as much protein into your body as you need when working out.  Protein shakes are the perfect way to fill this gap and they will ensure your body and muscles get the best support possible.

Protein powder shakes can be taken anywhere with a protein shaker bottle and this is one of the best things about them.  Many bodybuilders choose to pre-mix their shakes and take them to the gym whilst others like to buy single serving shakes in cans.  The great thing about the industry is that new products are constantly being introduced onto the market making protein intake so much easier.

So, it’s easy to see how important protein is for muscle growth, but you also need to ensure you are getting enough.  The ‘pound rule’ is a good one to remember.  To build muscle mass bodybuilders should aim for between 1.5-2g of protein for every pound of body weight.  You need to do this every day and the only way to ensure you do this right is to invest in some good quality protein shakes packed with at least 95% protein.

For a bodybuilder, protein is one of the most important supplements they can have in their gym locker.  Without the right amount, you could actually be causing damage to your muscles.

Beware of the Gimmick Shaker Bottles

If you love gimmicks then this article is not for you but my job as an article writer for the sports industry is to give you the low-down on what’s happening together with bringing you useful and honest impartial advice that can be used to both better yourself as an athlete as well as get the very best out of your nutrition.

In the past the supplement industry has been littered with gimmicks and claims that have gone pretty much unsubstantiated, and it has taken action from the FDA, MHRA and the OFT (Office Of Fair Trading) to force companies be honest and transparent when marketing and manufacturing sports supplements. Thankfully the industry has benefited greatly from the clean up making supplements far more research driven than ever before with the end user now reaping the benefits.

But it now appears like it’s the shaker markets turn to make ridiculous claims with over marketing their products capabilities.

If a shaker bottle has to sell itself on the ability to blend and or mix a protein powder it is doing a distinct injustice to the powders and manufacturers of the products that its primary function is intended for. Most supplement manufacturers spend tens of thousands on ensuring the quality of their protein with the main focus being on MIXABILITY and TASTE.

I instantly lose faith in any shaker bottle that markets itself to me with the main selling point being how well it will mix my powder, and the one thing that instantly springs to mind is GIMMICK.  But how do you tell one quality shaker apart from another? Pay attention to the following:

  1. Good clean honest marketing
  2. If you are looking for a bottle just to mix your shake then a standard shaker will be good enough
  3. When setting out to invest in a shaker cup with storage make sure they carry the right amount of nutrition and give you the ability to get the same measurement out that you put in. Over consumption of protein may have a detrimental impact on any dietary goals
  4. Make sure that no shaker company markets the shaker cup as being a storage compartment
  5. If they are selling a product based on its ability to mix powders ASK for proof of any claims, including the name of the supplement company used in the blending test. In my opinion you won’t find any supplement company that would lend itself to such a test.
  6. Make sure the mixing claims and research stretches beyond a You Tube video
  7. You will know the mix ability and quality of your whey protein, but if you are new to supplements then check with the manufacturer/protein company directly on the mix ability of their protein powder and ask them if you need a shaker in order for it to be both drinkable and enjoyable, the response will be an obvious one.

I have read some serious claims from shaker cups trying to make me feel like I will have a lesser quality protein shake experience unless I buy their new super duper mixing device.

This may have been true in the 90′s when thick shakes and a lack of flavors where expected when consuming protein, but with today’s advancement  in the manufacturing of sport nutrition and in particular whey protein the likely hood of you needing anything more than the correct volume of water to mix a shake is highly unlikely, and in short any standard shaker bottle is suffice when it comes to mixing your shake.