Let’s say you’re working out. Regularly. Bear with me here. And you’re pumping weights, or running long distances, or doing some crazy Plyometrics with Shaun T in his INSANITY workout. Then, having exerted yourself for a little under an hour, you toss a towel over your shoulder and declare yourself done. Victory! A workout session finished. But what next? Should you just shower and go on about your merry way? No. As anybody who has studied this specific topic knows, following a workout your body has a 30 minute window of optimal nutrient absorption. So quick! Time to eat something. But what? This is where the smart money gets placed on a Recovery drink. Why? Find out!
Ok, so let’s ask some basic questions. What happens when you work out? Your muscles are subjected to micro-tears, and energy in the form of glucose is rapidly depleted, followed by glycogen reserves. So you’re tapped out, which is why you’re tired. Whatever you eat next will be used to replace those reserves, which is why a bunch of people chow down on protein immediately after so as to help fuel their muscle hypertrophy (fancy way of saying growth). But what about those glycogen reserves? If they’re not restocked by the next time you workout, odds are you’re going to feel tired and lethargic during your exercises. Which means less intensity, which means less gains.
This is where a fantastic P90X Recovery Formula comes in. During that precious 30 minute window, your body will store up to 3 times more glycogen that’s consumed than during any other time. Glycogen can be consumed in the form of carbs, and scientific research has shown that when a little protein is consumed along with those carbs, the amount of glycogen absorbed is optimized. What’s the correct ration of protein to carbs? About 1:4. It’s this perfect balance that a recovery drink strikes, ensuring maximal delivery of glycogen to depleted muscle cells, and helping you bounce back from a tough workout and be in fighting trim for the next one.
These facts are why recovery drinks are so popular. If you’re lifting weights twice a week, they may not be essential, but if you’re adhering to a more intense schedule akin to Shaun T’s INSANITY workout, which takes place six times/week, you’ll need something like this to keep you from getting ground down. So whether you’re on the go, under the gun or simply too tired to cook a meal, throw a bottle of recovery drink in your bag and keep it handy for when you’re done. Remember, look at the back of the recovery drink tub for the correct ratio of protein to carbs. For example, the P90X Recovery Drink has 10g of protein and 39g of of Carbs—a perfect mix for optimal recovery. |
