Protein shakes/general supplements

[Greeny1210]

which supplements would you recommend for a beginner cycler, not done any exercise since leaving the gym 4/5 years ago and used to have a quick protein shake after each session back then but seems to be loads more options now and its a bit confusing
Looking to lose weight and generally tone up as well as just improve health, will be doing light weights/press ups at home on days I don't cycle nothing serious, just to keep chunky without the added chub

 

[derrick]

I use these with soya milk,
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/for-goodness-shakes-procovery-powder-sachets-12-x-72g/

 

[Steve H]

Depends how long / hard your cycling sessions are.

If you are putting in leisure miles or longer, steadier miles I wouldn't drink protein shakes after a ride if you are trying to lose weight. Just a large glass of semi skimmed milk is good. If you are doing more intense sessions where you are really challenging your muscles then protein shakes can help recovery.

 

[Pikey]

This puzzled me too Greeny when I swapped to cycling from being a gym head, seems to be an ingrained habit to chug the protein post exercise.

Prob won't do any harm to have the odd shake, but as you prob know, the body will metabolise excess protein as an energy source, so if you want to lose weight, too many will be bad.

Like when you are at the gym, link the protein intake to the intensity of the session, I suppose cycling is more like a high rep low resistance toning set rather than a low rep big weight mass and ego building session so adjust your intake accordingly. Unless you are gonna do lots of climbing work when it will become like the latter session.

Tbh, when I left the gym and swapped to cycling (after a non too attractive gym goer errantly rubbed their sweaty ass on me whilst I was on the rower) I did keep on with the protein, but I asked my old pt what suppliments to take and he just said food and water.

So now I spend the protein money on bike " upgrades" like a tart...

 

[cyberknight]

With a good diet you should not really need to take supplements, a glass of milk post ride is as much of a recovery drink as you will need.

 

[Eribiste]

With a good diet you should not really need to take supplements, a glass of milk post ride is as much of a recovery drink as you will need.

Can I swap the milk for a pint of finest English ale for my post ride elixir please?

 

[Peteaud]

With a good diet you should not really need to take supplements, a glass of milk post ride is as much of a recovery drink as you will need.

And you cant beat a nice cool glass of the white stuff.

 

[cyberknight]

Can I swap the milk for a pint of finest English ale for my post ride elixir please?

Apparantly, on a runners forum (shhh !) i found a bit of a post that says beer is good for DOMs as it contains..
"
Polyphenols are an antioxidant chemical found in many plants and fruits. “Polyphenols have antiviral properties, they help regulate the immune system, and they help to down-regulate genes that are related to turning on inflammation and stress,” Nieman explains. “And beer has a lot of polyphenols.”
There’s a growing body of research that shows polyphenols can act as a more-effective substitute for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, which Nieman says is many marathoner’s post-race “drug of choice.”
i remember somewhere reading Guinness was supposed to be good .

 

[The Brewer]

Can I swap the milk for a pint of finest English ale for my post ride elixir please?

Tends to be my during and post ride thirst quencher

 

[The Brewer]

Apparantly, on a runners forum (shhh !) i found a bit of a post that says beer is good for DOMs as it contains..
"
Polyphenols are an antioxidant chemical found in many plants and fruits. “Polyphenols have antiviral properties, they help regulate the immune system, and they help to down-regulate genes that are related to turning on inflammation and stress,” Nieman explains. “And beer has a lot of polyphenols.”
There’s a growing body of research that shows polyphenols can act as a more-effective substitute for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, which Nieman says is many marathoner’s post-race “drug of choice.”
i remember somewhere reading Guinness was supposed to be good .

Interesting, I tend to never get coughs and colds others seem to get easily. I drink mostly real ales that haven't been pasteurized.

Guinness of old was a good drink, but don't be fooled by the dark colour of this modern pish. Its only dark as the grains are roasted

 

[yello]

Looking to lose weight

Following on from other's comments about a good diet providing all that you need (and I agree), given that weight loss is an aim then you probably don't want to be adding to your calorie intake with supplements of any kind.

 

[Rob3rt]

which supplements would you recommend for a beginner cycler, not done any exercise since leaving the gym 4/5 years ago and used to have a quick protein shake after each session back then but seems to be loads more options now and its a bit confusing
Looking to lose weight and generally tone up as well as just improve health, will be doing light weights/press ups at home on days I don't cycle nothing serious, just to keep chunky without the added chub

NONE.

 

[musa]

NONE.

+1

Water milk smoothies.

 

[hoski]

Looking to lose weight and generally tone up as well as just improve health, will be doing light weights/press ups at home on days I don't cycle nothing serious, just to keep chunky without the added chub

Like others have said, based on what you're aiming to do I really wouldn't bother with protein shakes or any of that. I don't, and judging by my ever increasing thigh muscles I'm definitely not lacking protein in my diet.

I think the whole extra protein thing comes from trying to bulk up and sculpting the 'perfect' body. If the aim is to keep weight down and maintain a good level of fitness it's probably best to make sure you have a reasonably balanced/healthy diet.

 

[Cycleops]

You can file protein drinks under the heading ' things I didn't know I needed 'till I read the marketing blurb'.