I've been a fitness writer for the last five years. During that time, I've interviewed a lot of experts (and I mean a lot). Whether it's Hollywood stars, professional athletes, trainers or nutritionists, I've grilled them about exercise, their daily habits, mental health and – the salient point here – what goes into their diet and nutrition plans.
If they're trying to build muscle, they're using some of the best supplements on the market to achieve those goals, and you can get these supplements as part of the Cyber Monday protein deals. It's not all about protein, although that is certainly a big part of their routines. Actors, athletes and the like often simply can't get enough protein through whole foods – especially with busy schedules preventing them eating five meals a day.
Protein shakes become the best way to keep up your protein intake on the go, whether you're drinking them as soon as you get up, straight after the gym, or between meals as a snack. The theory of the "anabolic window", or having to consume protein immediately after a workout, is outdated advice now. However, protein powders are still an incredibly efficient way to make sure you're getting your gains in on the go. My favorite whey powder, the Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard blend, is on sale now at Muscle & Strength, is top of our best protein powder for weight loss guide and on sale here:
It's important to know there are actually different kinds of protein powder: there's vegan sources, such as pea protein, and more concentrated low-calorie alternatives such as whey isolate. There is also casein protein, which is one I personally use at night instead of whey powder because casein is a "slow-release" source of protein.
Whey powder dumps all its goods into your body very quickly, whereas casein feeds your muscles slower over time, according to science. This means it's ideal for a nighttime shake, as it feeds your muscles slowly while you sleep. Check out MyProtein's Slow Release Casein protein powder below:
Finally, you need to think about more than protein. Branch-chain amino acids, a group of three acids called leucine, isoleucine and valine, cannot be made by your body, which means they need to come from food. They're essential in the muscle-building process, and if we're increasing our intake of protein, we should also be upping our BCAAs for optimum protein synthesis.
Below, you can find a good Muscle & Strength deal on MusclePharm Essentials BCAAs.
Cyber Monday deals: US retailer quick links
- Amazon Cyber Monday deals
- Best Buy Cyber Monday sale
- Walmart Cyber Monday deals
- Target Cyber Monday sale
- Dick's Sporting Goods Cyber Monday deals
- Lululemon Cyber Monday sale
- Nike Cyber Monday deals
- New Balance Cyber Monday sale
- Under Armour Cyber Monday deals
- ASICS Cyber Monday sale
- Wiggle Cyber Monday deals
- Adidas Cyber Monday deals
- A1 Supplements Cyber Monday sale
-
Tight hips? A personal trainer reveals her four favorite moves for reducing tension in under five minutesMobility Reverse the damage of too much sitting with this short mobility stretch
-
If you have sore wrists from typing all day, these five stretches are for youworkout Five movements to stretch and strengthen wrists, from an expert trainer
