The cult classic cartoon, Popeye features a sailor who is an ordinary, average Joe but has a secret and powerful weapon at his disposal: as soon as he eats a handy can of spinach his strength increases tenfold and so he is ready to take on whatever the world throws at him.
Sadly, life is nothing like the cartoons or the movies and whilst this may seem like a rather odd comment to make in the context of muscle building it is one that has to be addressed.
The reason for this is quite simple: there is a significant number of muscle building enthusiasts who seem to think that by downing a protein shake, they too will develop and expand like Popeye.
Whilst a protein shake can provide a good boost to your progress and helps to facilitate the muscle building process, there is not a shake in the world that is capable of making you expand muscle mass by itself.
Therefore you need to actually use the protein shake with a streamlined and concerted exercise regime.
Given how expensive some of these protein shakes are and can be it is hardly surprising then that many muscle building novices are skeptical as to whether they are worth buying.
The simple truth is yes, they are, however it is essential that you pick the right one and just as important, that you consume it at the right time.
As soon as we consume anything our body will begin the digestion process, therefore it is imperative that we drink a shake immediately after finishing our muscle building workout.
By ingesting an intense amount of protein straight after a workout you are supplying your body with essential nutrients to start the recovery process.
Make sure that you choose and consume a protein shake which as a high protein as well as a high carbohydrate content.
Whilst the protein content will allow the muscle development process to begin, the carbohydrate content will act as the energy supply to allow the entire process to actually take place in the first place.
It is also a good idea to consume a protein shake just before you go to sleep: whenever we sleep this is the time when our body is diligently working away to make sure that the muscle tissue is firmly developed and healed.
Whether you buy a protein shake or make it yourself, rest assured, it is well worth the effort.