Intra Workout: What Is It and Is It Important?
What you consume before and after your workout is important, but what you consume DURING your workout is just as crucial. This is especially true if you are working out for extended periods of time, such as during a marathon or long-distance race. After all, you need to keep your energy levels up and avoid hitting the dreaded “wall.”
But what exactly is intra-workout nutrition, and is it important?
In this article, we'll take a look at intra-workout supplementation, what it is, and why it's so important for your overall fitness and performance.
What Is Intra Workout Supplementation?
Intra-workout supplementation is the process of taking supplements during your workout. This can be anything from protein shakes to BCAA's (branched-chain amino acids) to creatine. The purpose of intra-workout supplementation is to provide your body with the nutrients it needs to perform at its best.
Protein is probably the most important nutrient for intra-workout supplementation. It helps repair muscle damage that occurs during exercise, and it also helps promote muscle growth. Protein shakes are a common form of intra-workout protein, but you can also get protein from food sources like meat, eggs, and dairy products.
BCAA's are another important nutrient for intra-workout supplementation. They help reduce muscle fatigue and promote muscle growth. They can be taken in supplement form, or you get them from food sources like meat, eggs, and dairy products.
Creatine is another nutrient that can be beneficial for intra-workout supplementation. It helps increase energy levels and delay fatigue. It can be taken in supplement form, or you can get it from food sources like meat and fish.
Why Is Intra Workout Supplementation Important?
There are a few reasons why intra-workout supplementation is so important:
-
It Boosts Exercise Performance
Intra-workout supplementation can help boost your exercise performance by providing your body with the nutrients it needs to perform at its best. Protein helps repair muscle damage that occurs during exercise and promotes muscle growth. BCAAs help to reduce muscle fatigue and promote muscle growth. Creatine helps increase energy levels and delay fatigue. All these nutrients can help you push yourself harder during your workouts and achieve better results.
-
It Prevents Muscle Breakdown
Exercise can cause muscle breakdown, but intra-workout supplementation can help prevent this from happening. Protein, BCAA's, and creatine all help to protect muscle tissue from being broken down during exercise. This can help you maintain your muscle mass and improve your overall fitness level.
-
It Increases Energy Levels
Having high energy levels is important for a successful workout. Intra-workout supplementation can help to increase your energy levels and delay fatigue. The fast-acting carbohydrates in intra workout drinks can help to give you a quick boost of energy when you need it most. This is because they are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and used by the muscles for energy.
Final Thoughts
If you're looking for an edge in your workouts, intra-workout supplementation may be just what you need. It can help to boost your exercise performance, prevent muscle breakdown, and increase your energy levels. So if you're not already using intra-workout supplements, it's definitely something to consider adding to your fitness routine.