04/02/2022
Have you thought about your nutrition for 'strength training?
Many factors can significantly impact the success of any strength-training goal. In fact, without an adequate meal plan containing enough calories to support a strength-training program, clients may actually be faced with loss of muscle mass and bone density, increased fatigue, injury, illness, nutrient deficiencies and a longer recovery process.
The best nutrition program, overall, to support a strength-training program includes the following:
Carbohydrates: 6 to 10 grams per kilogram of body weight. Carbohydrates maintain blood glucose levels during exercise and replace muscle glycogen. Personal carbohydrate requirements vary based upon the intensity and length of workouts as well as body size, s*x and even environmental conditions.
Protein: 4 to 2.0 grams per kilogram of body weight. These recommended protein intakes can generally be met through diet alone, without the use of protein or amino acid supplements.
Fat: 20 to 35 percent of total energy intake. It can often be tempting to drop below this level in the quest for improved results; however, consuming less than 20 percent of energy from fat does not benefit performance. It’s important to stress to clients the importance of total nutrition for optimal results.
Hydration: Adequate fluid intake before, during and after exercise is important for health and optimal performance. Dehydration actually decreases exercise performance. In the hours after exercise, clients should aim for approximately 16 to 24 ounces of fluid for every 0.5 kg of body weight lost during exercise to replenish fluids.
As with other training programs, fueling up in the hours prior to strength training is essential to an effective session. The goal of this small meal is to boost energy for the training itself as well as to prime the body for faster recovery after the workout.