Best protein powders for muscle gain?

Quote: bad dream

darkstag4 said:Since we're already talking about Vitamin C...

How much Vitamin C is actually enough for someone hitting the gym hard? I’m thinking somewhere in the 1.5 to 2 gram range—does that sound right? Also, what’s the best way to dose it? Should I spread those doses out across the entire day, or is there a better strategy? Like, should I take some in the morning to manage cortisol, some around my workout, and maybe a bit before bed?

Honestly, I was having such a hard time getting out of bed lately. I’d be dragging myself up every morning because I just couldn't get enough sleep—even ten hours felt like nothing. But then I started taking some Vitamin C in the evening, and man, by 7 or 8 the next morning, I’m feeling like a tiger. 😁

This is how I do it:
Wake up, grab some coffee, take 500 mg of Vitamin C, and hit the cardio.
I take my P+M supplement (300 mg Vitamin C and 10 mg Zinc) with a specific strategy in mind. Since zinc absorption takes a hit when you pair it with high-fiber foods, I make sure to skip carbs first thing in the morning. Also, since I don't eat any carbs to help bring my cortisol levels down after cardio, I toss in some extra Vitamin C to compensate.

Pre-workout routine: 500 mg of Vitamin C and a coffee.
After a workout, you just need some protein and carbs. Adding those carbs helps bring your cortisol levels back down, so you really don't need to stress about that part.

Taking 600 mg of Vitamin C and 10 mg of Zinc right before hitting the sack.

I haven't noticed any issues at all. I’m waking up easily in the morning, crushing my cardio sessions without feeling wiped out, and overall, I just feel healthy and great.

shadowhound8 said:Are we talking about inflammation or cramps? Does it hurt while you're resting or when you're actually active?

As for protein, I don't think that's playing a role here.
A deficiency might cause muscle breakdown, but you wouldn't really feel that specific sensation.

It hurts while I'm resting—specifically when I'm sitting or lying down. I've been wondering if it's just from sitting too much, since I tend to spend entire days slumped in an uncomfortable chair.
The pain is strictly in my legs. My arms, stomach, and back feel fine.
I have been hitting my leg workouts a bit harder lately, so maybe I overdid it... though I'm not sure that makes sense, because if it were just muscle soreness, it would feel like typical DOMS, and this doesn't feel like that at all.

EDIT: I'm starting to suspect it might even be coming from my spine...

Is drinking one glass of Donat enough to get sufficient magnesium?
Regarding protein, I just try to eat foods I know are good sources, so some days I hit my targets and some days I don't. I guess that's alright?

Donna Martin76 said:It's just my legs that are killing me. My arms, stomach, back—nothing else really hurts.

Does it hurt when your legs stretch out, like that deep ache you get in your bones?

Jonathan Miller7 said:Does it hurt like when your legs are stretching, you know, like that deep bone pain?

I suppose it's something like that....

I know the feeling—that same nagging pain hits me even on days when I don't even touch leg day. Honestly, it could be anything. We're talking everything from knee issues or back problems to flat feet or just some tight tendons in your legs.

Edit:

So, I was sitting here thinking about it, and I think I figured out why it’s happening to me. When you're pushing through any heavy set, your entire body tenses up, including your legs. I feel it most during dips; I end up bracing my legs so hard, almost like I'm "clenching at thin air." I'm putting all this tension into them, but not in a way where I'm actually lifting weight with them. After those kinds of sessions, whenever I try to use my legs normally, they ache—it feels like my very bones are being stretched.

Hey everyone!
Anyone here selling pure protein powder at decent prices? I’m tired of paying those ridiculous markup prices you see at places like Walmart—it's honestly getting way too expensive. If you've got some good stuff at a fair price, hit me up here or shoot me a DM...
Cheers!

Head over to the fitness forum and hit up mops...

boldwalker9 said:I usually just grab some fresh mackerel from the local fish market by the Atlantic...
The meat is incredibly juicy and flavorful when it's fresh. For me, canned tuna is basically garbage...
Sometimes I get sea bream; those are farmed, but at least they come from the Atlantic, which is relatively clean compared to what you find with tuna sourced from Thailand...

Bottom line is, I get way more actual protein and fresh fish from a single mackerel than I ever would from your cans.
I've tried them all, and honestly, none of them are any good.
As for the Eva brand, I'm not entirely sure, but I think it’s not even local—probably Spanish. It used to be decent, with light fillets that were maybe a bit too salty, but the real issue is the inconsistency. Sometimes you get the good light meat, and other times they hand you this disgusting, dark red, smelly stuff near the head...
The Rio mar stuff is overpriced, and there's so little in the can it wouldn't even feed a kid. It feels like it's all just scraps...
Then there's the tune Maršić, which is expensive as hell. You'd think there was gold in those cans...
The cheap generic tuna is loaded with heavy metals from Thailand, or if you're lucky, maybe something from Spain...

uglavnom fuck tuna.

Most of the tuna you see in our local grocery stores comes from places like Vietnam. They taste terrible and are full of mercury. The Eva and (I think) Rio mar brands come from Spain, which is okay. But Rio mar is way too pricey for nothing special...

Still, there is some tuna from the Atlantic, produced by Postire Brac. That stuff is almost top-tier, and it's pretty solid. Let's support American products! 😁

Paul Vaughn71 said:Then again, you can actually find some decent tuna from the Adriatic, produced by Postire Brac. It's pretty much top-tier, or at least solid enough. Let's stick to buying American! 😁

Which Walmart carries that?

Jonathan Miller7 said:Which store actually carries that?

I spotted it at Walmart and some local shops, but I'm pretty sure you can find it in most grocery stores too...

Jonathan Miller7 said:I get that kind of pain too, even on days I don't hit legs at all. I guess it could be anything—knees, lower back, flat feet, or maybe just tight tendons.

Edit:

I've been thinking about it, and I think I figured out why it hurts. Whenever I'm doing any heavy lifting, my whole body tenses up, including my legs. I really feel it during dips; I end up bracing my legs mid-air, almost like I'm straining them against nothing. After those kinds of sessions, whenever I move, my legs ache—it almost feels like my bones are being stretched.

Should I actually be worried about this pain?

Quote: bad dream

Paul Vaughn71 said:I saw her at Walmart and Kerum, though I’m pretty sure you can find her in just about any other grocery store around here too.

Thanks! 🙂It hasn't really caught my eye yet, so I'm going to do a little digging today and see what's what.

Quote: bad dream

Donna Martin76 said:So, should I actually be worried about this pain, or am I just overthinking things again?

Look, if this thing is actually bothering you, just go see a doctor. Seriously. You aren't going to get a legit diagnosis from some random people on an internet forum, no matter how much we talk. Personally, I’m not losing any sleep over my own aches and pains. My take? It'll probably just settle down on its own after a while. If things start getting worse, then yeah, maybe start worrying—otherwise, don't sweat it too much.

Paul Vaughn71 said:I spotted her at Walmart and Kerum, though you could probably find her in other shops too.

she's at Kroger too

So, I finally gave this stuff a shot for dinner tonight. Honestly? The flavor is pretty decent—definitely gives me those Rio mar vibes—but man, the price tag is a total gut punch. It's way too pricey.

Has anyone actually tried using Bio Tech proteins before?

People on the internet seem to be saying they aren't all that great, though if you ask me, it feels like everything is just becoming more or less the same thing anyway...

Exactly. People are saying they aren't even all that great. I wouldn't be surprised if they're packed with soy, honestly.

Anyone have the lowdown on Hansa X Sport Whey? I’ve been rocking Weider 80 Plus 500g $45 up until now, but I just switched over to this 1kg tub of Hansa X Sport $60.

Can anyone recommend some decent, budget-friendly protein powders? Ideally something I can just order online and have delivered straight to my door...

Check out MVP Nutrition. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to drop links here, but honestly, you might even snag a little gift if you decide to order from them 😁