Best Protein Powder For Bodybuilding Gains & Recovery 2021

You can’t maintain or build muscle mass without sufficient protein intake.

Think of a group of bros standing around the gym. What are they drinking? Most probably, protein shakes. In fact, protein powder is probably the first supplement people associate with bodybuilding/weightlifting. And for good reason. Protein serves as the building blocks for muscle growth and good protein powders will contain high quality ingredients with a good balance of fat and carbs to help you lose weight and build muscle.

Here’s what happens when you don’t consume enough protein while working out in the gym:

• Your body can go catabolic – with a lack of protein, your body can begin using your muscles as an energy source.
• You’ll find it hard to maintain or gain muscle mass – countless studies have shown that adequate protein intake is required for bodybuilding.

No-one wants to train their *ss off in the gym to see no results especially when it comes to fat loss. Or see any losses in muscle mass. As a result, protein powder is pretty damn important to bodybuilders (and anyone who trains in the gym aiming to maintain or gain muscle mass). We’ve safely established that. Knowing what to take and when to take it is more than important when looking to achieve all of your bodybuilding goals from the best whey protein and a quality whey protein.

So, what’s the issue?

Well, there are now many different types of protein powders available on the market – soy protein, whey protein, pea protein, brown-rice protein to name just a few. But which is best whey protein for you?

In this article, we’ll tell you which protein powder supplement we recommend as the best whey protein. Followed by the reasons why we’ve chosen a specific product.

Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate: Our #1 Recommended Protein Powder

Key Benefits

• 100% grass fed whey for optimal health and performance benefits
• Superior muscle boosting support and enhanced recovery
• Sourced directly from American cows and produced by a reputable company

Key Features

• 28g of protein- more than enough to help you reach your target daily protein intake
• Only 120 calories conducive to any diet and great for cutting or bulking
• Classic and fun flavors so you never grow bored with the taste

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Check out where Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate fell on our list of the Best Protein Powders!

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Quick Summary

At 120 calories per one 32-gram scoop, it is packed with 28 grams of protein and one carbohydrate ensuring you stay full while recovering and keeping those gains going. Sourcing directly from American cows, their whey only comes from 100% grass-fed diets for this product, keeping your body free from steroids and hormones. Your classic flavors like French Vanilla and Chocolate Peanut Butter are mixed with fun additions like Cinnamon Pastry, Cereal Splash, and Salted Caramel, making this product almost too good to be true.

Designed to supplement a healthy diet post-workout, this product is great for gym-goers seeking to bulk up, athletes seeking to pack on lean muscle, or anyone looking to shed a little weight. You will notice that this product will increase lean body mass, strength, and muscle size, while also aiding in recovery. With just four simple ingredients, Transparent Labs has produced a whey protein isolate that will help you and you are sure to love.

Try Transparent Labs ProteinSeries 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate Here

Why Protein Is Essential To A Bodybuilding Diet

In a nutshell, amino acids are used by your body to repair (and build) new muscle fibers and are essential in a high quality whey concentrate, whey isolate, or a vegan whey protein (1).

So, it doesn’t take Arnold Schwarzenegger to tell you how important protein is, for you to believe it. (Although, Schwarzenegger.com has stated: “If you’re not paying attention to protein, you’re doing it all wrong.”)

Ultimately, you need to consume a certain amount of protein in order to build the muscular, bodybuilder physique you’ve always wanted.

How Much Protein Do I Need To Consume?

There have been tons of different arguments around this question. And there are also different answers in clinical studies.

Scientific American believe that 0.45g of protein per lbs. bodyweight is enough. They also mentioned that studies found consuming over 1.2g protein per lbs. bodyweight provided no improvements in muscle-building.

For this reason, while you do need ‘enough’, you also don’t need to go overboard with your protein intake as 1.0-1.6 g protein per pound of bodyweight is commonly accepted as optimal (2).

Difference Between Whey Protein & Non-Dairy Sources

When it comes to choosing whey over non-dairy sources, whey protein is a fantastic source to meet your daily intake, as well as boost muscle growth and recovery. Non-dairy sources like brown rice protein, pea protein, and a host of others are good options for those sensitive to dairy or following a certain diet, like veganism for example, but for those looking to really boost their gains, a clean and effective whey protein is certainly a great option for you.

Reasons To Choose Whey Protein Over Other Sources

Taking whey protein powder, either as whey protein concentrate, isolate, or other types of protein, can have a number of powerful effects on the body. Whey protein powder is highly accessible, affordable and is a useful tool for promoting a high-protein diet.

Protein synthesis is a huge benefit to whey protein as this will repair those torn muscle fibers so they grow back bigger and stronger (3). With the help of a complete amino acids profile, muscle protein synthesis can occur no problem and with 28g of protein in this supplement from Transparent Labs, that is more than enough to help you reach your intended goals.

This will go hand in hand with recovery for the faster those muscles are repaired and replenished, the faster bounce back you have to take on other workouts without feeling sluggish or worn down (4). Stretching, foam rolling, and yoga are great ways to recover, but pumping yourself with vital protein cannot be beat.

Protein will also aid in weight loss as a great way to keep you full for longer so you don’t snack or take in unwanted calories (5). Either cutting or bulking, a good protein powder can curb hunger or continually pump you with healthy calories so you see that increase in strength and size you want most.

Conclusion: Best Protein Powder For Bodybuilding

At the end of the day, there are so many protein powders out there to choose from and the decision can be nothing short of daunting. Thankfully, some stand out amongst the rest and for bodybuilders looking to get the most bang for their buck, a top tier protein is now at your fingertips. High-quality whey matched by incredible benefits gives you nothing but the best chance at seeing that desired growth you want most.

Our #1 choice of Protein Powder is Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate.

Check this protein powder out and see what it can do for you. A reputable company backing it only lends to the fact that this is clean and beneficial for all your muscle building and recovery needs.

Try Transparent Labs ProteinSeries 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate Here

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*Images courtesy of Transparent Labs and Envato

References

1. VanDusseldorp, T.; Escobar, K.; Johnson, K.; Stratton, M.; et al. (2018). “Effect of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation on Recovery Following Acute Eccentric Exercise”. (source)
2. Wu, G. (2016). “Dietary protein intake and human health”. (source)
3. Pasiakos, S.; McLellan, T.; Lieberman, H. (2015). “The effects of protein supplements on muscle mass, strength, and aerobic and anaerobic power in healthy adults: a systematic review”. (source)
4. Pasiakos, S.; Lieberman, H.; McLellan, T. (2014). “Effects of protein supplements on muscle damage, soreness and recovery of muscle function and physical performance: a systematic review”. (source)
5. Leidy, H.; Clifton, P.; Astrup, A.; Wycherley, T.; et al. (2015). “The role of protein in weight loss and maintenance”. (source)