Replenish Glycogen to Maximize Fitness Gains, Expedite Workout Recovery

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Replenish Glycogen to Maximize Fitness Gains, Expedite Workout Recovery

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Did you know that it's not your workout that makes you stronger? Although aerobic exercise and strength training are essential, your strength and fitness gains are actually made during your recovery from a workout, not the workout itself.

You can maximize your fitness and strength gains from every workout by making sure your body actually recovers from the stress and challenges of your training. To do this, it is important to understand the nature of your muscles. Your muscles are packed with an energy source called glycogen. Glycogen is a form of sugar that your body uses as a fuel during exercise. While you exercise, your glycogen stores decrease but they can be replenished during your recovery from exercise. When you finish exercising and consume a meal containing carbohydrates, sugars pass through the blood stream, and eventually enter your muscle cells where they are converted to glycogen. Soon you can use this glycogen as the fuel for your next workout. The replenishment of your muscle glycogen is maximized in a short window of opportunity within one hour of your workout, so it is important to consume a meal or snack containing carbohydrates as soon as you leave the gym.

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