Protein Intake: Build Muscle and Improve Your Fitness Workout | Orangetheory Fitness (2024)

Moving up to a new weight on the floor is always a great feeling. When you get stronger in the studio, you get stronger in your daily life too! All of a sudden you can move the furniture without waiting for someone to help. You can bring in another few bags of groceries in one trip. Clothes look and feel better. Doctors' visits end in high fives and congratulations. Increased muscle strength and power are beneficial in so many ways! Muscle building doesn’t end in the studio, though — what and when you eat and drink the rest of the day matters too.

Most likely, you've heard about the importance of protein for building lean mass. But did you know that protein is found in every part of your body, including your organs, tissues and even your hormones? Proteins are made from a set of 20 building blocks called amino acids. While your body can make several of these amino acids, nine are considered essential as they can only be obtained through your diet. When all the essential amino acids are present, this is called a “complete” protein.

These essential amino acids also happen to be key players in helping you build and repair muscle after your Orangetheory Fitness workouts. On top of that, it’s also one of the best ways to increase satiety or sense of fullness. It’s much easier to stick to your weight loss and nutrition goals when you aren’t hungry!

First off, how much protein do you need to build muscle?

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and American College of Sports Medicine recommend 0.55-0.9 grams of protein per pound of body weight for anyone doing endurance or resistance training to build and maintain lean body mass. For a 150-lb. person, that would be about 83-135 grams of protein per day.

Research indicates that you’ll improve muscle gains if you consistently spread your protein throughout the day in meals and snacks. The International Society of Sports Nutrition recommends 0.11 to 0.18 grams of protein per pound of body weight every three to four hours to best support muscle protein synthesis and improve body composition.

Using our previous example, someone who weighs 150 lbs would need roughly 17-27 grams of protein every three to four hours in their meals or snacks. Timing your intake of one of these meals or snacks within an hour or two of your workout will optimize the immediate anabolic response to exercise, giving your muscles fuel to repair, recover and get stronger! Research also indicates that the metabolic effects of exercise can last up to 24 hours, another reason why spreading your protein intake throughout the day in your meals and snacks is key to your success.

What kinds of protein are best?

Animal protein sources such as seafood, eggs, poultry, dairy and meat contain all the amino acids required for optimal muscle building. In addition, these protein sources are easier to process and are more readily absorbed compared with other proteins.

You can also get protein from plants such as beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, soy (tofu, tempeh, edamame, soy nuts and soy milk), whole grains and a variety of vegetables. Vegetarian protein sources are an important aspect of a balanced diet, and contain many micronutrients in addition to protein, as well as fiber. Most plant sources are “incomplete” proteins, meaning that some of the essential amino acids are not present. Eating mixed meals throughout the day will help to ensure that you consume all of the essential amino acids. Soy is the major exception to this, as it is a complete plant-based protein.

Now onto application! How can you fit your protein needs into your day?

Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, low-sugar jerky, tuna and egg whites are convenient snacks to have before or after an Orangetheory class. You can also have a high protein food meal, especially if your class time is just prior to breakfast, lunch or dinnertime.

For convenience, protein powder is another quick option (whether whey protein, egg protein or plant-based protein), which you can easily make into a shake or mix into oatmeal or yogurt. Whey protein powder is a popular post-exercise choice because it is quickly absorbed and used by the body. When choosing a plant-based protein, look for one that has pea protein isolate, soy protein isolate or mixed plant protein sources that provide at least 2 grams per serving of the branched chain amino acid leucine.

Choose a variety of protein sources in your day to have a well-balanced diet. For example:

  • Eggs and mushrooms at breakfast
  • A protein shake after your morning workout
  • Chicken and broccoli at lunch
  • Fish tacos with black beans for dinner

This will give your body the building blocks for muscle building and recovery. For more specific information about pre- and post-workout fueling, including timing and macronutrient breakdowns, check out this article from our Medical Advisory Board.

Take stock of your daily protein — do you have a high-quality sources of protein four times every three to four hours spanned throughout each day? If not, that’s OK! Rome wasn’t built in a day. Start one meal at a time, and especially focus on the meal or snack following your workout. After a week or two optimizing that meal, move onto the next one — and before you know it, you’ll be stronger and fitter than ever!

About the Author

Bonnie Campbell (Klauber), MS RD, is the owner and founder of The Nourished Path, an online nutrition coaching company. She helps women lose weight and keep it off through habit change, macronutrient tracking and mindfulness.

Protein Intake: Build Muscle and Improve Your Fitness Workout | Orangetheory Fitness (2024)

FAQs

Protein Intake: Build Muscle and Improve Your Fitness Workout | Orangetheory Fitness? ›

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and American College of Sports Medicine recommend 0.55-0.9 grams of protein per pound of body weight

body weight
Strictly speaking, body weight is the measurement of weight without items located on the person. Practically though, body weight may be measured with clothes on, but without shoes or heavy accessories such as mobile phones and wallets, and using manual or digital weighing scales.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Human_body_weight
for anyone doing endurance or resistance training to build and maintain lean body mass. For a 150-lb. person, that would be about 83-135 grams of protein per day.

How much protein do I need to build muscle while working out? ›

To increase muscle mass in combination with physical activity, it is recommended that a person that lifts weights regularly or is training for a running or cycling event eat a range of 1.2-1.7 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, or 0.5 to 0.8 grams per pound of body weight.

Why is it called the Orangetheory? ›

The “orange” in Orangetheory comes from the idea that users need to spend at least 12 minutes in the orange heart rate zone (which means their heart is beating at 84-91 per cent of its max capacity).

How much protein is in Orangetheory? ›

In addition to drinking a sufficient amount of water, Comana suggests a 150-calorie snack one to two hours before a workout. For women, he recommends 10 to 15 grams of carbs and 10 to 15 grams of protein; for men, 15 to 20 grams of carbs and 15 to 20 grams of protein.

How does your protein intake affect the impact of exercise on muscle growth? ›

Protein is extremely important in building muscle because the amino acids (the building blocks of protein) help repair and maintain muscle tissue. After a workout, protein helps you recover from workouts because muscles slightly tear during exercise.

Is 200g of protein a day enough to Build muscle? ›

Yes, 200g of protein per day can build muscle mass. Protein contains the amino acids needed to form new proteins. Therefore, athletes and bodybuilders need to get enough protein in their diets. According to a study, 200g of protein per day is enough for most adults who want to increase their lean body mass.

How much protein per day to gain muscle and lose fat? ›

If you're trying to build muscle, aim for 69-102 grams of protein per day. If you're trying to lose weight, shoot for 68-82 grams of protein per day. Matt says to split your daily protein intake between your three daily meals.

Do you really burn calories after Orangetheory? ›

This revs your metabolism and makes you burn calories long after your workout is over," Orangetheory says. However, it's worth noting that not all scientists are in agreement as to how long this "after burn" effect really lasts – some say it's more in the region of a few hours.

How many times should you do Orangetheory a week? ›

Dr. Masteller recommends attending 3-4 Orangetheory classes weekly, while also being physically active on your off days. But too much of a good thing ... isn't always a good thing. Sometimes you have to step back to move forward.

Is Orangetheory really backed by science? ›

Yes, we're a workout that's backed by science, but what does that really mean for you? It means RESULTS. Before creating the Orangetheory workout, Ellen Latham ran her own Pilates studio, but noticed her clients were still working with personal trainers. They wanted to burn fat, which Pilates alone couldn't do.

Do you really burn 500 calories at Orangetheory? ›

Burns a lot of calories

A single 60-minute Orangetheory class can burn an impressive 500–1,000 calories. During high intensity exercise, you exert a lot of energy. To do that, your body “burns” calories to support your activity.

How much protein should I eat for weight loss? ›

If you want to lose weight, aim for a daily protein intake between 1.6 and 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight (.73 and 1 grams per pound). Athletes and heavy exercisers should consume 2.2-3.4 grams of protein per kilogram (1-1.5 grams per pound) if aiming for weight loss.

Is it healthy to go to Orangetheory everyday? ›

Therefore, Sides suggests taking three to four Orangetheory classes every week for more long-lasting results. There can be too much of a good thing, and Dr. Owens warns that overexercising can create an undesired spike in your cortisol levels.

What happens if you lift weights but don't eat enough protein? ›

To make gains you have to have the right nutrients in your body to construct muscle. This means that what you eat, and how much, is essential in making muscle gains. Lifting and doing strength training without adequate nutrition, especially without enough protein, can actually lead to loss of muscle tissue.

Which protein is best for muscle gain? ›

Whey protein concentrate is an effective choice for muscle building, and since it is a bit higher in fat, it often tastes better when compared to whey protein isolate. If you prefer a more subtle note of vanilla, we found that this protein powder has a light vanilla taste, rather than an overpowering, cake-like one.

Is 100 grams of protein enough to build muscle? ›

The exact amount that's right for you will depend on your goals, genetics, and the rest of your diet, but aiming to hit between those targets should be sufficient for most people. For example, a relatively fit 180lb man should aim to consume between 108g and 198g of protein daily for muscle gain.

How do I calculate how much protein I need? ›

The average adult needs a minimum of 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day.2 One kilogram equals 2.2 pounds, so a person who weighs 165 pounds, or 75 kg, would need about 60 grams of protein per day. However, your protein needs may increase if you are very active.

How much protein for a 200 lb man to build muscle? ›

Here's an example: A 200-pound man would divide his weight by 2.2, which is 90.9 kilograms. Multiply 90.9 by 1.6 grams of protein to arrive at 145 grams of protein per day. This means that for a 200-pound man, anything less than 145 grams of protein per day is leaving muscle gains on the table.

How to get 150 grams of protein a day? ›

Incorporating Protein into Your Meals

Animal-derived proteins: 3 oz canned tuna (20 g of protein), 3 oz cooked salmon (19g), 3 oz skirt steak (25 g), 3 oz cooked chicken breast (27 g), 4 slices of deli meat (8 g), 156 g plain Greek yogurt (16 g), 220 g cottage cheese (24 g), 245g 2% milk (8 g), or 1 whole egg (6g).

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