Here’s How Collagen Can Supercharge Your Workout
We hear about how sippin’ collagen can do wonders for your skin, but what about your fitness? Turns out, throwing a scoop into that morning smoothie can actually add to your gym game
Whether you’re an athlete, gym-goer, or yogi, collagen is the perfect recovery protein that helps to build and repair the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage that are stressed during exercise. Collagen is the crucial element for structural support in our body; it comprises 90% of our connective tissue – this includes our joints, ligaments, tendons, and fascia. Collagen protein supplementation is the key to maintaining an active lifestyle.
WHY COLLAGEN FOR FITNESS?
While exercising, our body goes through continuous wear and tear. Recovery time post-workout then becomes important to make sure we can get back to exercising as fast as possible to maintain our fitness regime. Consuming Collagen protein is considered to tremendously help our exerted joints, muscles, and tissues to heal and recover faster. Here are a couple of points highlighting the importance of Collagen while working out!
Collagen Protein may speed up injury recovery time – Collagen synthesis is key in regenerating muscle fibers and scar tissue. As you age, collagen production slows, and your body doesn’t have enough to keep up with all that is worn down. Taking collagen supplements aids the body in that collagen production and allows regeneration to happen faster. If you’re working out consistently, you’ll need all the recovery help that you can get.
Collagen may support joint health and help reduce joint pain and deterioration- Studies have shown supplementation with collagen may reduce exertion and exercise-related joint pain. High-impact activities and high-intensity sports exert stress on joints that can lead to pain and injury. In a study among subjects who experienced activity-related joint pain, supplementation with collagen protein for 120 days resulted in improved joint function and flexibility while exercising, and subjects were able to exercise longer before experiencing joint pain.
Collagen improves muscle mass- As an essential protein that’s found in skeletal muscle, collagen contributes to the maintenance and growth of muscle mass.
Collagen Protein May Speed up Injury Recovery Time – Following a workout, protein is broken down within the muscles. This is then followed by a period of protein synthesis which is important for enhancing muscle growth. This effect is supported by the ingestion of protein, meaning increased collagen intake following exercise may increase and support muscle growth. This can also improve the repair and recovery of your muscles, leading to less soreness the next day
The answer to this may depend on your individual goals, but what is more important is taking it regularly.
If you suffer from joint discomfort or stiffness, taking collagen pre-workout may be a better choice. One study showed that supplementing with collagen peptides containing vitamin C one hour before working out improves collagen synthesis in the body. Doing this may increase joint strength and resilience.
If your primary goal is to gain muscle, taking collagen post-workout may be better, as it can have an anabolic — or muscle-building — effect. To conclude, whether you’re starting your bodybuilding journey looking for an additional protein source to up your amino acid intake, or if you’re already an experienced gym-goer with the desire to increase your performance, including collagen supplement as a staple in your diet will contribute to bettering your health and performance on the long haul. More than taking collagen before or after your workout, the quality of your collagen supplement matters – and INJA Wellness make it simple to find high-quality collagen peptides to elevate your wellness routine. It has high levels of essential amino acids, such as glycine and proline amongst others which are great for your joint health, muscle retention, and recovery process.