Ever heard of the anabolic window? It’s the idea that there’s a specific period of time after your workout when your body is primed for muscle growth. But hold on tight, because we’re about to shatter that myth! Picture this: you go to a buffet and load up on all the delicious food right before closing time, thinking you’ll maximize your gains. Well, it turns out that your body doesn’t have a closing time for muscle growth! The anabolic window concept suggests that you need to consume protein immediately post-workout to optimize muscle synthesis, but research tells us that muscle protein synthesis is elevated for up to 24 hours after exercise. So, whether you chow down on chicken right after the gym or wait a couple of hours, your muscles will still grow. So what should you do? Focus on overall daily protein intake rather than timing it precisely around your workouts. Check out the research behind these findings and satisfy your curiosity!
