Muscle Building Explained (in an un-sciencey way)

If you've ever hit the gym or done any kind of physical activity, you've probably heard about the importance of protein in building muscle. But why is protein so essential for muscle building, and how does it actually work? In this post, I break down the science behind protein and muscle building, using some simple analogies to make it easy to understand.

First, let's talk about what happens to your muscles during exercise. When you work out, you're essentially breaking down muscle fibres through a process called muscle degradation. It's like taking apart a house brick by brick. Just as a demolition crew removes bricks from a building, your muscles are broken down into small pieces during exercise. This might sound like a bad thing, but it's actually essential for muscle growth.

you get the bricklaying octopus analogy right?

After your muscles have been broken down, they need to be repaired and rebuilt. This is where protein comes in – it's like the building material that's used to reconstruct the house after the demolition crew has finished their work. Without enough protein, your muscles won't be able to repair and rebuild themselves as effectively, which can limit your muscle growth.

But it's not just about getting enough protein – it's also important to get the right kind of protein. Your muscles need a variety of amino acids to repair and rebuild themselves, and different sources of protein provide different types and amounts of amino acids. For example, animal-based proteins like meat, eggs, and dairy are considered "complete" proteins because they contain all of the essential amino acids that your body needs. Plant-based proteins like beans, nuts, and grains are usually not "complete," meaning they don't contain all of the essential amino acids, but you can still get all of the amino acids you need by eating a variety of plant-based foods.

So, to sum it up: exercise breaks down your muscle fibres, and protein helps repair and rebuild them. It's like taking apart a house brick by brick and then using protein as the building material to reconstruct it. By making sure you're getting enough protein (and the right kind of protein) in your diet, you can maximise your muscle growth and see better results from your workouts.

In conclusion, protein is essential for muscle building because it helps repair and rebuild the muscle fibres that are broken down during exercise. Using analogies like the "house building" analogy and the "demolition crew" analogy can make this concept easier to understand and remember. By incorporating protein-rich foods into your diet and making sure you're getting enough of the right kind of protein, you can support your muscle growth and achieve your fitness goals.

So the next step is to find out how much protein you need each day. It is different for everyone as it really depends on your goals and your activity. It’s my jam - so if you want to know how much you should be getting in order to achieve your goals, we should chat.