ARM YOURSELF

By: Jennifer Lee

Max ARM is an exciting and innovative recovery supplement to add to your arsenal!

When it comes to making strength gains, nothing is more important than how your body recovers from exercise. Without proper recovery, even the very best workouts will ultimately not yield the results you deserve.

Max ARM was designed to provide rapid recovery after workouts. Tough workouts break down muscle, deplete amino acids, create metabolic waste and can leave us more susceptible to illness. The science of recovery shows that there are three critical requirements for optimal muscle recovery and repair following an intense workout. First, is the replacement of fluids, electrolytes and vitamins. Second, is the rapid replenishment of muscle glycogen. And, third is the replacement of amino acids to support the muscle rebuilding process and minimize muscle protein breakdown. The 45 minutes following a workout is our “anabolic window” of opportunity. Taking advantage of this opportunity by consuming ARM after your workout will get you the fitness gains you’re looking for and deserve. The key benefits of using ARM include the following:

Vitamin, electrolyte, fluid replacement
ARM contains many water-soluble vitamins lost during exercise and provides vitamin cofactors, antioxidants and major and trace minerals needed to support muscle recovery. Because ARM is mixed with water, it also replaces fluid lost during exercise and promotes proper hydration.

Glycogen replenishment
Glycogen is the stored form of glucose found in the muscles and liver to be used as energy. During exercise, muscle glycogen can become significantly depleted. ARM contains multi-source, high-glycemic carbohydrates and a blend of fast-digesting whey isolate and whey concentrate protein to support the release of insulin and speed glycogen resynthesis.

Amino acid uptake and protein synthesis
Branched-chain amino acids and glutamine must be transported to the cells for protein synthesis to occur. ARM contains the amino acids your body needs to rebuild your muscles after you’ve stressed them during your workout. Numerous studies show that when protein, amino acids, and carbohydrate are consumed together within 45 minutes post workout, protein synthesis is accelerated when compared to taking only carbohydrates or protein alone.

Removal of metabolic waste/delivery of nutrients
Increased blood flow after exercise is important for removing lactic acid and delivering important nutrients to the cells. Although blood flow is generally high immediately after exercise, within a short period of time blood flow will begin to slow. However, using ARM will keep blood flow high for a longer period of time (due to insulin release and L-arginine), making sure metabolic wastes are removed and important nutrients are delivered.

Liquid recovery versus food
At Max Muscle we always advocate the importance of a diet that includes plenty of whole foods. However, after a tough workout, many people want to eat a large meal. Other reasons why ARM is better than solid food post workout:

1. Solid food can take more than two hours before it starts to impact your muscles post workout.

2. ARM takes advantage of the 45 minute “anabolic window” post workout.

3. ARM is designed with fast-digesting whey protein, high-glycemic carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and cofactors and when consumed immediately post workout can begin to impact your muscles within 30 minutes.

4. ARM is more convenient and can be consumed within minutes post workout.

5. Most solid meals are not “scientifically designed” to meet the body’s exact needs post workout.

WEIGHT LOSS AND ARM
Those who consume the right type of calories pre, during and post workout have lower body fat percentages than those who don’t. Fat oxidation is also increased during recovery when your body gets the nutrients it needs to recover properly. Many people have a misconception when trying to lose weight that restricting calories will cause their body to burn fat and in fact the opposite is true. If you don’t support muscle repair and growth you will lose the muscle and keep the fat. A high-protein shake or sports drink following a workout are simply not enough to do the job. You need the combination of protein, carbohydrates and amino acids to perform the job of recovery properly. ARM, when added to a healthy diet, will help you become leaner by supporting muscle repair and development.

WOMEN AND ARM
Whether an athlete, working out to stay in shape, or trying to lose weight, a recovery drink for women working out longer than one hour is key to her success. Calorie intake does need to be considered when on a weight-loss program, but restricting calories post workout will hurt any weight-loss efforts because if muscle is lost, your metabolic rate will slow. On the other hand, if muscle is gained, more calories are burned each day helping to speed weight loss.

ARM AND ENDURANCE ATHLETES
Endurance athletes will greatly benefit from using ARM for their recovery. Endurance athletes who train for two hours or longer should get 50 to 100 grams of carbohydrates with their recovery drink (the exact amount will depend on length and intensity of the workout). One serving of ARM with one to three scoops of Max ACM provides the perfect recovery drink for any endurance athlete. For the appropriate amount of carbohydrates you need post workout, visit your local Max Muscle to talk with a Certified Fitness Nutrition Coach.

Max ARM delivers the necessary nutrients the body needs to provide rapid recovery, and get you and your muscles ready for your next workout. MS&F