The Protein Corner

Steroid use is rampant in the fitness space. But because of the societal stigma surrounding steroids, most “roiders” lie about their drug use.  And while this deception seems insignificant, in many cases, it’s not. The “ steroids vs natural ” debate matters because many “fake” naturals use their physiques to gain followers and sell pills, powders, and PDFs. Not only is this fundamentally dishonest, but it skews people’s expectations about what’s achievable with their own physique, which often begins a frustrating, disappointing, and dysfunctional relationship with weightlifting. Because let’s face it: no matter your genetics or how hard you train, when it’s natural vs steroids , steroids win every time. That’s why it’s worth knowing how to spot a fake “natty,” and why I’ve created a guide highlighting the steroids vs natural discussion. In it, you’ll learn what natty means in the gym , 8 evidence-based ways to tell if someone is taking (or has taken steroids), and more....

Creatine and creatinine are two terms often heard side by side in the health and fitness space. Their similar names cause much confusion, leading many to conflate the two or wrongly compare creatine versus creatinine . However, creatine and creatinine are distinct compounds with unique functions in our bodies. In this article, you’ll learn the differences between creatine vs. creatinine and gain evidence-based insights into how and why understanding the distinction is vital. Table of Contents Understanding Creatine and Creatinine Creatine Creatinine Creatine vs. Creatinine: Key Differences Does Taking Creatine Increase Creatinine Levels? Creatinine vs. Creatine: FAQs FAQ #1: Is creatinine the same as creatine? FAQ #2: Is creatine OK for kidneys? FAQ #3: What happens if creatinine is high? FAQ #4: What’s the best creatine? Understanding Creatine and Creatinine Before comparing the differences between creatinine vs. creatine , it’s important to grasp what each ...

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify | Listen on YouTube In this episode, I tackle a diverse array of questions from my dedicated Instagram followers, ranging from optimizing muscle explosiveness, to the influence of genetics on vascularity. I’ll also get into the age-old debate of zone 2 cardio versus high-intensity interval training, the benefits of beetroot for exercise performance, and the impact of weekend drinking on muscle gains. As always, these questions come directly from my Instagram followers, who take advantage of my weekly Q&As in my stories. If you have a question you’re dying to have answered, make sure you follow me on Instagram (@muscleforlifefitness) and look out for the Q&A posts. Your question might just make it into a podcast episode! If you like this type of episode, let me know. Send me an email ( mike@muscleforlife.com ) or direct message me on Instagram. And if you don’t like it, let me know that too or how you think it could be better...

At one point or another, most gymgoers wonder: Does cardio kill gains ? Here’s how it usually goes: You’re training hard, eating well, and getting enough sleep to gain muscle. But to stay fit, you feel you should also do some cardio, even if it’s just for an hour or two each week. The worry is that while cardio is good for your health, it might also diminish your muscle and strength gains. But is that really true? Does cardio make you lose muscle mass? Or have the “muscle-burning effects” of cardio been exaggerated by online fitness “gurus?” In this article, you’ll learn the answer. You’ll also discover the mistakes people make that can increase your odds of cardio burning muscle, how to combine cardio and weightlifting correctly, and more.  Table of Contents Does Cardio “Destroy” Gains? Mistake #1: Doing cardio instead of lifting weights. Mistake #2: Doing cardio as part of a crash diet. Mistake #3: Running too much. Mistake #4: Doing too much total cardio. Mistake ...

Most guides to the best chest exercises come up short. Instead of focusing on time-tested chest exercises, they recommend novel movements that look innovative, but that won’t give you the results you want.  In this article, we’ll chart a different course. In it, you’ll learn all of the best exercises for chest size and strength, three evidence-based chest workouts, some key insights about chest anatomy, and more.  Table of Contents 15 Best Chest Exercises for Men and Women 1. Bench Press 2. Incline Bench Press 3. Dumbbell Bench Press 4. Incline Dumbbell Bench Press 5. Close-Grip Bench Press 6. Dip 7. Dumbbell Floor Press 8. Dumbbell Pullover 9. Push-up 10. Resistance Band Push-up 11. Deficit Push-up 12. Decline Push-up 13. Resistance Band Chest Press 14. Dumbbell Fly 15. Cable Fly Best Chest Workouts: Exercises, Sets, and Rep Ranges Chest Workout for Mass Chest Workout for Strength Chest Workout for Beginners What Are the Muscles of the Chest? Th...