You hear this word tossed about a lot when it comes to fitness, health, and especially diet. Protein. Perhaps you've been advised to make sure your diet is packed with protein and to eat protein right after a workout. But why specifically? What is the importance of protein after a workout? Whether you're about to hit the gym for the first time or a little rusty on what to do for gains, we're here to tell you all about why protein after a workout is important.

When you work out, you're putting your body and muscles through a lot. The more strenuous, the more your muscles will need to recover. Certain aspects of your diet, along with rest, can help your body build upon your progress, making your body stronger.

Amino acids, which make up proteins, are the building blocks of your body and your life. Therefore, it is such an essential part of your diet. Though the protein that we eat and the proteins that make and maintain our bodies are different, they're all made up of a combination of 20 amino acids. Nine of them are known as essential.

• Histidine
• Lysine
• Isoleucine
• Leucine
• Methionine
• Tryptophan
• Valine
• Phenylalanine

Once you eat and digest protein, the amino acids within them are used as building blocks within your body to create as well as repair tissues, including muscle.

While you're pushing your body for one more deadlift, you're actively tearing and breaking apart muscle fibers. This is done to help muscles grow and get stronger, but it can take a serious toll on you over time. Protein is perfect for building up tissues and fibers, making them stronger and increasing elasticity over time. Eating protein after a workout will increase the impact of your routine while helping to repair your muscles, maintain them, and push them to grow.

The importance of protein after a workout is to keep your body beautiful, strong, and growing after your intense exercises as well as just to fuel your entire body every day too. So, don't skimp on the proteins after leg day or any day.