Question about protein shakes and another

[Scars]

At my gym I notice a lot of guys drinking their shakes DURING their workouts. Is this more beneficial or does it not really matter? My routine is usually to wake up, I eat a bowl of cereal, do my work out, come back eat a hardy breakfast (eggs, toast, sometimes ham/bacon etc..) and then drink my protein shake. Am I doing things backwards or what? I didn't think it really mattered, but most of the guys doing this are pretty big..

Also, I am starting to see some gains finally but I am wondering if there is anything I can do about the dips where the bicep meets the forearm and the dip where the bicep meets the shoulders. Right now my biceps just kind of look like humps, I want them to be more consistent with the rest of my arm. Am I doing the exercises wrong, or is it just simply going to take awhile before these little areas begin to develop? I've been trying to do strictly free weight exercises, but I do use machines from time to time.

Thanks in advance.

[muscleman]

Only thing you really need to drink while working out is water. If I was consuming anything that required digestion, I'd want to hurl. They must not be lifting hard.

I have whey shakes twice a day: once as soon as I wake up (precursor to breakfast) so I can get a fast absorbing protein in my system asap after a night of no nutrition, and once right after a workout as your body can make really good use of a fast absorbing protein source then (precursor to a full meal).

[Amoral]

Protein is what repairs lean tissue enough said.

[muscleman]

Regarding your biceps - from your post it seems like you're talking about their shape. There's nothing you can do about that. You can make them bigger/smaller, but the overall shape (also known as "peak") will remain the same. That part is genetic.

[The Rational Male]

I thought concentration curls could help add a little definition to the peak of the bicep?

As for protein, when I was trying to put on some muscle I did about 4 shakes per day, one of them I would try to get in ASAP after a workout. Now that I am trying to lose some body fat I'm down to 2 shakes per day, but I still get one in close to workout time.

I've heard people argue it both ways, but I don't think it's necessary to drink one WHILE you are working out. Get one in you as soon as you can post workout and you should be fine.

[muscleman]

A fast-digesting protein shake post workout is essential. It's proven. Other times it's up to you. Certainly won't hurt.

You really can't reshape your bicep. It is what it is. Do some barbell curls, go heavy, and focus most of your routine on compounds and you'll grow.

[Hooligan Harry]

Yeah, you cant really shape your biceps at all. Best thing to do is pound out the barbell and dumbell curls and let nature take its course really. Best way to make your biceps peak? Build bigger triceps. The bicep being smaller "peaks" when viewed above large triceps. They are a small muscle group that people spend way too much time on IMO.

With regards to protein, I only use whey protein these days. I use it twice a day. I through a serving into my morning oats, and I get some in after my workout. Rest of the time I stick to normal food. I dont know how people consume shakes during their workout though. I have seen bodybuilding mags promoting the idea and that comes as no surprise, but I would get sick if I did that. Even with eating, eating within an hour of training, esp back or legs, could send me to the change rooms to throw up

[Aenigma]

Yeah, you cant really shape your biceps at all. Best thing to do is pound out the barbell and dumbell curls and let nature take its course really. Best way to make your biceps peak? Build bigger triceps. The bicep being smaller "peaks" when viewed above large triceps. They are a small muscle group that people spend way too much time on IMO.

With regards to protein, I only use whey protein these days. I use it twice a day. I through a serving into my morning oats, and I get some in after my workout. Rest of the time I stick to normal food. I dont know how people consume shakes during their workout though. I have seen bodybuilding mags promoting the idea and that comes as no surprise, but I would get sick if I did that. Even with eating, eating within an hour of training, esp back or legs, could send me to the change rooms to throw up

If its been a few hours since I've eaten I take a small shake with some complex sugars and a spoon of coffee.  Helps make sure I feel energized in the entire workout without feeling overly fatigued and tired in the latter half.  Whether there is sound bio-chemistry behind this *shrug*; I just know I have a better workout when I have one.