Having a brew or a glass of wine after a session of weight training is not a good idea. Drinking can thwart your muscle building progress in a number of ways. If you're going to drink alcohol, you should try to do it only on days that you're not lifting. After a weight training session, drink milk or a protein shake instead. These nonalcoholic beverages will help you build muscle.
Alcohol's Affect on Protein
According to weight lifting website Critical Bench, alcohol suppresses the body's ability to synthesize protein. After a weight lifting session, your body needs protein to build and repair the muscles that you worked. The suppressed process of protein synthesis means that your muscles will grow at a much slower rate. This is why drinking a protein shake or milk after a workout is ideal.
Testosterone and Alcohol
Critical Bench also points out that testosterone is a key to building muscle mass, and alcohol reduces the amount of testosterone in the body. This will limit your gains, no matter how hard you work.
Alcohol and Fat
Excess alcohol in the system metabolizes as glucose, which many times gets stored in the stomach and torso area as fat if your metabolism is compromised. This fat can be the hardest in the body to burn, and can hide stomach musculature underneath. You may have strong abs, but they might not be visible due to this layer of alcohol induced stomach pudge.
Dehydration
Alcohol causes dehydration, as the kidneys go to work in the water intensive job of metabolizing your alcohol intake. According to Bodybuilding.com, dehydration after a weight training session can cause additional fatigue because your body is directing its resources to eliminating the alcohol in your system, not toward the muscles that you are trying to grow.
Alcohol's Effects on Regular Training
Alcohol -- before or after a session -- can have a serious negative effect on a regular weight training regime. Bodybuilding.com points out that hangovers reduce focus and cause the body to tire more easily. Your muscles may not perform at maximum potential if you drink regularly because your entire system has been dulled by alcohol's effects.
When to Drink and Train
Of course, many people who weight train do not eliminate alcohol use. Check with your trainer or doctor to see how long you should wait after a session before drinking. Try to schedule alcohol related events to your off days so they do not interfere with the muscle-building effects of your workouts.
