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If you plan on doing physical training to lose weight, have fun or lead a healthy lifestyle, it is necessary to stay well hydrated and nourished. That’s why shakers have become an essential part of the most peoples daily fitness routine. Do you know what they are? Read on and you’ll see how this fitness accessory will make a difference to you.
It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out or if you’re a professional athlete, hydration and nutrition are essential for your health whilst exercising. In a shaker you can store protein, water, milk or whatever is most useful for your workout routine. There are many types of bottles made from different materials, so choosing isn’t easy. Want to find out a little more? Read on.
Contents
- 1 Summary
- 2 The best shaker: Our Picks
- 3 Shopping Guide: Everything you should know about shakers
- 3.1 What is a Shaker exactly?
- 3.2 How do I use a shaker correctly?
- 3.3 Why are shakers necessary for physical training?
- 3.4 What ingredients or supplements can be mixed in a shaker?
- 3.5 Can shakers have any health risks?
- 3.6 How do you clean a shaker so it doesn’t smell?
- 3.7 What’s the best material for a Shaker?
- 3.8 What are the benefits of drinking shakes while doing sports?
- 3.9 At what time of training is it recommended to consume a protein shake?
- 4 Shopping Criteria
- 5 Summary
Summary
- A good shaker is key to use before, during and after your physical activity to ensure you are always well nourished and hydrated.
- There are shakers made of different materials, such as plastic, stainless steel or even glass. While the most common shakers are plastic, you must ensure that these types are free of toxic substances harmful to your health, especially BPA (bisphenol A).
- Today, brands offer shakers with all kinds of accessories, such as funnels, strainers, mixing balls and measurement indicators. You can choose a combination of accessories that best fits your profile.
The best shaker: Our Picks
Training, eating well and hydration are all equally important to lead a healthy lifestyle. No matter how many hours per week you devote to your physical activity, a shaker will help give you all those extra doses of energy you need to improve your overall fitness. We’ve made a careful selection so you can choose the best products on the market. Let’s get into it!
Shopping Guide: Everything you should know about shakers
Incorporating shakers into your training routine could be the big step you need to take to lead a healthier lifestyle. But the criteria for choosing the best shaker is not always clear. The following section will answer the most common questions among users to make sure you buy a quality shaker.
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What is a Shaker exactly?
Shakers are shaped like a tall glass or bottle, which is the space usually reserved for the liquid, such as milk or water. It is also common for shakers to include a separate compartment to store dietary supplements. The latest models also include accessories such as strainers, funnels or mixing balls, to achieve a smooth, lump-free shake.
How do I use a shaker correctly?
- Pour in the liquid you’re going to drink into the main compartment. Usually it is water, but for a protein shake, milk is recommended, as it facilitates absorption in the body.
- Add the food supplement such as protein powder that you want to consume.
- Use, if it is included, the mixing ball, the strainer or the filter, in order to properly eliminate possible lumps in the shake.
- Close the container securely and shake for several seconds.
Shakers usually have measurements engraved on the sides to calculate the proportions of liquids and supplements. It is advisable to carefully read the labels of each product to know what are the suitable portions for consumption. If you have any doubts, it’s best to consult a doctor.
Why are shakers necessary for physical training?
What ingredients or supplements can be mixed in a shaker?
As for dietary supplements, the most common supplement to mix with water or milk is protein, which can come in capsules or powder. Fruits, creatine capsules, nuts, peanut butter, cinnamon or yogurt are also commonly mixed into shakes. If the products are not natural, it is best to consult a professional to know what proportions are safe to consume.
Can shakers have any health risks?
Beyond this precaution, shakers should not pose a health risk, as long as you clean them well after each use. As previously explained, attention should be paid to the dietary supplements that you decide to mix, as you may have a prior health condition that may require special care. An example is the relationship between proteins and the kidneys.
How do you clean a shaker so it doesn’t smell?
If you are away from home and do not have washing detergent, add a little water inside the shaker and mix it around well to remove as much residual shake as possible. Then, when you get home you can give it a good clean with hot water and detergent. If the material of the shaker allows it, the shaker can also be cleaned in the dishwasher.
What’s the best material for a Shaker?
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
|---|---|---|
| Common plastic | Lightweight and portable | May contain BPA or other toxic substances
In general, they are not biodegradable They can give off an odour over time |
| BPA-free plastic | They are lightweight and portable They do not contain toxic substances They’re tough They do not give off odours |
In general, they are not biodegradable |
| Stainless steel | They are very resistant
They keep temperatures better, both hot and cold They don’t contain BPA |
They’re heavy
In general, they are not very easy to hold due to their surface |
What are the benefits of drinking shakes while doing sports?
- They provide many essential amino acids, necessary to maintain and repair muscle tissue.
- Stimulate muscle protein synthesis after physical activity.
- For endurance activities, they help reduce muscle mass.
- They provide an additional energy source, which in turn helps muscle recovery.
- They allow athletes to maintain a positive nitrogen balance, which also aids muscle recovery.
At what time of training is it recommended to consume a protein shake?
| Time of intake | Effect |
|---|---|
| Before training | Ensures more intense and energetic activity |
| During training | Ensures more muscle gain, less fat accumulation and less stiffness after your session |
| After training | Helps muscle regeneration and energy recovery |
Shopping Criteria
If you’re going to buy a shaker to prepare nutritious shakes, it’s important that you consider a couple of important aspects. To make sure you don’t regret your purchase, we’ve compiled a list of the most important criteria to consider before buying. There are certain standards that every good shaker should meet. Here is the criteria we recommend for you:
- Locking system
- Strength and material
- Extra compartments
- Mixing mechanism
- BPA free
- Capacity
- Easy to clean
Locking system
Leaks are so annoying and can ruin your day. No one likes to go out training only to open the fitness bag to find that your shaker has leaked all over your clothes. It is essential that the container you buy is completely airtight. For this you must check how effective the system of the cap or plug is.
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Strength and material
Although the vast majority of shakers are made of plastic, there are different degrees of robustness. You should keep in mind that reinforced plastic is much more resistant than the typical one used for disposable bottles. Also keep in mind that you will use your shaker when training and moving a lot, so they must be able to withstand impacts or being dropped.
Extra compartments
The basic shakers usually only have space for the liquid, basically meaning it is like a drink bottle. To really make a difference, it is important to buy a model that includes extra compartments for your protein, capsules, fruits, or other supplements to allow you to achieve a more nutritious, moisturising blend.
Mixing mechanism
Naturally, a shaker should not fail in its main function: to properly mix the ingredients inside it. A good mixing mechanism is what makes the difference between a nice smooth shake and a shake full of yucky lumps. With this in mind, the shaker accessories, such as the mixing ball are a very important factors to consider before making your purchase.
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BPA free
As mentioned earlier, you must make sure that any plastic shakers that you buy are 100% BPA-free. This substance is highly toxic to the body and can cause cancer. Although there are almost no products on the market that contain BPA, if you do not see that the product explicitly states that it is BPA free, it is better not to risk buying it just in case.
Capacity
Capacity is such an important aspect to consider when buying a shaker. At the moment, shaker capacity usually ranges between 400ml to 500ml. It is also important to take into account the different supplements that you are going to mix in the container. For example, if you only want to mix water and juices, a smaller capacity will be fine. However, if you want to mix Whey protein, fruit, water and milk, it will be better to choose a bigger shaker.
When the capacity of the shaker exceeds 700 ml, its use becomes far less practical. If you want to take your shaker to the gym and beat the mixture easily, the best option is a 400 ml container.
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Easy to clean
Although it may seem trivial, a good shaker should have easily removable parts so that it can be easily cleaned. Therefore, pay close attention to the structure and materials before you buy to ensure it has an easy removable lid. If it says that it is dishwasher safe, that is a major bonus.
Summary
Not all shakers are suitable to nourish and hydrate us properly during sport or physical activity. If you want one to become your new fitness accessory, you must pay close attention to the material they are made of, the compartments they include and their accessories. Only a well-made shaker will help provide nutritional benefits.
When it comes to protein shakes or other supplements that you want to make, it is important to be clear on the proportion of the supplement to liquid. You must also make sure that the plastic material of the shaker is 100% BPA free. With a well designed shaker, your daily fitness routine will definitely change for the better.
If you liked the article, please share it on your social networks so others can learn more about shakers. Or if you prefer, leave us a comment and we will be pleased to answer you. Thanks so much!
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