All the rage in the gym has been to consume protein and carb. supplements prior to your workout, but did you ever wonder why this is an advantage?
 
A new study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning expels the myths and determines that the carb., protein supplements do not enhance workouts, but rather save muscle from excessive damage and contribute to better recovery and better performance in following workouts.

The results indicate that a carbohydrate and protein supplement can significantly reduce muscle damage during acute bouts of resistance exercise, potentially allowing athletes to participate in their next high-intensity exercise bout in a shorter period of time.

Strength training and intense workout routines are catabolic in nature, meaning they induce muscle breakdown.  In order for the muscles to repair and grow stronger, you need optimal supplies of aminos (the building blocks of protein) to be readily available.  By ingesting aminos prior to working out, you will have them in your blood, ready for delivery to working muscles, thus reducing the damage imposed upon them through training.  This equates to improved recovery and more strength and muscularity returns over the long run.  

As far as the carbohydrates go, they assist with shuttling nutrients into the muscles and they are an immediate source of energy.

Fuel your workouts to get the results you want.  And remember; optimal results are only possible with optimal nutrition.