The Worst (And Grossest) Things That Can Happen To Your Protein Shaker Bottle

If you consider yourself a fitness enthusiast and don't own at least one shaker bottle to mix your protein in, we urge you to reconsider your priorities. Regardless of whether you're shaking up whey straight from the cow's udder or a plant-based protein, a bottle designed specifically to mix powder into water is a crucial tool in your quest to better your body.

Click here to see 12 Protein Smoothies to Help Build Muscle.

Protein is a crucial macronutrient for building your body (it's no wonder that bodybuilders love it), resulting in a high instance of protein powder and, thus, shaker usage amongst those who frequently exercise. Sometimes, however, what starts out as a simple leg day that's supposed to be followed by a shake can turn into absolute protein pandemonium. We've compiled a list of some of the worst things that can happen to a protein shaker bottle.

Brace Yourself for Impact
When you walk in the gym and see someone from the cleaning staff mopping the floor somewhere around the dumbbells, you can bet your bottom dollar that a protein-splosion just took place. There's a reason that many gyms forbid food and shakes to be consumed in the free weight area: A haphazardly dropped dumbbell that lands on a bottle full of whey will undoubtedly result in a broken bottle and spilled muscular gains all over the floor.

If You Can't Stand the Heat, Get Out the Kitchen
Your bags are packed and you're ready to go to the gym, but there's one last step: Putting some powder into your favorite shaker bottle. You grab the bottle, pop a shaker ball in it (or put in the mixing strainer thing... what are those called?), and screw the lid on. Wait, though, something feels wrong. Your shaker's lid may suffer from an unfortunate cracking that's often caused by the intense heat that the plastic undergoes in a dishwasher. Hand-washing lids is an easy way to prevent such a traumatic loss.

Oooh That Smell / Can't You Smell That Smell?
Have you ever made the unwise choice to not rinse out your shaker between shakes? Have you ever been the unfortunate soul who opens a sun-warmed shaker, your nose assaulted by the sulfuric smell of hot protein? Old and/or hot protein smells positively repulsive. Please wash your shaker out (with soap if you're fancy) between uses — noses across the whole gym floor will appreciate your conscientiousness.

Uptown Chunk You Up
Anyone who's ever put dry powder into a shaker with some level of condensation in it knows that what started as a good idea can end in chunky regret. No matter how much water you put into your shaker, if the powder starts to get chunky and cling to the bottom of the bottle you're probably straight out of luck. Feel free to try pounding on the bottom of the bottle with your closed fist to loosen the build-up for one set of eight reps, and don't forget to shake the bottle vigorously (to no avail) for three sets of 10 to 12 reps.