Beginning lifters often ask how much protein is needed to build muscle mass. Many lifting and bodybuilding sites suggest a half gram per pound of bodyweight to 1.25 grams.For a 150-pound lifter, that would equate to 75 to 187.5 grams of protein a day. A 6-ounce steak has about 42 grams of protein, a 3.5-ounce chicken breast around 30 grams.For many lifters, eating that amount of protein is not feasible, especially at the high end. Supplementing this with protein drinks or powders can bridge the gap.Each lifter will have to …