A new survey of regular exercisers in the US reveals 82 per cent have poor post-workout nutrition habits.

According to the survey, 36 per cent do not want to consume calories after a workout, 53 per cent believe eating protein will build undesired muscle and 50 per cent believe eating carbohydrates could yield less optimal results.

Vice president of nutrition and performance at EAS Sports Nutrition, which conducted the survey, Amanda Carlson-Phillips said there are many misconceptions about how to optmise post-workout results.

"Many individuals believe that consuming calories, especially carbohydrates, after a workout are a bad thing.

"In actuality, your body needs calories - especially carbohydrates and protein - to restore energy, build strength and improve lean body mass post workout."

The survey also found muscle fatigue and body soreness prevented respondents exercising, 98 per cent said they wanted to improve how they felt post-workout and only one in three realised post-workout nutrition helped decrease muscle breakdown.

The survey questioned 1,000 people across the US who worked out three times a week or more.