Everyone you see in the gym likely has some kind of magic supplement formula which they’ll tell you is the best for building muscle and losing fat, but is it for real? Do these supplements actually help your gains or is it all pseudo-science?
In this article, we’re going to go over the most important supplements for building your workout routine and back up their effectiveness with facts. If you’re utterly confused about the whole thing, don’t worry, we’ll also recommend some great products to help you get your nutrition plan sorted.
Supplements can be an excellent way to fuel your body with the nutrients that you might be missing in your meals. The right supplements can boost your strength and stamina, speed up your recovery time and help you to stay motivated when your workout gets tough.
Pre-Workout
You know that you need to work out if you want to make progress, but some days getting yourself motivated is tough. Maybe you’ve had a stressful week, or maybe you’re just tired of exercising?
Either way, a good pre-workout supplement could be the key to getting you off the couch and into the gym. That’s because this supplement provides you with a healthy boost of caffeine and amino acids.
Studies have shown that athletes who ingest caffeine before their workouts can improve speed, stamina, and even strength. Plus, if you’re working out to lose weight, then you’ll also be glad to know that caffeine can stimulate your metabolism and help with weight loss.
Need a little boost in your workout? Try MusclePharm Combat Pre-Workout. This great tasting pre-workout comes in two different flavours, and it gives you an awesome performance boost to keep you focused on your fitness goals.
Protein
If you want to build muscle then you need protein. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be difficult to ingest the proper amount of protein, especially if you’re trying to avoid the fat that comes with it and stave off the wrong kind of weight gain.
Using a powder supplement can allow you to significantly boost your intake in the way of a tasty shake if you just can’t force yourself to eat more chicken. It’s also handy for making a quick, yet
protein-rich breakfast on the go.
It’s a staple for bodybuilders and lifters, but even if you’re not looking to turn yourself into the hulk, studies show that consuming whey protein can actually help you to lose weight.
While you can, of course, get your protein by eating it, there are additional benefits to using a supplement. For starters, whey protein can be absorbed and utilised very quickly when compared to other types of protein. Plus, there are plant based protein powders available as well if you need to boost your protein intake sans animal proteins.
Interested in adding a protein supplement to your workout routine? Check out Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard. It comes in tons of great flavours and is low carb, low sugar and low fat to boot.
Creatine
The effectiveness of Creatine is still highly debated, but there are studies that have shown that it can significantly impact strength and power. However, there can also be some interesting mental improvements when taking Creatine.
If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, then a Creatine supplement could greatly benefit you. Since Creatine mostly comes from meat, people who eat plant-based diets could be severely lacking in this department, and this study showed significant gains in memory for the group taking the supplement versus the placebo.
In short, Creatine can help to improve energy stores required for high-intensity exercise, heavy lifting, and even mental clarity. You can try this out for yourself by picking up some ATP Creatine and adding this great supplement to your workout routine.
BCAA
People who take BCAA are doing so to speed up their muscle growth. Does it really work though? In this study, people who consumed 5.6 grams of BCAAs after their resistance workout experienced a 22% increase in muscle protein synthesis compared to the control group!
BCAA is most effective when paired with a Whey Protein supplement though. This showed even more significant growth in strength for study participants than with BCAA alone.
However, taking a BCAA can also be effective at helping to prevent muscle wasting, which occurs as we age and to reduce muscle soreness and fatigue during your workouts. BSN’s best BCAA is a great way to speed up your recovery time during workouts.
For more high-quality sport supplements at the best price, check out one of New Zealand’s biggest supplement stores – Sportsfuel
