When it comes to getting fit, people are always looking for that shortcut solution. Usually, if you’re trying to build muscle or lose weight, that shortcut is workout supplements.
Alongside our exercise, we gulp down pills, force back protein smoothies and get buzzed with pre-workout solutions. But many people find that these different workout supplements often don’t make a big difference.
Workout supplements can sometimes even make you feel worse, with people reporting stomach cramps and other pains from using them.
The idea of supplements seems solid but how do you find workout supplements that actually work? To help you through this obstacle, we’ve put together this article.
By the end of it, you should know all of the best supplements for your workouts, and you’ll be building up muscle and slimming down in no time.
Let’s get started.
Do People Use Supplements?
If you’re confused reading this, don’t worry. You’ve seen the weight-lifters, and their protein shakes, but do people really take a lot of supplements? Or is it just the body-builders amongst us?
Actually, the majority of adults in America take dietary supplements. 68% of US adults use supplements, and 84% expressed overall confidence in the safety and effectiveness of these supplements.
You can back up this percentage by the sheer size of the supplements industry. With sales figures hitting nearly $36 billion in 2017.
The trouble people have though is knowing which supplements are right for you and which aren’t.
The Workout Supplements That Actually Work
To help make your life simpler, we’ve put together this list of the best workout supplements to help you get the most out of your workout sessions.
Whatever your exercise goals are, there’s bound to be a supplement in this list that can help you reach those goals.
1. Branched Chain Amino Acids BCAAs
BCAAs are a very popular workout supplement, and for a good reason. They help you both during and after your workout.
BCAAs do the most good in the post-workout stages. BCAAs are a mixture of three different amino acids- isoleucine, leucine, and valine. They work together to repair and recover your muscles.
The whole point is to help your body recover quicker. That means less time spent recovering and more gains in the gym.
As well as providing recovery benefits BCAAs also provide extra energy during workouts too. It’s a great all-rounder for your workouts.
2. Creatine
Creatine has long been a staple of bodybuilders. It’s stood the test of time because it works.
Creatine works by increasing ATP production in your muscles, creating more energy. It also recharges them while you rest.
This gives you those few extra vital seconds of explosive power before you begin to slow down. Creatine also helps to stimulate protein synthesis which can help you build muscle faster.
On top of creatine helping performance in the gym, it also enhances memory and delays mental fatigue.
3. Maca Peruana
Maca has been a staple of natural performance boosting since back in the days of the Inca warriors. Maca Peruana is a plant-based, caffeine-free superfood that is available in a powder.
This superfood enhances endurance, stamina, and energy which makes it the perfect supplement both after and before your workouts.
The Peruvian maca serves for a multitude of different purposes but can make massive differences in your workouts. The Maca Peruana can help your body when exercising by adapting to the goals you are trying to accomplish.
It’s known to reduce fatigue as the Maca Peruana activates hormonal synchronization throughout your body.
4. Fish Oil
Fish oil is an often overlooked supplement when considering all of the alternatives available. But fish oil can have some pretty impressive properties that can help your workouts immensely.
Fish oil contains a high amount of omega three oils. This is a natural anti-inflammatory that can make a huge difference in your workouts.
The anti-inflammatory properties alone can make the difference between struggling to finish your first mile on the run and making it smoothly through your third mile.
Its main benefits are to ease joint pain, reduce muscle soreness and it’s a vital component of the recovery process.
5. Glutamine
Glutamine is an amino acid similar to BCAAs. It’s produced by the body organically.
The purpose of glutamine is to maintain muscle mass. That means if your glutamine levels are running low after a workout, replenishing those glutamine levels are critical for maintaining your muscle mass and growth.
Following a workout its crucial to try and get as much glutamine back into your body. It can be challenging to get glutamine back into your body naturally, as you find glutamine traditionally in very fatty foods.
These foods such as fish, nuts, red meat, beans and other heavily fatty foods aren’t your ideal post-workout meals. That’s why instead of grilling up a steak every time you finish a workout a glutamine supplement can work very well.
Essentially the more glutamine you get back into your body after a workout, the more muscle you will retain.
6. Whey Protein Powder
Just like workout clothes, protein powders are one of the staples you’ll see across almost every person who works out. What you’ll also find is controversial conversations as everyone seems to have an opinion on which is better.
There are hundreds of brands of whey protein, all with different properties and unique selling points. You also have a ton of people who swear by certain brands.
The reality is that different powders serve different purposes. If you want to stay lean and build muscle while remaining as lean as possible, there’s a powder for that.
If you want to bulk and turn into the hulk, there are protein powders with tons of carbohydrates thrown in. You’ve got a different powder for every situation.
Pick the protein powder that suits your personal style and needs.
What Workout Supplements Do You Use?
Whatever workout supplements you swear by, it’s easy to see that adding these supplements to your diet and workout routines can make a big difference to your results.
For more information on keeping fit and healthy, check out our other blog posts.