Bodybuilding supplements are a more controversial topic among bodybuilders than 9/11 is to most Americans. If you’re a newbie in the world of bodybuilding, you will certainly find yourself like fish out of water at a certain point when in the bodybuilding supplements section of any store. I bet you’ve seen tons of supplements in your gym and heard that a lot of people take them on daily basis, but you don’t have the guts to ask yet what they’re all about fearing you’ll look dumb and uninformed. No worries, in this article we’ll try to make it clearer what’s the point of supplements, which ones you should take, when, and why.
Things You Should Know
As a beginner, it’s important not to overdo it. Don’t depend on the supplements to fulfill your nutrition needs alone. The whole point of supplements is to complement your diet and fill out the missing nutrients you can’t get from food alone. A well tailored diet accompanied by the right supplements will enhance your progress and will make you achieve your fitness goals faster. Buying supplements in bulk will potentially save you some money, but as I said, don’t overdo it on your first stocking up.
Why Take Supplements
Because they help muscle growth and repair. Simply put, bodybuilding supplements will help you reach your fitness goals faster. Whether you want to gain weight, lose weight, or build lean muscle, supplements can help you with all of that. The only thing you need to do, is understand the function of different supplements and implement them in accordance to your diet.
Universally Beneficial Supplements
The supplements I’m about to list can be used by any gym-goer, regardless of their fitness goals. They are meant to improve performance, physique and muscle recovery.
Protein
Protein is the foundation of muscle gains and there’s no other supplement equal to it. It’s extremely convenient to take, the best periods to consume it being in the morning, before and after working out. While obtaining protein from food can provide more sustained protein levels, the protein powder is rapidly shuttled in the muscles where it can exert its anabolic effects.
Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)
BCAAs involve leucine, valine and isoleucine, which are usually taken through the foods we eat but not in a sufficient amount. For this reason, consuming BCAA supplements is essential as they considerably improve muscle density and exponentially increase the body’s recovery rate. The body uses BCAAs to build new proteins after training, and if your primary fitness goal is building lean muscle, BCAAs should be on top of your supplements list.
Creatine
Creatine has been a revolutionary supplement since it hit the shelves back in the early nineties. It amplifies strength gains and boosts lean muscle mass while also boosting energy levels, allowing you to train harder and longer. Furthermore, it hydrates the muscle tissue, which results in your muscles being stronger and bigger. Bear in mind that when consuming creatine, you should also significantly increase your water intake. Power up!