Here is a list of supplements that are worth buying if you truly want to build lean muscle naturally and take your body to the next fitness
Do you use supplements?
Fitness and body building magazines are full of advertisements touting some sort of supplement that will get you the results you are looking for.
The problem though is most of these products have no way to back up there claim, this is why they disappear from the shelves in a short period of time.
The real fact is most are pure bullshit, a total waste of your money. Some will actually hurt your long-term health since they are loaded with all types of chemicals.
I don’t know about you but I workout to be healthy and in shape and there are only a few supplements necessary to accomplish this, and they have been around for a long time.
They have proven that they are worth the money you are spending, getting results year after year and with no side effects.
Without the proper diet and supplements you can actually workout and get smaller and weaker by overstraining your body putting it into a catabolic state.
So lets start with the basics:
Whey Protein:
Consuming protein after your workout (post workout) is key to taking your body to that next level. But it can’t just be any protein; whey protein is a fast digesting protein that delivers amino acids to the muscles quickly.
If you are serious in your workouts this simple act can make a dramatic difference in your fitness goals. Especially if you have a hard time putting on weight, yes it may be hard to believe that some people have a hard time gaining size and muscle mass.
You want to consume at least 20 to 40 grams of whey protein post workout ( after exercise).
Want to know more about protein see How much protein is to much
I have seen many debates to the timing of consuming whey protein but have found within a half hour after exercise works best. But there is a catch that most people don’t realize; you need to consume glucose along with it to get real results.
Glucose:
If you put your body through a high intensity workout you will have depleted your muscles glycogen stores and your body will release cortisol.
If your body releases too much cortisol it will go into a catabolic state and turn your existing muscle into fat for energy.
As you can imagine this would not be a good thing and is why so many people never gain any muscle mass when training. The only way to stop this is consuming simple carbohydrates, and they can come from a few sources.
Dextrose is the preferred choice, followed by honey and table sugar. You want to consume 60 to 100 grams in your post workout drink (after exercise) along with your protein.
Want to know more read using simple sugars to build bigger muscles
Glutamine:
Glutamine is an amino acid that prevents muscle breakdown, promotes recover, and boost hormone levels.
If you take you’re workouts to the max (high intense exercise) the last thing you want to happen is for your muscles to go into a catabolism mode destroying all your hard work.
Plus you will want your muscles to recover quickly so you can get back to the gym.
It’s expensive in comparison to other supplements but well worth the cost.
Take 5 grams before and after your workouts.
Creatine:
If you are looking for larger and stronger muscles creatine is the answer. Creatine works by pulling more water into the muscle cells and helps produce more energy for performing high intensity workouts.
When you first start taking creatine monohydrate you should saturate your muscles (loading the muscle) by consuming 5 grams with every meal for 4 days.
After that take 5 grams of ceatine before and after your workouts and 5 grams on your days off to maintain creatine levels.
L Arginine:
Arginine is best known for boosting nitric oxide levels in your body resulting in more water and blood being delivered to your muscles giving your that muscle pump that you desire.
But Nitric oxide can also increase muscle strength in as little as eight weeks time.
Take 5 grams of L Arginine 3 times a day with a glass of water on an empty stomach is best.
Make sure you take it 30 to 60 minutes before your workouts.
Now some of you may be adding up the cost of these supplements and be saying that steroids are far cheaper and more effective. As true as this statement is, just like anything in life you get what you pay for.
1. Steroids are illegal.
2. Once you stop taking them you will loose almost everything you worked for.
3. This will leave you looking like an old wet newspaper, defeating the whole purpose of working out in the first place.
4. You sacrifice your mental and future health taking steroids.
Want to know more see steroids and growth hornones
If you are asking if you need to take all of these supplements the answer is no, this is why I listed them in order of priority.
But if you put them all together with a proper diet you truly can take your body to a whole new fitness level!
Please note:
Before taking any supplements consult your doctor, especially if you are taking any medication!
Have any questions? Ask them.
Want to know more? See- How to add muscle mass
Tags: exercise, lean muscle, supplements