If you’re someone who’s looking to get more out of your weight training or bodybuilding, you’re more than likely already researching various supplements and the best ways to go about getting all of the nutrition that you need to be successful. But the world of supplements can be difficult to navigate through and for those less experienced it can be somewhat of a nightmare to try and differentiate and pick between different options.
In this article you’re therefore going to be receiving a crash course in supplements aimed at helping you get better results out of your workouts and how they can be approached. If you’re looking for more information regarding what supplements are available and what you might be interested in picking up, Post & Courier has an excellent resource that you can consult to get more information. It’s always better to be over-informed than vice versa, and getting information from a variety of sources is an excellent way to make sure that you make the best possible decision for your situation and your goals.
Supplements can be beneficial regardless of your experience or goals
Regardless of what your experience or goals are, supplements can be an excellent way of abetting your workouts and ensuring that you have all of the nutrition that you need to be able to succeed. Supplements are not something reserved for elite bodybuilders or fitness influencers and can be incredibly beneficial for someone simply looking to improve their overall health or get stronger. Supplements are not meal replacements, something we’re going to be discussing further soon, but they are an excellent way of ensuring that you get everything that you need without needing to make drastic changes to your diet as a beginner.
Do your research on different brands and products
As with everything, it’s a good idea to do proper research and read up on different products and brands before you make a decision on what to buy. Utilizing articles and summaries like the one we have linked further up in this article is a good place to start, but it can also be very helpful to consult reviews on various websites to see what other customers think about a specific product or brand.
Picking the right supplements for your goals is absolutely paramount
Even if you shouldn’t be intimated by taking supplements, it’s important that you choose the right supplements for your goals. The best example we can use to illustrate this is pure whey protein versus mass gainer. As implied by the name, a mass gainer is a supplement dense in calories and nutrients designed to help someone gain weight. Mass gainer allows someone to eat more than normal, while also boosting their caloric intake massively, something that’s very helpful during a bulking period. However, someone who’s simply looking to build muscle slowly is probably going to shy away from this, due to the added weight gains from such a major caloric intake.
Whey protein on the other hand is designed to help you get enough protein intake during the day, and as a way to quickly replenish protein after a workout. Whey protein is not nearly as calorie dense as a mass gainer, but is full of beneficial protein. that helps with recovery and to build muscle. Therefore it’s incredibly important that you buy the right type of supplement for what you want to achieve with your training. If you’re in doubt, however, it might be best to just go for some whey protein to start out with.
Supplements should not replace healthy food and a proper diet
One of the main things to remember when it comes to supplements of all forms is that it should never be viewed as a replacement for actual food. Supplements can be a great way for you to ensure that you get everything that you need, as eating upwards of 200 grams of protein per day can be incredibly tough. But supplements are not nutritionally complete and you still need to ensure that you get everything your body needs through your food.
Supplements are excellent snacks and for post-workouts
Supplements shouldn’t be a meal replacement alternative, but they can be a fantastic way of quickly giving your energy the nutrition and building blocks it needs to able to start the recovery process after a demanding workout. Bringing a protein shake or some protein bars with you to the gym is a fantastic way of ensuring that you can replenish what you’ve lost quickly, as well as giving your muscles what they need to be able to start rebuilding as quickly as possible. Experiment with what works best for you and what you feel could be the best option for your post-workout snacks, and don’t forget to have a proper meal once you get home.