Bodybuilders and other athletes are constantly trying to find the most efficient ways to achieve their physical fitness goals, including dietary supplementation along with strength training and different workout regimes or exercises.
Unnatural or harmful substances are completely unnecessary in today’s weightlifting world, thanks to the scientists and doctors who have discovered many completely natural supplements available to help weightlifters more quickly build the lean, large muscles they desire.
Below is a list of 7 extremely beneficial bodybuilding supplements, and how they can help anyone seeking more mass build muscles and increase strength:
1. Creatine
Found naturally in beef, fish and other foods, creatine works by providing the muscles with extra energy during a workout, causing bigger, better results. It also helps replenish energy faster during a workout.
Some reports have shown it may also decrease the risk of heart disease in those who use it, making it an excellent supplement for those with related health issues, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
2. Caffeine
Seems so simple to think that your morning coffee could increase the productivity of your workout, but it goes beyond merely giving you extra energy.
One study found that ingesting caffeine before weight training increased strength by 10% (source: European Journal of Applied Physiology). Caffeine also increases tolerance to pain to help weightlifters push through a rough set.
3. Deer Antler Spray
Completely natural and loaded with vitamins, minerals, enzymes, anti-inflammatory agents and an insulin-like natural growth hormone, deer antler spray is becoming popular because of its ability to help strengthen muscles while helping muscles recover faster.
Derived from the pre-calcified antlers of male deer, this supplement has also been reported to increase blood circulation, giving the user a better workout and quicker results.
4. Protein
If you want to build muscles up, you need to break them down, and then give them the fuel they need to grow and heal—and one of the most basic, necessary supplements for this process is protein.
Many bodybuilders prefer whey protein because it is absorbed quickly into the body, helping to increase lean muscle mass. Others prefer casein protein taken at night to achieve their protein needs.
Soy protein is not generally recommended, as it can mimic estrogen in the body when consumed in large amounts.
5. ZMA
ZMA is a patented mineral formula that has been getting attention lately because of its ability to speed muscle recovery.
With zinc, magnesium and amino acids to strengthen the immune system and increase testosterone, ZMA also includes antioxidants to decrease toxicity in the liver, making it a good supplement for those on detox diets as well.
6. L-Glutamine
L-Glutamine is an amino acid that aids protein in building muscle, making it an important addition to any supplementation schedule.
Increasing growth hormone production, L-Glutamine speeds up muscle recovery and is recommended before and after a workout, so if you want to prevent muscle breakdown, this is the supplement to use.
L-Glutamine is naturally found in many foods such as meat, eggs, dairy and spinach, so if you eat a lot of animal products, you’re already consuming a decent amount of this substance.
7. CLA
Naturally occurring in animal products such as meat and dairy, CLA (a.k.a. Conjugated Linoleic Acid) is a fatty acid that helps build lean muscle mass.
CLA can also boost the immune system and fight free radicals with the antioxidants it offers, potentially lessening the risk of certain cancers (making it an excellent supplement for tanning bed users to aid in the prevention of skin cancer, for example).
If you have reached a bodybuilding plateau and would like to give your muscles the nutritional means and support they need to build the strength and mass you’ve been striving for, try adding some of the supplements listed above to your nutritional regime, daily smoothie or protein shake. You’ve got nothing to lose, and only massive amounts of muscle to gain.
