Do Supplements Really Work for Bodybuilding?

Muscle-building supplements can improve physical performance during resistance training and help stimulate muscle growth. Protein and creatine are two popular supplements that can have these effects.

Do Supplements Really Work for Bodybuilding?

Resistance training, such as weightlifting, places a high degree of tension on the muscles. It is common among athletes to use supplements before or after training to aid muscle growth and recovery. Protein and creatine are two popular supplements that can have these effects and improve physical performance during resistance training. The products are easy to purchase at nutrition stores or online.

Branched chain amino acids (BCAA), creatine, beta-alanine and citrulline malate are some of the most commonly used supplements. By loading or supplementing creatine, bodybuilders increase the muscle stores of the energy-containing compound, which can then be used to provide an additional boost for an intense high-weight-lifting session. While they may be beneficial if your diet is inadequate, more information is needed before recommending BCAAs as a reference supplement for muscle mass gain. When your diet is good and the previous three are used correctly, then and only then (considering that you have the money) you should move on to the next set of supplements.

If you're a weekend warrior, using supplements for a few seconds of benefit might not be worth it, Smith said. Whey protein is the most common powdered supplement because it's cheap and easy to obtain; it's a by-product of the cheese-making process, but other protein sources are likely to be just as good. Creatine supplementation can increase the levels stored in the muscle and provide more strength and power during training or competition. Considering the criteria, it's no surprise that most serious bodybuilders consider supplementation to be an essential component of their training regimen.

I learned how supplement marketing works after countless hours of interviewing industry experts, both from the perspective of founding a fitness app and on my own journey from obese nerd to fitness trainer. While it's never worked well for me (I'm in the unfortunate 10th percentile), almost everyone else I know has had phenomenal results with this supplement. The SDG seeks to strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating scientific information, supporting research, sharing research results, and educating the public. Suzanne Smith, a certified sports dietician at UC San Diego Health, says there is scientific evidence to suggest that some supplements may improve sports performance. One supplement, which a great deal of research has shown to be effective in building muscle mass when combined with intensive strength training, is creatine (sold as creatine monohydrate). It can increase muscle creatine content by up to 40% above normal levels (4, 5).

In conclusion, muscle-building supplements can be beneficial when used correctly in combination with a healthy diet and regular exercise. However, it is important to remember that supplements should not replace a balanced diet or regular exercise routine.

Joshua Nessner
Joshua Nessner

Evil food guru. Typical twitter scholar. Incurable web enthusiast. Award-winning beer advocate. Travelaholic.

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