When it comes to getting amazing results, your training and nutrition are essential. Skip over your workouts, and you won't get the curves you want. If you don't eat properly, you may not build lean muscle at all. Once you're solid in those areas, it's worthwhile to consider a third factor: supplements.

Supplements can help you get faster and more dramatic results. Whether you're trying the basics for the first time or you're looking to get a full arsenal of muscle building supplements, we've designed a supplement combo that'll help you reach your ideal physique.

Multivitamin:

Think of a multivitamin as a low-cost, high-quality, nutritional insurance plan on top of your diet. With a crazy schedule, it can be easy to miss certain nutrients from your diet alone. The daily use of a multivitamin will ensure that your diet doesn't have any gaps, and your body isn't missing any little building blocks. With your micronutrient needs covered, you can focus on shedding fat and getting slim. An off-the-shelf multivitamin just won't do the trick, so avoid the grocery store deals. That Value-Mart multi is formulated for the couch potato, not a guy on a fat loss mission. To get the best, you need the best. Look for a multi with a good Vitamin B complex, plus extra enzymes, amino acids, or antioxidants.

Recommended Multivitamin

Optimum Presents:

Opti-Women

Vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients are the body's fundamental building blocks. Among other things, they contribute to our energy levels, immunity, performance and overall vitality.

Whey Protein:

The second foundational supplement is whey protein. Protein is essential for muscle tissue growth and repair. It can help you meet your daily protein requirements, and is essential to supply fast-absorbing protein around your workouts. Whey will definitely come in handy when you're in a rush and need a quick meal replacement. When selecting your protein powder, look for a whey protein isolate or a blend without unnecessary sugars, fat, and cholesterol.

Recommended Whey Protein

Gaspari Nutrition Presents:

MyoFusion

When it comes to the REAL nutritional needs of bodybuilders and athletes alike, there is little doubt what "legitimate" science has to say about the different protein sources available in the supplement marketplace. Unfortunately, this has little to do with the marketing message spread by most sellers of protein supplements today.

Essential Fatty Acids:

Essential fatty acids are crucial because the body needs them, but can't produce them on its own. EFA's, the omega-3's in particular, assist in healthy hormonal production, support cardiovascular health and healthy skin tone, and promote increased cognitive function, all of which are important for a killer physique and good health. When you choose an omega-3 supplement, read the labels and make sure you choose one with at least 120mg of the fats EPA and DHA. When you choose an omega-3 supplement, read the labels and make sure you choose one with at least 120mg of the fats EPA and DHA.

Recommended EFA

Labrada Presents:

EFA Lean Gold

EFA Lean Gold from Labrada provides you with not only optimal quantities of all three fatty acid groups = Omega-3, Omega-6, and Omega-9 in the healthful ratio of 2:1:1, but also CLA and GLA.

BCAA:

Let's check out branched chain amino acids. BCAA's contain the three amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine. These can't be produced naturally by the body, and must be taken in through food or supplements.

Supplementing with BCAA's can help prevent muscle breakdown while exercising, and help improve recovery rates. Both of these benefits are helpful for lean muscle and, in the end, will get you primed to reveal a cut and ripped physique. The best BCAA supplements will have a 2:1:1 ratio of leucine, isoleucine, and valine, as well as added glutamine, to really push your results.

Recommended BCAA

SciVation Presents:

Xtend

Xtend is a precise, scientific blend of Energy Aminos consisting of the surmised 2:1:1 ratio of Branched Chain Amino Acids (L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine and L-Valine), Glutamine, Citrulline Malate, and Vitamin B6.

Pre-Workout:

Nitric oxide promotes increased blood flow, and with that, better pumps and better nutrient delivery for strength and recovery. Creatine helps provide muscular energy and ensures that you can crank out the last stubborn reps of every set. The most effective N.O. products provide you with arginine, citrulline malate, creatine, and GPLC. For the best results, take your pre-workout supplement about 30-45 minutes before you hit the gym, generally on an empty stomach.

Recommended Pre-Workout Product

Muscle Pharm Presents:

Assault

Engineered by our elite medical team, which includes noted performance specialist, Eric Serrano, MD, and renowned industry researcher, Jeffrey Stout, PhD., ASSAULT contains several powerful, clinically-proven performance boosters, including creatine HCL, the latest breakthrough in creatine technology.

Post-Workout Carbohydrate:

Finally, don't forget the right supplemental nutrition before and after your workouts. Even when you're dropping fat and getting cut, you still need carbs and protein for best results. 1-1.5 hours before you lift, remember to supplement with whey protein and a carbohydrate source. Once you're done with the weights, you'll need the same thing: a quality whey protein, plus a fast post-workout carb like maltodextrin or Vitargo to immediately start recovery.

Recommended Post-Workout Carbohydrate

GENR8 Presents:

Vitargo S2

Vitargo S2 is the super-soluble form of Vitargo, a patented, molecular carbohydrate with ZERO SUGAR. Only Vitargo's low osmolality, molecular carbohydrate form moves through the stomach more than twice as fast as the carbohydrates (e.g. maltodextrin and sugars) found in other sport drinks and powders.

While your diet will make or break your program, supplements will help you get the best results from your efforts. Bodybuilding.com makes it easy to select and order the best supplements to achieve your goals. If you're serious about seeing results, you'll be glad you did!

Next Step: Staying Motivated!