Main | Training | Nutrition | Supplements | Day 1

Supplements will never replace a great diet and hard training. But taken strategically, they can help you take both of those essential ingredients and make them slightly more effective.



Supplements can help fill the nutritional gaps in your diet—no matter if it's a macronutrient like protein or a micronutrient like a vitamin or mineral. It can help you meet an ambitious protein target with minimal inconvenience, while also helping you maximize recovery between workouts. Those two benefits can definitely mean greater muscle gains and fat loss over time.

It's easy to get confused by the massive selection of sports and dietary supplements on the market. When this is the case, the best choice is to go simple and stick with the essentials.

Essentials

Whey Protein

If there's one thing you can do to help your nutrition support your intense training, it's this: consume more protein. It's the only major nutrient that stimulates muscle protein synthesis, the process by which your body repairs and grows muscle. And on today's (virtual) supplement shelves there are seemingly endless options for where you can get your protein: dairy, egg, chicken or other animal sources, or vegetable sources like soy, rice, hemp, or a blend of multiple protein types.

Yes, you can simply eat more whole-food protein. That works just fine—if it's an option. But for many reasons—expense, convenience, schedule, you name it—it's often not. The solution is to eat what you can, and then add a protein shake or two on top of it.

Dose: 1-2 shakes of 25-50 grams per day, especially on training days

Bodybuilding.com Signature 100% Whey Protein
Bodybuilding.com Signature 100% Whey Protein
Signature 100% Whey Protein is perfect first thing in the morning, between meals, and especially after your workout. It’s so delicious it’ll can slay your sweet tooth without wrecking your macros.

Multivitamin

Hard-training athletes need more nutrients in their diets than sedentary people. And this doesn't change when the goal is to lose weight! If anything, getting adequate nutrients is even more important when you're burning more calories than you're taking in. A good multivitamin, along with a balanced diet, can help provide your micronutrient requirements. It's not magic, but it's a solid tool to have in your arsenal.

Start your day with a comprehensive multivitamin-mineral supplement to fill any gaps left in your whole-food diet by providing a full array of micronutrients. A multivitamin supports your overall health and wellness, may boost your energy levels, and can help your muscles recover from your workouts.*



The best time to take a multivitamin is in the morning, but some products will suggest a serving in the morning and at lunch. Always follow the label for maximum results.

Bodybuilding.com Signature Multivitamin
Bodybuilding.com Signature Multivitamin
This multi is an affordable, science-backed formula that fits in just one pill a day. If you just want to do the right thing for your body and get on with your life, this all-in-one pill should be your go-to.

Fish Oil

Fish oil and other essential fatty acid supplements are extremely beneficial for overall health and wellness. Essential fats are called "essential" because your body can't produce them on its own, which means they must be obtained from diet or supplements. Essential omega-3 fats, like those found in fish oil, provide a wide array of health benefits. They may support your fat-loss efforts; support normal, healthy immune function; and support heart, brain, vision, and joint health.*

Bodybuilding.com Signature Fish Oil with Omega-3
Bodybuilding.com Signature Fish Oil with Omega-3
We source clean, fatty fish for our Fish Oil, and lemon-flavored enteric coating means no fishy aftertaste.

Optional Performance Boosters

Pre-Workout

Pre-workout supplements can help boost your energy and performance in the gym. They typically contain science-backed performance-boosting ingredients like creatine, beta-alanine, caffeine, and nitric oxide boosters to help you feel the "pump" in high-rep workouts. These ingredients can help you train harder and get the most out of every workout.*

Signature Pre-Workout
Signature Pre-Workout
Increases Focus and Fuels Athletic Performance

Creatine

Daily creatine supplementation can improve strength and power output and performance during lifting and interval-style work. It can also help training result in greater muscle and strength gains.*

Despite what lifters and athletes told one another once upon a time, you don't have to follow an intensive 1-2 week "loading protocol" to see these benefits. Just 5 grams a day will get you the same benefits over time. But here's the kicker: For creatine to work, you have to take it daily for weeks—or even better, months—at a time.

Dose: 5 grams daily, mixed in a protein shake or beverage of your choice

Bodybuilding.com Signature Creatine Monohydrate
Bodybuilding.com Signature Creatine Monohydrate
Creatine monohydrate is the king of supplements: It’s unbeatable for its ability to help your body’s muscles perform at their best and grow to their fullest.

BCAAs

Made up of three essential amino acids—leucine, isoleucine, and valine—branched-chain amino acids or "BCAAs," promote growth and recovery.* A 2:1:1 ratio delivers more muscle-building leucine. The best amino acid blends also include electrolytes and other performance and recovery-enhancing ingredients, making them a favorite for lifters to sip during a workout, or any other time of day.



Dose: 5-6 grams, mixed with water, as needed throughout the day

Bodybuilding.com Signature BCAA
Bodybuilding.com Signature BCAA
Hitting the weight room extra hard? Pushing yourself toward that new PR? Time to reach for BCAAs.

Protein Bars

Protein bars are more popular than ever, but that doesn't mean that they're all worth your precious time, money, or calories! Sure, some are a good alternative to candy bars, but others are basically, well, candy bars—just with a little more good stuff in them to go along with the bad.

Read the labels of any protein bar you consider! Some bars are very high in sugar and fat, and they might even have more calories than a candy bar. But a well-made, protein-rich bar can help kill cravings, keep your nutrition on track, and give you the protein you need wherever you are.

Bodybuilding.com Signature Protein Crunch Bars
Bodybuilding.com Signature Protein Crunch Bars
Contains 20g of Whey Protein in Each Bar to Support Workout Recovery & Lean Muscle Growth* Gluten Free and No Artificial Flavors

Main | Training | Nutrition | Supplements | Day 1

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About the Author

Heather Eastman, NSCA-CPT

Heather Eastman, NSCA-CPT

Heather’s mission is to use her passion for fitness and her knowledge of training and nutrition to educate and motivate others to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle.

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