If your goal is to increase muscle size, we’ve got you covered. Shopping for supplements can be difficult as there are many false claims found on labels and littered all over get-big blogs. If you are a serious strength or physique athlete, supplements are key to help you get the most benefits out of your training sessions. However, picking the right supplements is tricky.
Fortunately we are here to take the guesswork out of supplement shopping and uncover the 7 best new-age bodybuilding supplements that will help you get as big and strong as possible.
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Whey Protein
Whey is a fast-digesting high quality protein that when taken post-workout can improve muscle recovery and help promote muscle growth. The ingestion of whey protein has been found to stimulate protein synthesis more than other protein sources like casein and soy. Although it is beneficial to ingest any form of protein after a workout, whey may be the best option for bodybuilders.
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Creatine Monohydrate
Creatine monohydrate is one of the highest scientifically supported muscle-building supplements. This supplement is not only extremely safe, but also very beneficial when it comes to strength and power gains. During an intense lifting or training session, you deplete your body’s creatine and phosphocreatine (PCr) stores that are needed for quick energy. Creatine supplementation increases the availability of creatine and PCr in the muscle, helping maintain energy throughout your high-intensity exercise. Not only can creatine supplementation increase your strength, but can also speed up your recovery time between sets,
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Branched-Chain Amino Acids
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) can help any bodybuilder or strength athlete level up. Take BCAAs with you to the gym and sip on them between sets to help speed up recovery and repair of your muscles. Leucine in particular helps to regulate protein metabolism by increasing protein synthesis and suppressing protein degradation. The result – muscle gains with less muscle damage after a bout of intense resistance training.
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Nitric Oxide Boosters
Nitric Oxide (NO) is a vasodilator, meaning it increases blood flow to your working muscles. The effects of NO are still being investigated in terms of strength benefits, but it has previously been shown to increase skeletal muscle blood flow and reduce soreness, both of which may have a positive effect on strength and performance. Consuming nitrate-rich foods such as beets, pomegranates, and radishes is a natural way to boost endogenous NO.
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Glutamine
Glutamine is well known for its aid in recovery. This nonessential amino acid works by removing excess ammonia, which can accumulate during high-intensity exercise, helping restore your body natural Ph. Strength athletes and bodybuilders that regularly engage in heavy resistance training or power athletes performing two-a-days can benefit most from the recovery support of glutamine supplementation.
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Fish Oils
It’s no secret that omega-3 fatty acids are great for the body. Strength athletes and bodybuilders are constantly breaking down their joints and muscles causing detrimental inflammation. Fish oil’s are loaded with omega-3’s which have antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties that can help alleviate soreness and aid in a quicker recovery process.
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Citrulline Malate
Citrulline Malate (CM) has been around for over 40 years. Once labeled as an antifatigue supplement, CM was prescribed for patients to treat both mental and physical fatigue post-surgery. CM is now also being used for its performance benefits. CM is composed of malate and L-citrulline, which when coupled can help increase rates of ATP resynthesis during exercise, and can also increase rates of PCr in muscles during recovery.