Health and Fitness Vault: What Are The Best Supplements For Muscle Growth?

First off, before even getting into this article, it is important that you know what supplements are - they are as the word implies, and as it is defined, "Something that completes or enhances something else when added to it." This means that a dietary supplement for muscle growth does not single-handedly allow you to grow muscle.

It may help with particular deficits (lack of protein in diet, poor energy levels, etc.), but it should NOT be relied on solely. You should also not even think about taking a supplement if you do not know what it does, what the side effects are, and if there are any risks involved with taking it.

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You must still have proper nutrition and good fitness in place in order to be able to achieve muscle growth while using muscle building supplements. These supplements will give you an advantage and can promote further muscle growth, but they are not the basis of your progress.

Also, they are not essential for beginners as those that are new to weightlifting can naturally see great results for quite a while before needing the little advantage that supplements can offer you. However, for optimal muscle growth it is definitely recommended to consider some supplements.
Below are five of the most recommended supplements that will help you achieve optimal muscle growth results.

1) Whey Protein
Whey protein powder is an essential part of any bodybuilder's diet. It provides the supplementation necessary to make sure that caloric intake is sufficient on a daily basis. It not only serves as a simple protein source throughout the day, but it is often the preferred protein source in certain situations. For example, a protein shake with whey protein after a workout will provide you with a quick source of protein for the muscles to help with recovery. You want to try and replenish yourself approximately 15 minutes after the workout if possible, and just the time it takes to get home from the gym could easily surpass this.

2) Mass Gainer
A mass gainer consists of high amounts of protein, but it is also rich in the other macronutrients. This is used to help you achieve growth, and it is highly recommended for those that consider themselves to be hard gainers. It allows you to make sure that you do not have any caloric deficits on any given day, provides you with ample amounts of carbs, and still has a fair amount of protein as well. Store-bought mass gainers are a little pricey, but you can always make your own at home to save a bit of money (look online for recipes). If you buy a mass gainer, then try to make sure that there is as little sugar contributing to the carbs as possible. Mass gainers should be taken in the morning or after your workout, but preferably not before bedtime.

3) Creatine
Creatine is a very well known supplement. It is already in our bodies, and it can be supplemented to further receive the benefits that it has to offer. Creatine is one of the least expensive workout supplements as well. It can be costly if you buy in capsule form, which is why powder form is recommended. When you first start using Creatine, you will want to load up. For example, the first five days you could ingest (just mix it in a drink) 20 grams of Creatine, then 10 grams per day for a week, and 5 grams per day for the following month or so. You will have to take a break after this period to cycle off of the Creatine and then start back up.

4) Pre-Workout
A pre-workout supplement is used before your workout to increase your energy, focus, pump, etc., during the workout. This may also be used during the workout if preferred. There are many different pre-workout supplements, with some being better than others. It can be very difficult to shop for pre-workout supplements due to the diversity of the market.

It is recommended that you check reviews of specific supplements that you are interested in before buying. The idea of using a pre-workout is that you will have the extra boost to be able to lift a little more weight, push out some more reps, and ultimately tap your muscle fibers to a further extent so that muscle growth is furthered.

5) Post-Workout Recovery
A recovery supplement is a supplement that is used after your workout. These supplements do a number of things, but ultimately they build, repair, and protect your muscle tissues. This type of supplement is very effective for promoting muscle growth as it taps into an area where many have a weakness. The reason for this is that many do not feed themselves with the proper food after a workout. The recovery phase is very important for muscle growth, so you may want to invest in a recovery supplement to make sure you are not hampering your results. You can consider protein as a recovery supplement, but this is more so focused on supplements that are specifically made to support your muscles after a workout.

Many will suggest that you do not invest in supplements at all. Some people are not informed on how safe they are, the effects they actually have, and so on. However, it is true that you can do without supplementation if you have a proper diet and train right. There are advantages though, and there are no real risks if you stick to safe supplements, so you can argue the use of any of these on this list if you are interested in workout supplements.

There are two major things that should be recommended. One, you want to research the ingredients and safety of any supplement that you are interested in. Two, you should look for user reviews and feedback on any supplements that you are thinking about buying to make sure it is the best investment you can make. In closing, if you make the effort to do your research and shop around, you will definitely be able to find a good workout supplement that can further your muscle growth results.