Here are the top rated bodybuilding supplements
If you read most bodybuilding and muscle magazines, you would think you need to take two dozen supplements to build more muscle. There are many supplements out there, but few will give you the results of the top supplements listed here.
Bodybuilders are taking these on a regular basis for maximum muscle gains:
- Protein
- Creatine
- Glutamine
- BCAAs
- Multi Vitamins
These are the best natural supplements in the bodybuilding world. I have been taking these for years. Here are the reasons why:
Protein
Protein is number one. Muscles simply will not grow without getting enough of it. You need it. Lots of it. Whey protein, casein protein, egg protein, etc. If you are Vegan, there are plant based proteins you can use to increase your daily dose of protein.
Shoot for at least 1 to 1.5 grams per pound of bodyweight per day from all sources. Protein powder supplements are just that…supplements. They are meant to give you a boost, but please try to get most of your daily intake from natural while foods such as fish, beef, chicken, etc.
Creatine
Pulls water into the muscle cells and provides ATP, which is energy for muscle contractions. It will allow you to work your muscles harder and make them bigger! Creatine is produced in the body naturally, but is depleted when you exercise strenuously. Supplementing will keep your muscles “topped off” allowing more intense sets that will accelerate your progress.
Glutamine
The most abundant amino acid in your muscles and it is used up when you work out, you need to replace it with more. Similar to creatine, you want to keep your muscles full of glutamine to allow more work and enhanced recovery.
BCAAs (branched chain amino acids)
These are the top 3 amino acids, leucine, isoleucine and valine. Leucine being credited with “turning on” the muscle building process. Make sure your muscles are full of these critical aminos.
Multi-vitamins
Your body needs many different vitamins to function at peak efficiency. Make sure you are getting what you need so your bodybuilding progress is maximized. You cannot expect maximum results if you body does not have the basic nutrients to recover and grow.
You can read more about bodybuilding supplements at Wikipedia.
My personal Bodybuilding Supplement Timing and Dosages
I have a single scoop of ON 100% Gold Standard whey protein shake first thing every morning (365 days/yr) with 6 oz of skim milk along with my multi Vitamin.
On workout days, I have a pre-workout shake 20 minutes before hitting the weights, consisting of 1 serving each of glutamine, creatine, BCAA and BSN N.O. Xplode or Cellucor C4 pre-workout supplement in 8 oz of water.
Same thing after each workout, except I replace the preworkout with a scoop of whey protein.
Before bed each night (again, 365 days/yr) I have a protein shake using a Casein protein blend such as BSN Syntha-6 so it lasts longer during the night.
There are certainly many more top bodybuilding supplements but these are the basics.
I use these three supplement stores for all my needs, they all carry the best supplement brands and have the best discounts and often offer coupon codes:
VitaminShoppe.com (Great prices AND FREE shipping over $25!)
Bodybuilding.com (Good prices, fast shipping and huge selection)
Amazon.com (prices are not the best on supplements, but they have it all and ship fast as well)