Businesses can make good money selling you supplements to go with your workout. The question becomes which supplements actually help you to workout and recover properly. If you are new to using supplements or even if you are a veteran wondering if you should try something new, there’s a lot of information out there. So much so, that it can be overwhelming at times.

General Rules for Supplements

There are some general rules as to what to look for in a supplement. For example, you don’t want a lot of added ingredients in your supplements. There are also some supplements that are the results of a flooded market. However, we are going to separate the cream from the crop and get you started with your use of supplements with your fitness workout. Here, we are going to take a look at 5 supplements that will help you in a fitness workout.

Branch Chain Amino Acids

Branch Chain Amino Acids, or BCAAs, are an excellent supplement that is made up of leucine, isoleucine, and valine, which are the building blocks of protein. These serve a variety of purposes. First, it helps your recovery time improve by a noticeable amount. This is because they are directly metabolized by muscle tissue.

These also work well for muscle development and are especially important to look at if you are counting calories or are on a diet. It can also give you a boost of energy and strength.

Nootropics

While most nootropics are known for improving brain’s function, few nootropics are not just beneficial to your mind, but also for your body. Nootropics are becoming more and more popular in the fitness and body building community.

Nootropics make excellent pre-workout supplements. People who go to gym take nootropics to help them reach their goals. Not only they will give you the mental motivation through your workout, but they’ll also provide physical benefits to your body. One of the most popular nootropics is Adrafinil. Adrafinil helps you achieve optimal physical performance. It also improves strength and stamina, reduces anxiety and boosts your motivation.

Whey Protein

Speaking of BCAAs, whey protein is chock full of them. It is one of the main proteins that you should focus on when you are trying to attain proper fitness. This supplement should especially be used post workout, with most sources agreeing that it should be consumed within an hour of the last set done in the workout.

Other sources also support taking the whey protein first thing in the morning. This helps your body to recover from the 8 to 10 hours fast that it takes while you are sleeping. However, having it before breakfast isn’t as important as taking it after you work out for that day

Whey can be a more expensive supplement or it can be dirt cheap. However, most people agree this is a case of you get what you pay for. Spending the extra money for whey protein is usually well worth the money so you get a product that will actually help you.

Creatine

Creatine first came to athletes’ attention in the 90s. It has since become one of the most well-researched and supplements on the market. Its aim is to boost lean muscle mass and increase strength gains. This makes it a fantastic choice for weight training and strength workouts.

It is best to take creatine after a training session. Specifically, it should be taken with a carbohydrate to reap its results in full.

Creatine helps to hydrate the muscles as well as increase energy. This allows you to work out longer and reap the benefits more effectively. While this is in some of the foods we eat and naturally in our bodies, taking it as a supplement allows for you to really reap the benefits of the supplement in a way that you naturally can’t.

Multi-Vitamins

This may seem like a no-brainer but if you aren’t taking multi-vitamins you should definitely consider it. These are a great way to fill gaps in your diet. Let’s admit it, no matter how hard we try, no one has the perfect diet. Luckily, multi-vitamins are here to help.

Even eating strictly organic foods anymore doesn’t quite do the trick. From pesticides to pollutants, there is something working against you everywhere.

It is also important to keep your immune system functioning properly. Without this, you will find yourself unable to work out and train. These vitamins and minerals also work to improve your tissue growth and function, allowing you to work out safely.

Even just staying generally healthy is key to good fitness. Without this, you can’t work out and maintain fitness levels.