Bodybuilding
Supplements For Muscle Mass
Let's
face it, if you're training hard at the gym and not gaining the
coveted muscle mass, you should review your nutrition routine
and ask yourself the following questions.
(1)
Are you eating the right foods?
(2) Are you eating enough meals per day?
(3) Are you taking supplements?
If
the answer to these 3 important questions is a big NO, then
here lies the issue. If you don't have a solid nutrition in
place, you're not going to gain muscle mass plain and simple.
As far as supplements are concerned, these can play a crucial
role in your overall bodybuilding routine provided you know
how to use them efficiently. But I've got a confession to make,
if you're not eating right, don't expect bodybuilding supplements
to be your magical wand for building impressive muscle mass.
SOLID
NUTRITION + SUPPLEMENTS = IMPRESSIVE MUSCLE MASS
Once
you implement an effective nutrition program, using bodybuilding
supplements can give you a definite advantage in your muscle
mass routine. Here are 6 bodybuilding supplements for muscle
mass that I recommend you to use:
Whey
Protein Isolate
This is the number one protein many bodybuilders, weightlifters
and fitness enthusiasts are using. Whey protein isolate is a
high-quality fast-digesting protein which builds muscle mass
fast and is optimal for post-workout. Have you noticed after
a grueling workout the muscle breakdown that follows after?
If you don't refuel your muscles after your training, you will
experience muscle catabolism eventually, hence most of your
hard work at the gym will be in vain. This is why it's of critical
importance to have a whey protein isolate shake post-workout.
Taking it immediately is best but you can also have it within
15-30 minutes. 1 scoop is usually enough mixed with water and
dextrose or gatorade powder in a shaker bottle. Dextrose also
known as glucose is a fast-acting simple carbohydrate which
will replenish your depleted muscle glycogen levels and recharge
your energy storage cells.
Optimum
Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard, Double Rich Chocolate, 5
Pound
Glutamine
Glutamine can naturally be found in foods like fish, beans,
beef, poultry, eggs and dairy products and is the most abundant
amino acid in the human body. Glutamine intake from food sources
is usually not enough if you're training intensely, this is
why many people have recourse to glutamine supplements. Glutamine
is not directly responsible for promoting muscle mass and growth
but instead acts as an anti-catabolic agent meaning it prevents
muscle breakdown. Glutamine is available as glutamine peptides
or in free form amino acid ie L-Glutamine and the advantage
is there is no need for it to get broken down and digested because
it's shuttled directly to your bloodstream for instant use by
your muscle cells.
10 grams of L-Glutamine on training days is usually enough.
You can have L-Glutamine pre-workout(5 grams) and post-workout(5
grams) mixed with your whey protein/dextrose shake.
Optimum
Nutrition Glutamine Powder, 1000g
Branched
Chain Amino Acids(BCAAs)
BCAAs are essential amino acids which can also be naturally
obtained from foods but to reach the required daily dosage,
you will need to eat lots of foods. This is why taking a BCAA
supplement is advised for convenience. Isoleucine, Leucine and
Valine are the 3 constituents of BCAAs which are vital for your
muscle mass gaining routine as they stimulate protein synthesis,
enhance muscle recovery, prevent muscle fatigue, soreness, increase
metabolism and boosting testosterone levels as well. BCAAs can
be taken pre-workout, intra-workout and post-workout too.
Optimum
Nutrition Instantized BCAA 5000mg Powder, Unflavored, 345g
Creatine
Creatine is available in meats like beef but to get a mere 5
grams of creatine, you'll need to consume a high amount of beef,
so it's not convenient at times. This is where creatine supplements
come in and are convenient and handy. Creatine is a cell volumizer
and it has the effect of drawing water to your muscle cells
resulting in increased muscle density and more strength. You'll
notice that regular creatine intake will allow you to push more
weights at the gym. Creatine can result in dehydration this
is why it's imperative to drink lots of water.
You can have 5-10 grams of creatine on training days and sometimes
on non training days. 2.5-5 grams pre-workout and 2.5-5 grams
post-workout. Your best buy would be micronized creatine monohydrate
which has the word Creapure or its logo on it because this is
of the highest-quality and grade.
Optimum
Nutrition Creatine Powder, Unflavored, 600g, 114 Servings
Micellar
Casein Protein
Micellar casein is a high-quality slow-digesting protein and
a popular choice for anyone involved in bodybuilding and resistance
training. It's commonly used pre-bed and helps provide a progressive
release of amino acids to muscle cells so that your body stays
anabolic during 7-8 hours of sleep. Not suitable post-workout.
Optimum
Nutrition 100% Casein Protein, Creamy Vanilla, 4 Pound
Fish
Oil
Building muscle mass is not only about protein and carbohydrates.
Your nutrition is not complete without the addition of healthy
fats like fish oil, sardines, olive oil, salmon, flax seeds,
walnuts, almonds etc
Fish oil is gaining immense popularity
due to its umpteen benefits including muscle-building like promoting
optimum muscle growth and recovery.
Nordic
Naturals - Ultimate Omega, 1000 mg, 180 softgels
Using
these bodybuilding supplements for muscle mass will definitely
give you an upper edge in your training and nutrition but consistency
is key for great muscle gains.
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