Many of you have heard of protein shakes and pre workout but do you know the reason behind taking supplements when you work out? Supplements are commonly used by bodybuilders, weightlifters, mixed martial arts, and athletes for the hopes of increased energy, muscle mass, and even faster recovery times. There are a lot of different supplements on the market that do different things.

Protein for example is one of the most important supplements you can take while you are working out and trying to gain muscle. It is crucial to take in at least 20-25 grams of protein within 30 minutes after a workout so your muscles can be refueled and begin to repair and grow. Protein is a key factor in our whole body so it is important to make sure your diet includes enough protein. Once I started to incorporate higher amounts of protein in my diet I started to see a difference in my muscle size and the energy I’ve been having in the gym.

Another supplement that is used by a lot of athletes is amino acids. BCAA’s can be found in a lot of your everyday foods and provide us with a lot of different benefits. The Amino Acid Leucine can actually stimulate our body to increase protein synthesis which helps us build muscle faster. After a hard workout we often wake up the next day feeling really sore. This is called DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) which can last up to 72 hours after exercise. Several studies have been shown that BCAA’s can help with muscle soreness and decrease creatine kinase levels that cause the muscle to be sore.

Overall there are a lot of different supplements out there that can help you in different ways such as creatine, pre workout, ect. It is important to make sure you research what you are taking because supplements are good for you when used in the right ways. I have personally added a few supplements to my workout routine and have found a lot of benefits when taking them such as strength gains and quicker recovery times.