Fitness enthusiasts have a number of bodybuilding supplements in their arsenal that can be used to sustain muscle growth and keep you ripped for longer.
These supplements are proven to give you an edge over the competition, support weight loss and nurture muscle gain. We’ve compiled them into a list of our ten most popular, so you can invest in realistic and rewarding bodybuilding essentials.
Protein
Protein is made up of amino acids, and they are broken down into two types: essential and non-essential. Essential amino acids are not produced naturally by the body. Therefore, we need to ingest them from protein-rich food or bodybuilding supplements. The two most popular protein supplements are Whey and Casein. Whey protein quickly increases blood amino acids, and therefore quickly aids protein synthesis, casein does so slowly and for longer. Casein results in a longer period of heightened blood amino acids. Using a protein powder can help you retain as much muscle mass as possible and allow you to keep your metabolic rate high.
BCAAs
There are 20 different amino acids that make up the thousands of different proteins in the human body. Nine of the 20 are considered essential amino acids, meaning they cannot be made by your body and must be obtained through your diet. Of the nine essential amino acids, three are the branched-chain amino acids. Branched-chain amino acids are the combination of L-leucine, L-isoleucine and L-valine. They work to reduce recovery times and combat the muscle breakdown and loss of mass that often comes with dieting.
Creatine
While one of the most scrutinised bodybuilding supplements in this list, creatine is also one of the more effective. A fuel source for ATP, the chemical responsible for providing energy to our cells, creatine enables the body to perform high-intensity workouts – garnering greater muscle size as a result.
Creatine monohydrate is widely used by athletes looking to improve physical performance.
Omega 3, 6 and 9
It’s common knowledge that fish oil is good for you. It provides your diet with acids that aren’t produced naturally and improves heart function. They offer major health benefits to anyone who takes them (let alone bodybuilders). Pharma Fitness’ Omega 3, 6 and 9 bodybuilding supplements will keep your fatty acids balanced – helping with vital processes within the body and aiding against the prevention of hardened blood vessels.
Beta-alanine
A non-essential amino acid, beta-alanine can be made by the body naturally. However, a supplement is used to improve athletic performance and exercise capacity, converting to other chemicals to support muscle regeneration. Beta-alanine has been shown to enhance muscular endurance. Many people report being able to perform one or two additional reps in the gym when training in sets of 8–15 repetitions. Beta-alanine supplementation can also improve moderate- to high-intensity cardiovascular exercise performance, like rowing or sprinting.
When beta-alanine is ingested, it turns into the molecule carnosine. Carnosine is stored in cells and released in response to drops in pH. Increased stores of carnosine can protect against diet-induced drops in pH (which might occur from ketone production in ketosis), as well as offer protection from lactic acid production.
Large doses of beta-alanine may cause a tingling feeling called paresthesia. It is a harmless side effect. Beta-alanine is found in our advanced pre-workout powder. These powders are developed to provide a boost in power, strength and concentration. With the help of beta-alanine, you can power through the toughest training sessions.
L-glutamine
L-glutamine is a tool that prevents muscle breakdown and creates an increase in protein synthesis, proven to regenerate wasting tissue in times of disease or physical trauma. It is very effective for intestinal and immune system health too.
Pharma Fitness’ L-glutamine supplements act as a cell volumiser, increasing the uptake of vital nutrients needed to promote and enhance muscle recovery.
Green tea
If you are looking to lose some weight and introduce a safe bodybuilding supplement to achieve a desired physique, green tea is ideal. The drink has been popular in Asia for generations, commonly used after meals to help with digestion.
Green tea has been shown to reduce the likelihood of heart disease and increase your metabolic rate. Tablets that contain the extract, like ours, provide the same benefits as the liquid form and work as a powerful antioxidant.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant that finds itself in various diet pills and healthy lifestyle plans. Frequently touted as a solution to losing weight, caffeine is known to boost your metabolism by helping with the process of releasing fatty acids into the bloodstream. Additionally, it gives your body an energy boost that can help with extensive workout sessions.
Pre-workout powders are loaded with a suitable amount of caffeine that can help concentration and provide you with a greater, more focused power.
Glucosamine
The most popular supplements outside of bodybuilding tend to be those that work to help our joints. Glucosamine is one of the building blocks of cartilage, ligaments and tendons. The majority of foods don’t contain it, and therefore it’s important to sustain your levels throughout training to prevent joint damage and pain.
Our glucosamine sulphate supplements don’t just deliver a high dose of the necessary acid. Instead, our blend is reinforced by the addition of calcium, chondroitin, vitamin C and MSM to protect the body during workouts.
Find your perfect bodybuilding supplement
At Pharma Fitness, we provide all of the above bodybuilding supplements to support your workout. Whatever your training requirements, we are confident that we can present a product that best works for you. We can also provide recommendations of a healthy, tailored routine if you require – all you need to do is speak to one of our pharmacists.
