Getting in shape and getting that beach body you’ve always wanted isn’t as easy as just working out consistently. Having a great diet is very important for getting in shape.
Sometimes, it makes sense to supplement your diet as well, and in this post, you’ll learn about 7 great workout supplements.
Hitting the gym, eating a balanced diet, and getting in shape are great habits to practice to lead a healthy life.
Maybe you want a little more from your life, and want to be very healthy and attain your dream body.
Part of becoming the master of your life is being physically and mentally healthy. By putting beneficial foods and supplements into your body, this can lead to feeling better over time.
While it is possible to attain an amazing physique with natural food, sometimes our bodies need a little boost from other healthy sources.
For me, for example, I don’t always eat enough protein during a day, and when I’m working out, I feel the need to replenish my muscles with a protein shake or protein bar.
Over the past few years, I’ve been experimenting with different workout supplements and believe I’ve found 7 workout supplements which are best for me.
Maybe they won’t be best for you, but by learning, experimenting, and seeing what works for you, you can work towards your dream body.
In this post, I’m going to share with you the 7 workout supplements I use to supplement my diet, and talk about the uses and benefits of each.
Let’s get into the article!
7 Workout Supplements to Take for Your Dream Body
Below is a list of the 7 workout supplements I personally use and think are great to become more healthy and reach your physical fitness goals.
I’m not a doctor – some of these may not be for you. Please check with your doctor to make sure these different products are suitable for your use.
The 7 workout supplements I use and believe are great for helping you get healthy are:
Let’s dive into each of these workout supplements in greater detail below.
1. Whey Protein
Protein is the building block of muscle, and is essential to have if you are looking to get stronger over time.
Whey protein is one of the most common workout supplements as it contains all 9 essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein). Essential amino acids must be obtained from food, whereas non-essential amino acids can be created internally.
For working out, building muscle, and having a healthy diet, having a lot of protein can possibly help you reach your goals faster.
I try to get at least 100 grams of protein a day, and on most days, I’ll get upwards of 150 grams (also, for reference, I weigh about 165 pounds – as of writing this).
Depending on your goals and bodyweight, you’ll want to research and figure out how much protein you need.
To supplement my workouts and overall health, I use whey protein powder once a day. Some people will have multiple protein shakes a day, but for me, I try to only have 1 “non-real” protein based “meal” a day for my stomach’s sake.
2. Creatine HCL
Creatine is one of the most cost effective and powerful workout supplements. Our bodies naturally have creatine running through them, but with a creatine supplement, you can get extra energy and muscle stimulation.
The one downside about creatine is there are no FDA approved supplements on the market.
That being said, I’ve used creatine on and off for the past few years and never had any issues (but I have had cramping a few times – you need to drink a lot of water with it – and have been careful if I ever had an upset stomach).
Make sure to do your own research and due diligence on these different supplements before using them.
While there is a lot of controversy on using creatine, again, it is a naturally occurring compound and one of the most commonly used supplements.
When buying creatine, I’ve been able to get 45 days worth of supplement for only $14.
With creatine, you get massive bang for your buck, and can see some good results, both in body composition and performance.
3. Pine Pollen
Pine pollen is one of my favorite supplements. This naturally occurring super food has many benefits and nutrients.
I was turned on to pine pollen by a friend because he mentioned pine pollen provides a natural testosterone boost.
In addition to this, there are many nutrients, anti-oxidants, minerals and amino acids which can provide you a nice boost for your workout and general well-being.
Pine pollen is available both in powder and tincture. I’ve tried both the powder and tincture, and recommend the tincture (the powder tastes like tree…)
For me, I cycle through a 4 oz bottle of Pine Pollen every few months. Over time, your body builds up a resistance to pine pollen. For this reason, I don’t take pine pollen all the time.
However, when I do take pine pollen, I love it and definitely would recommend giving it a try (but be aware it is a natural supplement, and not necessarily “regulated” as some other vitamins and supplements).
4. Bee Pollen
Bee pollen is another super food I take as a health supplement. Similar to pine pollen, bee pollen is a naturally occurring substance which has many enzymes, nutrients, minerals and amino acids.
In addition to being a super food packed with nutrients, there are some other benefits of having bee pollen.
One unexpected benefit I’ve found is how bee pollen contains some protein, and also can help with allergies.
Most Spring seasons, I’m hit with bad allergies. However this year (this is anecdotal), I didn’t get hit at all by allergies, and I’m wondering if it had to do with the bee pollen.
I typically take my bee pollen straight, or mix it in with a yogurt or fruit smoothie.
Again, this is a naturally occurring substance, and falls more into the “hippy” and “organic” supplement camp (though that doesn’t negate or lessen effects of bee pollen).
5. Fish Oil
Fish oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential nutrients that are important in preventing and managing heart disease.
Much of our food is Omega-6 fatty acid based (from corn), and Omega-3 balances this out.
Since our diets do not include fish that much, that’s where fish oil comes in.
Taking fish oil over time has shown to be beneficial for a person’s heart. As you probably know, a healthy heart can allow you to perform exercise at a higher level!
I take fish oil for prevention of any heart issues, and for some of the other proven benefits of these fatty acids.
6. BCAAs
BCAAs are another workout supplement I take to supplement my exercises. BCAAs stands for Branched-chain amino acids.
Branched-chain amino acids are a group of three essential amino acids: leucine, isoleucine and valine.
While you can get these amino acids from your whey protein and other protein sources, it sometimes can be helpful to get them directly.
BCAA supplements can help you with muscle performance, prevent muscle fatigue, and help stimulate growth.
I usually take my BCAA supplement before I work out, and I have definitely felt a slight difference in how I’m able to move throughout my workout.
7. Beta-Alanine
Beta-alanine is a non-essential amino acid. Our bodies use beta-alanine to create the amino acid carnosine, an amino acid which regulates the build up of acid in our muscles.
Beta-alanine helps your muscles perform and promotes muscle endurance and power.
Beware though! If you have too much of a dose of beta-alanine, you’ll get the tingles! (something which has happened to me a few too many times!)
Get Your Dream Body with These Amazing Supplements!
No matter if your dream body is a 6 pack, being able to walk 5 miles straight, swim a mile, or just feel more confident, you can become healthier with the right diet and supplementation.
Hopefully this article has provided you with some new information and resources for your health.
Depending on your health goals, maybe it makes sense to try one of the supplements above and see how you feel with it.
We only have one life and one body – with the proper diet, you are capable of doing anything.
While workout and diet supplements won’t get you your dream body alone, with consistent good eating habits and exercise, you can see the results you want and deserve.
Thank you for reading!
Readers: what supplements do you use to get your dream body and be healthy? Are there any supplements you’d recommend I check out?
