WHAT ARE THE BEST SUPPLEMENTS TO TAKE FOR BODYBUILDING?

The supplements market can seem daunting and complex if you have only just started getting into fitness. Questions over which protein powders are best and why? Which supplements should you take for bodybuilding to get the most benefit? Which supplements are going to make you grow the most muscle or help you recover the fastest?

Firstly, it is important to note that no supplementation can or should be used to replace a good, healthy and balanced diet consisting of whole foods. Supplements are exactly that… supplements. They are there to supplement your diet, not to replace it. Your primary way to lose weight, recover and grow new muscle will always come from a diet consisting of a healthy balance between protein, fats and carbohydrates. However, it is often optimal to supplement this diet with additional macronutrients, such as protein, to ensure that you’re getting enough to maximise your training results.

Whey protein has long been a staple in the fitness industry. It is a cheap and reliable source of protein that is easily absorbed by the body. At Stack House, we sell a brand of whey protein from a company called Scitec Nutrition. We use Scitec because, apart from a fantastic range of flavours, their protein is of the highest quality and features additional digestive enzymes to help prevent the bloating that can often occur from the cheaper and lower quality brands.

Whey Isolate is another product that we recommend as it is a slightly more refined version and is even lower in carbs than standard whey. This product is great for people who are in bodybuilding or physique competition prep, or for those who are in the latter stages of a weight loss plan and looking to save on every gram of carbs that they can.

Amino acids are a product that you can buy per scoop to put in your water or buy a whole tub over the counter with us. Amino acids are what the body breaks protein down in to. Boosting your intake of amino acids can help with recovery and help boost your immune system.

Creatine is one of the most researched and well documented supplements on the market. Creatine is a compound that the body naturally produces, but good quality supplementation of which is both extremely safe and can have brilliant effects on the body. By storing and drawing water into the muscle, creatine makes your muscles look fuller and gives them a very desirable shape. It also has a big impact on your strength by allowing the muscle to produce more energy. Creatine can be purchased by the scoop or by the tub over the counter at Stack House Gym.

There are many other supplements on the market, but these supplements are the key ones to encourage muscle and strength growth while allowing you to continue to lose fat if that is your goal. Why not speak to one of the staff or one of our personal trainers about which supplements would suite you and your goals?