With all the hype surrounding the world of muscle building and bodybuilding these days, it can be quite confusing to try and figure out what works and what doesn’t. It seems like every day there’s a new supplements fad that is created. The obvious reason for this is that supplements make money. Why do bodybuilding supplements do so well? The unfortunate answer is that most people would rather look for a magic bullet than to take the time and dedication necessary to achieve their goals.
Having said that, there are some supplements worth looking at. The first of course is protein. This is not even so much a supplement as it is a core part of your diet. As you lift weights, your body will need large amounts of protein to rebuild your muscles bigger and stronger than they were before. The reason we can count it as a supplement, though, is that most people would have a hard time eating all of their protein from solid foods. For this reason, it is recommended to supplement your diet with protein powders in the form of shakes.
Creatine is one of the only supplements that I would recommend besides protein. The reason that creatine can be so helpful in building muscle is the way that it provides energy during your workouts. Because it recharges ATP (the main energy molecule in our bodies), it allows you to work out longer and thus stimulate your muscles more intensely. However, you should only consider this and similar products when you have mastered the basics of weightlifting and chosen good foods to gain weight. When these fundamentals are in order, then supplements like creatine can give you a slight edge as you progress in your program.
Ultimately, the real lesson here is that supplements should not form the core of your muscle building program. While a few supplements can be useful for advanced trainers, you need to have a solid strength training and meal program to even consider spending your money on supplements. The basics will always be gradually increasing your weights in the gym and getting enough calories and protein. Many of the popular supplement fads are unnecessary. You may not want to hear it, but skipping the basics and looking for shortcuts will leave you broke and disappointed.
