When you’re trying to bulk up, eating more protein will only get you so far. There are other nutrients that are just as essential to the muscle-building process. Unfortunately, even the perfect bulking diet may not be able to provide you with all the nutrients you need. That’s where nutritional supplements come into play.
With these four supplements, you’ll be able to maximize your gains. Just remember: Supplements alone won’t work. By incorporating these supplements in a healthy lifestyle plan that includes proper diet and regular exercise, the sky’s the limit.
1) Creatine Monohydrate: Creatine is arguably one of the most popular mass-building supplements on the market, second only to protein. Why? Because it’s easy to use and has been shown to produce outstanding results. Creatine provides your muscles with extra energy to help you push harder at the gym. This specific type of energy is useful for anaerobic exercise like weight-training. By allowing you to pump out extra reps or an extra set, you’ll see muscle growth faster.
2) Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): Research has shown that this omega-6 fatty acid can help foster muscle growth when combined with a strength-training program. You already get some of this nutrient through your diet; it’s found in nuts and lean meats. The amount of CLA in these foods is minuscule, however. To really notice a difference in muscle growth, consider a pharmaceutical-grade CLA supplement for men.
3) Post-Workout Supplement: An often overlooked part of the muscle-building process is muscle recovery. A lot of us guys fail to give our bodies enough rest. Instead, we head back into the gym before we’re ready and risk injuring ourselves and inhibiting muscle growth. To help your body recover quickly, you need to include a post-workout supplement into your regimen. This supplement, which combines protein, carbs and other critical recovery nutrients, will get you back into the gym sooner by accelerating muscle repair and helping you bulk up.
4) Anabolic Muscle Activator: Amino acids are the building blocks of muscle. Without them, you can’t make any gains. While small amounts of every amino acid are found in protein, you probably aren’t getting enough if you follow the typical American diet that’s high in carbs and processed foods. To solve this nutritional gap, look no further than an anabolic activator. This muscle-building powerhouse contains concentrated amounts of all the amino acids you need to start turning heads.