If you open any of today’s fitness magazines, you will likely see more pages dedicated to advertising the latest supplements than anything else. In today’s bodybuilding culture supplements are a staple in just about every bodybuilder’s diet. Americans spend more and more money each year on supplements and we even have entire stores dedicated to carrying nothing but the latest pills and powders that claim to offer benefits to our external appearance and internal well being.
The sad truth is that advertisements for supplements exaggerate the benefits of using the supplement while listing the supposed benefits next to a photo of a crazy ripped man or woman. What they don’t tell you is that the reason the models in the photos look the way they do is either from taking dangerous steroids or following a disciplined anabolic diet. While most supplements fail to live up to their promises, there are a few that have been adequately studied and are worth using by today’s bodybuilders.
Creatine Monohydrate
Creatine monohydrate is a substance that can be found in many meats and certain other foods. It was discovered that this compound, when taken in regular high doses, would leave to muscle cells having a larger volume and also enable the muscles in the body to store more energy, which benefits endurance and intensity during weight training. Creatine monohydrate is probably the most extensively studied supplement on the market today and does provide benefits that are worth investing in.
Whey Protein
Whey protein is the most popular supplement in any health and fitness store. While it can be argued that whey protein is less nutritional that getting protein from more natural food sources, whey protein is a very convenient way to provide your body with the high volumes of protein it needs to build muscle mass. If you aren’t feeling hungry, or if you simply do not have the time to prepare a meal, whey protein will be your next best option.
Whether you are participating in male bodybuilding or female bodybuilding, creatine monohydrate and whey protein are great supplements to help increase your results. As with any supplement, it is important to understand that supplements should never by relied upon and should only be used as a way to slightly enhance your results. The only way to get significant bodybuilding results is through proper diet and consistent weight training – with or without supplements.