There are many reasons why one would take supplements. It may be due to a vitamin deficiency from certain medical conditions, dietary restrictions, or to help improve athletic performance. One of the popular categories under dietary supplements is workout supplements from brands like Pure Encapsulations at Supplement First, which are usually taken before or after exercising.

Today, there are numerous brands and types of workout supplements available, making it a bit confusing as to which ones you should be taking to improve your performance. To help you out, we narrowed down the different workout supplements you may want to consider taking.

1. Creatine

You might have already heard of creatine, as it’s one of the top workout supplements that sports scientists recommend.

This is naturally found in the body’s muscles and the brain, which can help produce energy for high-intensity exercises like lifting heavy objects and sprinting. Athletes take this supplement to gain muscle and improve their strength. Studies have shown that supplementing increased muscular strength while decreasing muscle damage after one month of resistance training.

2. Leucine

Leucine is one of the three types of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) used to fuel skeletal muscles while exercising. Its function is to build and repair muscles, as well as help maintain muscle in older adults. Studies show that leucine supplements help improve lean muscle mass and decrease body fat.

Like creatine, it’s one of the common sports supplements that experts recommend taking. Athletes and bodybuilders who need to build strength would use this supplement, as it activates a specific pathway in your muscle to activate growth and repair. While you can find leucine in supplement form from brands like Designs for Health, you can also find it in food like meat, poultry, eggs, fish, and milk.

3. Protein

You’ve probably heard of and considered taking protein supplements in the form of protein powder. This is because protein holds numerous nutritional benefits, especially when it comes to muscle growth and repair. It’s also beneficial for appetite control in those who are trying to lose or maintain weight.

While many people get enough protein from their diet, those who want to build even more muscle and help with its recovery may want to consider increasing their protein intake further.

4. Caffeine

Caffeine supplements or your daily cup of coffee does more than wake you up in the morning. It may also help in boosting your exercise performance. It’s a very popular workout aid for a reason, with three of four athletes consuming caffeine before or during sports competitions.

Caffeine is said to help with workout performance because it can preserve muscle glycogen or positively interact with our nervous system. That said, be wary of how much caffeine you consume, as it can cause severe side effects like headaches, dizziness, increased heart rate, or insomnia. It can even be fatal if you take over 10,000 mg in one dose.

Wrapping It Up

Make sure that you speak with your doctor before taking any of these workout supplements.