Are you looking to push your workouts a little further? Do you want to make sure you’re getting the best results possible? Perhaps you’ve recently hit a plateau and are now looking for a way to break free of it. These are just some of the many reasons you may be looking at workout supplements, which can enhance not just the way you work out but also how you feel and your results. To help you make sense of the many products available, here are five things you need to know when choosing workout supplements.
Identify Your Goals Before Purchasing Supplements
Because there are so many workout supplements on the market, choosing the right one(s) can feel pretty confusing. This is why it’s smart to identify your goals before making a purchase. What do you hope to achieve with the supplements? What gap do you need it to fill, or what are the main benefits you need? Some people may take supplements to give them a boost of energy, enhance endurance, improve physical performance, gain more muscle or even increase their strength.
Once you determine your goals, you’ll be able to narrow down the options. It also means you’re more likely to be happy with the supplement since it is geared to your needs.
Understand the Difference Between Pre and Post Workout Supplements
Did you know there are pre and post-workout supplements and they vary in ingredients and purpose? The best one for you will depend on what your goals are. A pre-workout supplement is built to give you a quick burst of energy so that your workout can last longer and be more intense. A post-workout supplement is meant to help with building muscle and help speed up the recovery process so that you don’t need as much downtime or rest. You may even want to use both.
Always Read the Label – Be Aware of the Ingredients
It’s also very important to get into the habit of reading the label on the supplements you’re considering. Many end up being blends which means they have other ingredients in them besides the main one you’re looking for. Understanding what the ingredients are in pre-workouts and post-workout supplements takes some time and research, but that will help you to pick the ideal products.
Some of the more common ingredients you’ll find in workout supplements can include:
- Caffeine
- Acetyl L-Carnitine
- Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAA)
- Taurine
- Beta-Alanine
Stick to the Instructions When It Comes to Dosing
Whether you’re new to workout supplements or not, it’s important to stick to the instructions when it comes to dosing. If this is the first time using a pre or post-workout supplement, you may even want to ease yourself into it to ensure you don’t get any side effects and that your body has time to adjust.
In terms of pre-workout supplements, you’ll also need to take them a specified amount of time before you do your workout so that they have a chance to work. Generally speaking, they are taken 30 to 60 minutes before you work out.
Choose a Product That’s Been Around for a While
The final tip is to choose a supplement that has built a strong and positive reputation in the market. This means it’s been around a while, you can find reviews on it, and it’s ideally been third-party tested.
All of these tips will help you learn about the various supplements, the ingredients and what they do. This means you’ll be able to find something that suits your needs and understand how to use it correctly.
