Why should you take supplements if you want to keep fit? How can you add supplements to your diet to help with your gym workouts, exercise plan and other fitness activities? How do you choose the right supplements for your fitness regime? Let’s take a look at how you can improve performance and results by simply taking the right supplement at the right time.
Why should you take sports supplements if you are trying to keep fit?
Whether you’ve been doing it forever or just for a week, there are many reasons that could have pushed you to do that first squat, grip that barbell, and train regularly, at home, outdoors or in the gym. Getting into shape, relieving stress, toning your muscles, whatever your reasons, as soon as you enter the world of fitness everyone envisages a goal to work towards. By using supplements along your journey can help you reach your goals faster and get you in a better shape.
What are your fitness goals?
Before you embark on a training plan and start using sports supplements you need to ask yourself: what are my goals?
- Lose weight
- Build up muscle mass
- Improve muscle performance
- Improve joint mobility
- Increase resistance
Which sports supplements can help you reach these goals?
In general, sports supplements improve performance during your workout as they supply nutrients that are lost during periods of physical exertion. Each supplement has been formulated to provide the right nutrients in the right quantities, depending on the exercise you do.
Types of fitness supplements
> PROTEIN-based supplements
Particularly useful for anyone who practices fitness, protein-based supplements are functional for both pre and post-workout. They support training by ensuring endurance and work in the recovery phase by helping muscle development. They are especially recommended after strength and power training.
Protein supplement example: Star Whey ISOLATE 100%
> AMINO ACID-based supplements
Amino acids can be thought of as already digested proteins that work directly in the muscle without straining the digestive system. They provide rapidly absorbed energy before training and after the intense and prolonged effort, they support the maintenance of muscle mass.
Example of supplement based on amino acids: AMINO(16)PRO AJINOMOTO
> CREATINE-based supplements
Creatine plays a particularly effective role in building muscle mass and significantly increases performance in the case of repetitive, high intensity and short duration activities such as bodybuilding.
Example of creatine supplement: CREAFAST®
> MINERAL SALT-based supplement
Mineral salts play a fundamental role before and during training for the ability to rehydrate and provide energy to the body, especially during intense and prolonged aerobic efforts.
Example of supplement based on mineral salts: HydraFit>
> CARBOHYDRATE-based supplements
Carbohydrate-based fitness supplements are useful before and during training as an energy supplement, especially in high-intensity endurance sports. They guarantee support in terms of energy, concentration and endurance.
Esempio di supplement a base di carboidrati: Total Energy Carbo Gel>
> CAFFEINE-based supplement
Caffeine-based supplements perform a stimulating action. Thanks to their ability to boost energy levels quickly, they are useful for the final sprint in endurance sports but also to stimulate greater fat burning and support weight loss diet programmes.
Example of a caffeine supplement: Thermik
> VITAMIN-based supplements
In general, vitamin-based fitness supplements help to counteract tiredness and fatigue during physical exertion and contribute to the athlete’s general well-being.
Example of a vitamin-based supplement: Vitamin C Blend of 4 Sources
Many fitness goals often go hand in hand, follow closely in sequence, or are part of a long-term sporting ambition. Whatever your goal, it is important to maintain good general physical and mental wellbeing. In order to achieve your goal quickly you must be committed to your training regime and follow it correctly; and that means adding supplements to your regular diet to meet your body’s nutritional needs.
