Welcome to Muscle Fitness

Know your supplements

There is an almost ridiculous amount of supplements available on the market today for the serious, and even the not so serious,bodybuilder. Open almost any magazine and you will find adverts for a wide variety of different supplement brands and an even bigger choice of different supplements.

Visit any pharmacy and you will be spoilt for choice.It can take an inordinate amount of time to research and wade through the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to looking for what you want in terms of supplements to enhance your workout and performance.

It can also be quite difficult to sift through all the available information to find the products which really do work and to discard those which don’t.

Below we’ll take a look at a few options, listed in order of importance and relevance that can assist you in reaching your bodybuilding goals.

Whey Protein
Whey protein is a fast digesting protein and is a necessity for pre- and post-workout nutrition. It is rich in Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) leucine, isoleucine, and valine, and is a fast-acting muscle booster that will help you stay ahead in terms of muscle repair and growth.

When choosing a whey protein product make sure that it is low in carbs and fat, as these slow digestion down a bit. After a good workout you want the protein to rapidly enter the muscles, not be hampered by slow digestion.

Creatine
Creatine is promoted worldwide as one of the most effective supplements ever created. Plenty of research has been conducted and thousands of athletes across all sporting disciplines swear by its effectiveness, with obvious and fast-acting results.

As it gets converted into creatine phosphate in the muscles, which produces energy for contractions during training, supplementing with creatine can ensure that levels of it are topped off. Plus, creatine will force more water into the muscle cells creating an anabolic environment increasing protein synthesis. For strength and size there are few supplements to beat it.

Casien Protein
This protein is a slow-digesting protein for the times when you need a longer-lasting supply of amino acids in your bloodstream. It serves as a convenient meal replacement for those times when a protein shake will do. The steady flow of nutrients will allow your body to keep feeding, supplying those muscles with what they need.


Zinc, Magnesium and Antioxidants (vitamins C and E)
These are all essential to the body when you are completing intense training sessions, even though they are not traditionally recognised as bodybuilding supplements. The body produces free radicals which circulate and can cause damage. The antioxidants combat free radicals and the vitamins and minerals strengthen the immune system, for a fast recovery.

Maltodextrin
Maltodextrins are easily digestible carbs made from natural corn starch which is cooked and the starch the broken down by acid and/ or enzymes. Maltodextrin is a great carb addition to a whey or protein shake. This is a great way to get some serious calories into your diet without the added sugar.

Vitargo
Perfect for your post-workout shake, vitargo is a sugar-free carb that can produce the same insulin spike after training, without the unwanted effects of sugar. Combined with creatine and whey protein, vitargo is a great way to add carbs while staying on a low sugar diet.

Carnosine
Carnosine allows muscle to contract more forcefully and for longer periods of time. It also delays fatigue so you can work harder for longer at the gym.

Tribulus Terrestris
A vine plant that people around the world have used to promote overall health, support healthy libido function and increase muscle tone. Athletes make use of it to boost energy levels, to promote healthy hormone function, and to support athletic training.