Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)
For a strength athlete or bodybuilder, we see no reason to skip BCAAs during a workout. By BCAAs, we refer to leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Leucine is the most vital of them all, as it can stimulate muscle protein on its own—BCAAs speed up the recovery process after a challenging workout. One important thing to consider is that BCAAs taste very bitter and don’t mix well with water. That is why some producers add artificial sweeteners and several dissolving agents to them. Make sure not to buy a product with artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium (ace-K).
How do we recommend taking it?
You can take 5 to 10 grams of BCAAs with your breakfast and with pre and post work out shakes. It is best to look for a product that provides a 2:1 ratio of leucine to isoleucine and valine.
Nitric Oxide or NO Boosters
Nitric oxide is involved in multiple purposes and is found in our bodies. People like no boosters because it dilates the blood vessels and ensures proper blood flow to the muscles for adequate oxygen delivery, so you have more energy during the workout. No boosters also help in speedy recovery after a workout session. In reality, no booster has nitric oxide in them; instead, they have amino acid arginine that gets converted into nitric oxide in the body. Many products claim they have none, but actually, they have a mix of ingredients that may not be safe to consume. We advise you to buy a good brand and be careful about what you’re buying.
How do we recommend taking it?
You can take a dose in the morning before having breakfast, 40 to 60 minutes before workout and immediately after exercise, and 30 to 60 minutes before you go to bed.
Glutamine
The amino acid has been a preferred choice of many bodybuilders for a long time. Glutamine provides several bodybuilding benefits like increasing leucine in muscle fibers, promoting muscle growth, reducing muscle breakdown, and bolsters the immune system. If taken before a workout, it can boost hormone levels and reduce fatigue during the training.
Glutamine also reduces muscle soreness and improves recovery after an intense workout session. However, some studies doubt its effectiveness, and there’s no proven fact to support that it’s useful.
How do we recommend taking it?
You can take 5 to 10 grams of glutamine with your breakfast, with your pre-workout and post-workout shakes.
Our Final Words
These are the six best supplements that really work and are best for muscle gain and strength. Along with supplements, it’s crucial to eat a filling diet that gives you enough calories and protein to gain muscles. We advise you to get familiar with your workout and diet plan and then move forward with supplements.
