Muscle Building Supplements

Muscle Building Supplements is part of the series, How to Build Muscle for Skinny Guys

I used to think that muscle building supplements weren’t that important for building muscle. I thought that they might help a little but overall, they’re not worth the price. Honestly, I still think that is true for most of the supplements out there. However, I have recently discovered that there are valuable muscle building supplements that can help us out in the journey of building muscle.

There are two types of supplements that I think are highly valuable for anyone who wants to workout and see great results. These muscle building supplements are pre-workout drinks and whey protein. Beyond those two, there are a few valuable supplements and then a bunch of crappy ones. First, I’ll go over the two that I recommend and then I’ll go over a few that are not a bad idea.

Pre Workout Drinks

Pre Workout drinks are something that I have only used for a short while but I have experienced a lot of success with them. They have given me the edge I need ever since I increased the number of workouts I perform in a week. Pre Workout drinks have also allowed me to train at a high intensity for a longer duration in each workout. My cardio and strength training workouts have both benefited.

As far as choosing a pre workout drink, I don’t think that the most expensive products are necessary. There are a lot of good ones out there. I recommend going with something like Optimum Nutrition or a similar brand. One of my favorite pre workout drinks is actually the Pre Workout Igniter from the Marked line of supplements. Marked is Mark Wahlberg’s line of supplements that hasn’t done so well, but I think that’s due to pricing and the fact that it’s so hard to break into the supplement industry. The Pre Workout Igniter worked really well for me, and was a part of my success in gaining 10 lbs of muscle.

If you decide not to go with a pre workout drink, I can respect that. I went without taking them for almost a decade and still saw great results. However, like I mentioned earlier, since taking them I’ve been able to work harder and last longer in my workouts. Pre Workout drinks usually contain some source of caffeine as well as a blend of amino acids. These amino acids are really important for the muscle building process.

Whey Protein

Whey Protein comes from milk and it is especially good to consume within an hour before and after working out. It’s more important to use it after the workout then it is before. This is because, after a workout the muscles need protein in order to repair the damage that has been done. Whey Protein is a good choice because it is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. When combined with simple carbohydrates, whey protein is the perfect post workout meal. A good rule of thumb is to take about 20-30 grams of protein and 40 to 60 grams of carbohydrates.

There are a lot of great whey protein supplements out there. Just like the pre workout, I like Optimum Nutrition and Marked for my whey protein. That’s not to say that others aren’t good as well. I don’t think that you have to spend a ton of money on whey protein. Finding an affordable and good quality product is easy. Just look for deals at your local stores.

Of course, you don’t absolutely need a whey protein supplement. Drinking milk can also be good for a post workout meal. Results will come if you do the right type of workout and eat healthy. However the results can be better with the right type of supplements. Whey Protein is a very valuable supplement that can help you with your goals.

Other Supplements

Other supplements that deserve mentioning are multivitamins, amino acids and casein protein. Taking multivitamins and amino acids can help fill in any gaps left by the modern diet. A lot of the protein in our foods aren’t as high of quality as they used to be. For some, results can be much better with the aid of multivitamins and amino acids. Having said that, I don’t take amino acids on a regular basis, and I don’t think it’s necessary to take them unless you have a particular deficiency. I do however take a multivitamin.

Casein Protein is really good because it is a slow digesting protein. It is the opposite of whey and it’s purpose is to rebuild the body and fuel the muscles over several hours. A really good way to utilize casein protein is by taking it a few hours before, or right before bedtime. As you sleep, the casein protein will slowly distribute throughout your body allowing it to heal and grow stronger.