If bodybuilding is an interest you’re starting to get serious about, you’ve probably wondered if supplements are a good option for you. With so many products on the market to choose from, all promising the ripped physique that you’re working hard to achieve, how can you tell which ones are legitimate and which ones are over the top?

Here are some bodybuilding supplement basics to familiarize yourself with and help you decide if supplements are among the tools you need to achieve your bodybuilding goals.

Supplement or no supplement?

It is a controversial topic for most bodybuilders today. Some hardliners believe that the only way to train is to avoid supplements and instead stick to dietary options that provide desired results naturally. And of course there is that school of bodybuilders who insist that supplements are the only way to burn fat and gain muscle mass quickly.

Once you start entering the competitive ring, you can be sure that your competitors will use whatever substance is legal for that competition. If you decide to avoid the use of bodybuilding supplements, you will continue to compete with bodybuilders who use substances such as creatine, protein, and glutamine. If your goal is simply to get better, bodybuilding supplements can help you reach your preferred physique faster. However, before taking any type of supplement, consult your doctor, as there are side effects and risks involved.

What CAN supplements do?

There are a variety of benefits to be gained from bodybuilding supplements, at least for the most serious bodybuilding enthusiast. Amino acids, the building blocks of muscles, also make up the foundation for protein. A protein supplement stimulates muscle growth, but there are different proteins and different needs. Creatine provides extra energy to muscles, improving power in your workouts.

During muscle growth, glutamine is used to enhance muscle recovery. With the multitude of supplements available, you will do yourself a great service to learn everything you can about the benefits of each one to find the best product for your needs.

What supplements can’t do

Bodybuilding supplements can help you reach your fitness goal, but they are only a small part of the process. Supplements will increase the effectiveness of your workouts, but they will not replace them. Serious and successful weightlifters live on a low-fat, high-protein diet to achieve a strong and strong body. Bodybuilding supplements only speed up the process; you must strive to achieve the best results.