Are workout supplements actually beneficial? | Exercise.com Learn: Your Fitness Business Resource

Are workout supplements actually beneficial?

Tyler Spraul is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist. He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life. He has been featured in Shape, Healthline, HuffPost, Women's...

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UPDATED: Aug 25, 2020

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  • Workout supplements can be beneficial for the exercise part of your routine, but they may not be advantageous for everyone.
  • With all of the workout supplements available today, it can be overwhelming to try to determine which supplements accomplish what tasks. Before you start taking any supplement, you need to first determine what you are trying to achieve.
  • Not every supplement will have the same effect on every person.

The best way to get into shape is through diet and exercise.

Workout supplements can be beneficial for the exercise part of your routine, but they may not be advantageous for everyone.

There are many different workout supplements on the market and they each claim their own set of benefits.

Some workout supplements do the same things while others provide you with a different health benefit.

Since workout supplements can also have side effects, it is important to research any workout supplement before you take it.

You need to consider its benefits and weigh that against any possible side effects.

A doctor can help you determine if workout supplements are right for you.

Remember that supplements are not enough to live a healthy lifestyle. Exercise is also important. Go PRO today for access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, and more.

What Kinds of Workout Supplements Are There?

With all of the workout supplements available today, it can be overwhelming to try to determine which supplements accomplish what tasks. Before you start taking any supplement, you need to first determine what you are trying to achieve.

There are workout supplements that can be beneficial for a number of different reasons. If you are looking to gain more energy or use your fuel more efficiently, 5-Hour Energy is one such workout supplement. If you are looking to build muscle, The Muscle Milk is another supplement. Repairing your muscles post-workout can be aided with yet a different supplement.

Some workout supplements are safe to take in conjunction with each other. However, just like with prescription medications, supplements can have negative interactions with each other as well as with other drugs. That is why you should first determine your goals before you decide what to take to supplement your workout.

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Are All Workout Supplements Beneficial?

All workout supplements claim to be beneficial for some people. Not every supplement will have the same effect on every person. Most supplements are herbal or natural, so the reactions people have to them, both positive and adverse, can vary greatly.

The main reason people workout is to build muscle and get a stronger and healthier body. In these instances, protein supplements may be useful for building muscle and repairing muscle as well.

In addition to protein supplements, carbohydrate supplements can help your workout both before and afterward. Carbs are used to maximize energy efficiency as well as to help spike insulin for muscle repair.

Another popular workout supplement is creatine. Creatine can help deliver energy to your muscles, which may provide you with a better workout. It also may help your muscles recover sooner post-workout.

However, even though many workout supplements are accepted and used by amateurs and professionals alike, they may not be as beneficial as you would like. There is no substitution for good nutrition and working out regularly. The supplements may provide an aid for some people but they can also pose dangers, as described below.

Are Workout Supplements Dangerous?

All workout supplements come with the risk of side effects and adverse interactions. However, even if you do not have any medical condition preventing you from taking a workout supplement, even if you do not have any other drugs that you are taking, even if you do not have any allergic reaction or side effects from taking a workout supplement, you can endanger yourself with workout supplements.

If you eat well-balanced meals you should get all of the nutrition you need. By taking workout supplements you may be getting too much of something and your body may not be able to compensate for it.

Even with a nutritionally sound diet, you should never over-eat from any particular food group. That includes veggies and fruit! So, if you get a well-balanced meal and then you take workout supplements that contain even more protein, amino acids, or other elements, your body may not be able to process all of it.

For example, ioo much protein overworks the kidneys. If you are eating a high protein diet, drinking protein shakes, and taking protein supplements, your body will not be able to process all of the protein.

The toxic ketones present in a high protein diet causes your kidneys to work overtime. Initially, you may experience dehydration as a result of this, but if this continues to occur your kidneys can shut down and simply cease functioning. If you are interested in fortifying your diet with workout supplements consult with your physician for recommendations.

Once you find the right supplement for your needs, make sure you’re staying on track by going PRO today for access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, goal trackers, and more!

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