Guide to the Best
Weight Lifting Supplements
This page explains which weight lifting supplements you should take to get the most out of your diet and training. I list the most effective supplements and describe how they can help to optimize your results.
Find the right supplements for your goals. Look at reviews for the best health, performance-enhancing, weight loss, weight gain, and muscle building supplements.
I also tell you how to avoid the multitude of ineffective and overpriced products that deliver nothing but empty promises. Hopefully, this page will help give you the know-how needed to get results without falling prey to scams or putting a dent in your wallet.
This weight lifting supplement guide is based on science and experience – I have used all of the products that I am recommending.
What You Must Know First
Amplify Your Results. Weight lifting supplements are very effective tools for accelerating progress. They can bring you to the next level of results and performance faster than you could with just diet, hard work, and rest. However, choosing the right supplements is difficult, especially if you’re new to the fitness scene.
Buyer Beware. The supplement industry is saturated with many misleading products that have shiny labels and false claims. Even worse, and more often than not, the levels of each ingredient listed in the "proprietary blends" are unable to be measured and are often severely watered down.
Don't Pay for the Placebo Effect!... Be wary of products with a lot of hype and extreme claims. They are not worth the price. Many people waste money on useless supplements, and then report improved gains because they had high expectations and subconsciously worked harder or ate better. That's the placebo effect at its darnedest.
- ...Unless... If for some reason you want to experience placebo gains, I recommend clicking the Donate Button (in the left-hand column) and I'll personally cast Arnold's Anabolic Voo-Doo Spell on you, passed down from generations of lifters with guaranteed results! ;D
Before You Consider Buying...
Use This Checklist. Supplements only give you an advantage if everything else is on point. Too often, gym-goers see supplements as a way to make up for poor performance in their diet, training, or rest. Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. Use the checklist below before even considering any weight lifting supplements:
- Diet. Make sure you are eating enough (or not too many) calories and protein. This includes having a pre-workout and post-workout meal for performance and recovery.
- Routine. You should have already made some noticeable progress in strength and size. If you've stalled, modify your routine or just try a new one.
- Rest. Rest is the only time you grow. Sleeping at least 7-8 hours per night is necessary for good results. In addition, be sure you have enough recovery time between workouts.
- Money. Be sure that your money is going towards quality food (and basic supplements: multi-vitamin, vitamin D, fish oil) before supplements.
If that's all taken care of, then supplements are a great investment for an added boost to your progress! The rest of this guide teaches you which products are the smartest investments.
Top Supplement Reviews
Supplement Starter Kit. The base supplements that should be the foundation of any successful weight lifting supplement stack. They regulate normal health and body functioning. If you're not running at full capacity, then other supplements are rendered less effective. I should note that these are my only recommended products for complete beginners.
- Multi-Vitamins and Minerals. This is the first supplement I recommend to anyone I know, weight lifter or not. The obscene number of health benefits makes it a no-brainer for anyone, especially the serious lifter. I find it particularly helpful for staving off illness and making up for those times I "forget" to eat my veggies.
- Omega-3 Fish Oils. Who knew fish fat would be so good for you? Improved performance and superior body and mind functioning are just the beginning of fish oil's benefits. I feel like I'm slightly more on top of things when taking fish oils vs. not. However, the health benefits are most important to me.
- Vitamin D. Also known as the sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D is unique in that your body can produce it when exposed to UV rays. It's critical for a strong and healthy body, and is actually considered a steroid hormone! However, according to recent research, you are likely deficient and need a lot more than you're getting.
(Natural) Performance Enhancing Products. The next level up from the foundational supps. These are the supplements that get all the glory – and rightfully so. They provide that extra edge needed to truly maximize your potential and realize the full benefits of all your hard work.
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Whey Protein. The most efficient and convenient supp for muscle
building and repair. Just one scoop packs 20+ grams of protein, making your
daily protein needs a whole lot easier to achieve. And I can't tell you how
many times it saved me when rushing to class – two scoops in my shaker,
mixed with carbs, and I'm out the door.
- This whey protein side effects article explains who should take precautions before using a whey supplement. It also sets the record straight on side effects by debunking the most common protein myths.
- Creatine Monohydrate. A naturally occurring amino acid that produces undeniable results. Hands down, it is the best weight lifting supplement for delivering quick, profound strength and muscle building results. I always notice a measurable jump in strength within the first couple weeks after starting a creatine "cycle."
- Caffeine Pills. Nothing like a strong cup of coffee squeezed into a tiny pill to get you amped for a balls-to-the-walls workout. Caffeine is super cheap and better than many expensive pre-workout supplements (cheaper than coffee, too). I love taking caffeine before a workout because I "zone in" and experience an intense focus on the lifts – no distractions.
Recovery and Sleep Aids. Remember that the only time you build muscle mass is during rest while recovering from intense workouts. You can optimize your sleep and recovery with one of the following weight lifting supplements.
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Melatonin. This naturally occurring hormone helps you sleep better,
although more will not make you go to sleep quicker. But once you do fall
asleep, it is usually deeper and with fewer interruptions. When I take it, I sleep
better and wake up rejuvenated the next morning, but only when I know I can
get 7-8 hours of sleep (to avoid drowsiness).
- The Melatonin Dosage Guide shows you how to find your most effective dosage for optimal results.
More Reviews Soon!
Check Back Later. Be sure to bookmark this page and come back later because I will continue to add more weight lifting supplement reviews. I hope this guide has helped you find some great weight training and bodybuilding supplements that won’t break your budget and force you to file for bankruptcy. Nobody should have to spend hundreds of dollars to look good and be strong!
