There's actually a range of the types of fitness supplements available to you as well as the more basic nutritional supplements you may be more familiar with. Each has their own place and can be used as a nutritional aid for a range of health and exercise benefits.
Whether you are trying to bulk up, lose weight, enhance your energy or simply just want to feel fit and healthy there are fitness supplements out there for you. Whatever your goal, a supplement can provide nutritional support for you to achieve this.
When many people think of fitness supplements they immediately associate them with body building. Although body building supplements are very popular and make up a large proportion of the market, they are not the only type. You can get supplements for general health and well being, as well as sporting and aesthetic purposes. Here we try to break down the different types of supplements to make it a little easier for you to understand.
Muscle Building
These cover a broad range of products aimed at maximising muscle growth, increasing strength and promoting optimal health. Some of the most popular body building supplements include, protein, amino acids, creatine, glutamine, growth hormones and testosterone boosters but there are many others available.
Weight Loss
These supplements have become increasingly popular for those wishing to lose weight and those who need to keep their weight down for competition. Weight loss supplements aim at increasing the metabolic rate of the body to burn extra calories. Typical weight loss supplements include thermogenic fat burners, fat blockers, carb blockers and appetite suppressants.
Weight Gainers
are particularly popular amongst athletes who need to bulk up for their sport or hard gainers who find it difficult to gain any weight. They usually consist of a blend of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and essential vitamins and minerals to help you add extra calories to your diet. They usually come in powdered form but are also found in ready to go bars.
Meal replacements
are a low-calorie, high protein supplement aimed at replacing a meal for those looking to maintain or lose weight. They contain the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals the body needs to function are generally low in carbohydrate and fat.
Energy and Recovery
Aimed at those who are looking for an energy boost and athletes who are constantly depleting their energy stores during training and competition. Energy enhancing products usually contain all the essential nutrients for optimal health and stimulants such as caffeine to improve mental alertness.
Vitamins and Minerals
These supplements are designed to support your daily diet for optimal health and well being. Vitamins and minerals are vital for the body to function correctly and poor dietary habits or continuous bouts of heavy training can lead to deficiencies which supplementation can help avoid.
