Creating your First Supplement Stack: For Him

Creating your First Supplement Stack: For Him

Alright Supzilla Nation, are you looking for the best supplement stack for your first foray into nutritional and fitness supplements? For the guys out there looking to see some amazing results, we’ve put together a beginner stack to get you started.

When choosing supplements, it’s best to go with products that are backed by proper science and research. We only carry the best brands on the market, all of whom offer top of the line nutritional products that have stood up to rigorous testing.

Folks that are new to fitness often cling to supplements as a shortcut, but keep in mind that supplements are intended to be supplemental. Training and nutrition should be the primary focus to meet your goals with healthy nutritional and training supplements deployed to help push you that extra mile toward results.  As long as you’ve got a solid plan for training and diet, we’ve got the perfect supplement stack to help you reach your goals.

 

SUPPLEMENTS FOR BEGINNERS

PROTEIN

When people talk about supplements for fitness training, they’re mainly talking about protein. It’s the king, and for good reason. Protein is a key supplement to add to your supplement stack, as it’s the primary building block for generating healthy new muscle tissue after you’ve broken it down in the gym. Protein comes in a variety of forms and flavors, based on either whey or soy, and generally produces the following results;

  • Filling in the protein macronutrients missing from the average diet

  • Refueling your muscles with the building blocks for increased size and strength

  • Aiding in fat loss as the body converts protein nutrients into muscle fibers

When choosing a protein supplement there are many options to consider. Whey protein is rapidly digested and can help repair your body quicker. Another protein option is casein, this type of protein is slow digesting and makes for a good snack or meal replacement because it will keep you full longer. Research shows drinking protein before exercising is more beneficial than afterward. Consider drinking a fast digesting protein before your workout. Although protein is great if you’re on the go and need a quick food source, it should not replace all of your protein sources from food.

Supzilla offers a wide variety of protein products as well as our “by the scoop” model, allowing you to come grab a scoop of your favorite flavor as you need it.

GREENS

If you’re like most people, your diet is sorely lacking in quality fruits and vegetables, which means you’re missing out on key vitamins that are essential to health and recovery. A greens supplement is a great way to fill in the gap for any missing nutrients. It won’t replace fruits and vegetables in your diet but if you’re not getting enough, green supplements can help.

FISH OILS

Fish oil is one of the most universal super-supplements on the market.  Fish oils have many health and wellness benefits including an anti-inflammatory effect that can replace your need for pain relief. Fish oil can help with cardiovascular health, arthritis, skin problems, and joint pain by giving your body an extra dose of Omega 3 fatty acids.  Studies have shown fish oil to help with weight loss, fertility, pregnancy, increasing energy levels, and improved memory and cognitive function. You will want to find a quality fish oil with a combination of EPA and DHA. Our supplement associates at Supzilla will help your find the right product for you.

CARB SUPPLEMENTS

A fast digesting simple carbohydrate source can be consumed before, during, and/or directly after your exercise and helps with protein synthesis by replacing glycogen stores that were used during your workout. Taking a carbohydrate supplement before and after working out will help build muscle, restore energy, and help with a faster recovery. There are carbohydrate powders and supplement drinks available for those training who need carbs to restore energy and build muscle mass. 

 

Obviously our Supzilla stores carry a whole range of supplementation products designed to achieve performance results inside and outside of the gym, however this list gives the guys out there a place to start.

These supplements will help you get more out of your training program, including increased energy, better recovery, muscle strength and growth, and improvements in overall health. Supplements can help improve all the effort you are putting into your health and wellness by giving you that added edge.

Stop into any of our Supzilla stores and ask one of our associates to help you create a supplement stack to crush your goals and fuel your transformation!

Come get a scoop!

 

Maximizing Your Pre-Workout

Maximizing Your Pre-Workout

Pre-Workout supplements are all the rage and have become a staple part of the supplement stack for many fitness enthusiasts. That’s because they work! Pre-Workouts are easy to integrate into your daily nutrition and can have a tremendous impact on your energy levels during and after your workout. Although taking a pre-workout supplement prior to working out seems easy enough, some people miss out on all that pre-workouts have to offer.  To ensure you are getting the most out of your pre-workout supplementation, be sure to mind the following key strategies;

 

Proper Timing

Many people drink their pre-workout as they are walking into the gym or locker room. A majority of the ingredients in pre-workout supplements take 30 to 60 minutes to reach the bloodstream. If you’re taking your pre-workout once you’ve arrived at the gym, you won't even feel it’s effects until around your third exercise.

If you are worried that taking your pre-workout too early will cause you to lose your energy half way through your workout, place that concern aside. The base ingredients of a pre-workout mix are always stimulants of some sort, which take around 3-5 hours for your body to lose even half of the concentration in your blood. This is why many brands of pre-workouts don’t recommend taking it if you plan on sleeping within 4 hours.

 

Pairing your Supplement

If you’re not careful, pre-workouts can give you the same feeling you get when you drink coffee on an empty stomach: feeling faint, shaky, or nauseated. Many pre-workouts contain 200-300 mg of caffeine, which hits you pretty hard if you’re not ready for it. Eating a small meal or snack 30 minutes to an hour prior to taking your pre-workout can lessen these negative effects. Not to mention it will help you with energy throughout your workout. Aim for a meal low in fiber to avoid losing the potency of your pre-workout. You will want to steer clear of whole grains, raw fruit, nuts and seeds, and uncooked veggies.
 

Missing Ingredients

There are so many great pre-workouts on the market but not all are created equal. Some pre-workouts are packed with fillers or are under dosed, meaning they don’t have enough of a key ingredient to get maximum effects. You will want to look for these basic ingredients when choosing a pre-workout:

Caffeine: This will give you the real boost you need to get through your workout and make it through those hard reps.

Citrulline Malate: On top of boosted performance and increased energy, it helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to your muscles.

Creatine Monohydrate: Helps boost muscle mass and increase strength.

Following these key pre-workout steps will help you maximize your pre-workout supplement and take your training to the next level.

 

We carry a variety of pre-workout supplement brands in our various Supzilla stores and we would be happy to help find the right product for your goals!  

Come get a scoop!