Pre workout drinks, protein powders, and energy drinks.
When it comes to getting the next extra bit out of your workout, you've tried everything.
Everything, except intra workout supplements.
Oh, you haven't heard of these before?
If you're trying to take your workout to a new level, then intra workout supplements (supplements you take while you workout) should be your next move. When combined with a pre workout supplement, the results can be astounding, and we've got all the reasons below.
Of course, be sure to first consult your doctor before making any changes to your regular routine.
Taking a Look Inside
It can be hard to figure out what is truth and what is marketing, especially in the healthcare industry.
Supplements fall under the category of alternative medicine. They have stated benefits that have been more or less evaluated to be true.
But because most aren't FDA approved, you need to know what to look for on the label when you shop.
Many people seek out supplements when they are looking to lose weight, or gain it. They will give your body some of the extra nutrients it may be lacking from any diet changes you might have made.
There are formulas you can take that should help to prevent your muscles from being damaged from strain while your body is in a weakened state.
The first category of intra workout supplements is BCAAs. These are amino acid compounds that will enter your body and begin to aid it in protein synthesis.
Leucine, found in most intra workout beverages on the market, is the most common form of BCAA. It helps cut fatigue and improve immune system functioning by reducing the amount of muscle damage your body endures when exercising.
So When Should I Use Intra Workout Supplements?
Some of the best times to use intra workout supplements are when you are attempting fasted training, upping your cardio routine, or trying to bulk up quickly.
Fasted Training
About six hours after your last meal, your body will enter a “fasting state.” This is when you have finished the digestive process and consumed all the nutrients from your food.
The fasting state is a great time to train if you are looking to burn fat quickly because it will begin burning fat stores instantly. But be cautioned, your muscles will also be breaking down at a much faster pace.
Working in the right supplements can aid your fat burn and ease the strain on your muscles.
Cardio
For those of you cardio buffs out there, intraworkout supplements can help boost your endurance to new heights.
BCAAs are especially recommended for those who enjoy high activity workouts because they are known to heighten energy levels.
Bulking Up
If you are trying to add mass the right supplement is critical. You should find a product that has BCAAs like previously mentioned, along with some dextrose to nourish your depleted cells.
BCAAs aid in protein synthesis which allows your muscles to rebuild quickly in between workouts.
Top 10 Best Intra Workout Supplements
After reading all about their composition, you should now have an idea of what you will be looking for in the formula you select. Here are the rankings of the top five intra workout supplements on the market, in each category.
Cutting Weight
MRM Natural Reload Nutritional Supplement
The value you get with this all-natural product can't be beaten. It contains glutamine, leucine, and a high concentration of BCAAs that work to minimize soreness, allowing you to last longer at the gym.
Beyond the typical antioxidants, this product has its own secret formula of amino acids and B6 to allow your body to absorb more of the supplement.
Purple Wraath by Controlled Labs
This product is recommended for fasted training because of its ability to optimize your body's fat loss and give you the most muscular gains. It should give you a boost of energy, while simultaneously helping you focus so you can get the most out of every exercise.
Ingredients found in this borderline pre-workout include beta alanine, citrulline malate, betaine anhydrous, and of course BCAAs.
Best BCAA by BPI Sports
BPI Sports is a well-known brand that makes a variety of workout supplements. This supplement contains many BCAA peptides as well as a fair dose of agmatine.
Agmatine is shown to reduce pain levels and increase the rate at which your muscles absorb glucose.
IFORCE Compete
IFORCE Compete has an amino blend, protein blend, and many additional vitamins meant to give your body an extra boost of energy.
It's great for longer workouts to improve focus for enhanced performance, and it helps your body rehydrate which helps your muscles stay healthy.
BSN Amino X Endurance & Recovery Agent
This blend has many amino acids including leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Combined, they act to promote the synthesis of proteins.
It's been shown to help with insulin sensitivity caused by weight loss.
Gaining Tone
Gaspari Size-On
This hybrid of whey creatine has been perfected over many years of sale. Over that time, it has evolved to have a decent amount of calories, creatine, and protein to help your body recover.
VPX Fast 5
Although the name may imply to some that it is targeted for weight loss, this classic supplement has been helping people bulk up since the nineties.
It contains PeptoPro Casein Protein Hydrolysates and BCAAs to give your muscles the fuel they need to ignite your gym routine.
Bulk Supplements Pure L – Leucine Powder
This supplement focuses on the amino acid leucine, a BCAA.
Its purpose is to promote quick muscle repair after an intense workout.
PRIMAFORCE Citrulline Malate 200 Grams
If you're looking for the new guy on the scene, it would be citrulline malate. This performance enhancer was tested and developed to give you a difference in strength that you can notice.
AIIMAX NUtrition Aminocore
A BCAA based product, it has solidly researched ingredients and a better taste than most intra workout supplements on the market.
Taking the Next Step
If you have been working hard in the gym, but can't seem to get the results you desire, choosing the right nutrients may help. There are a lot of options on the market targeted for different body times and work out routines.
If you want to make the right decision on your next supplement, get a close look at our review pages, where you will find the information you need to make the right decision.