We could bore you with a lecture on the relative merits of dairy vs plant, or whether you really need to take creatine (spoiler: you don’t – but maybe you should). However, if you’re reading this, chances are you already have an idea of what you like. You just want to know you’re buying from the best place.
Easier said than done, of course: sports nutrition is now a billion-dollar industry, with protein bars and fortified drinks as likely to be spotted on office desks as in athletes’ kitbags.
So, where to start? We canvassed the MH staff and our wider fitness circle to compile a list of the products we rate. Our team scanned the backs of the packs to eliminate any supps with sub-standard ingredients, then field-tested our shortlist in the gym and on the road. Nutritional nitpicking has its place, but flavour, texture and mixability count for a lot, particularly when it’s something you’re taking every day. These are our winners.
Spotlight on… Creatine
What is it? Of all the purported muscle-boosters, creatine might have the strongest scientific backing. Taking extra creatine in supp form (the compound is found naturally in meat and fish) speeds up the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a source of energy. It’s proven to increase your power output, with additional links to mental focus – so you won’t forget what you walked over to the squat rack for.
Should I try it? It costs roughly £4.50 per 100g, so if you’re serious about your training, it’s a worthwhile investment. Creatine is sometimes taken with a ‘loading phase’ (about 20g per day for five days), but this isn’t strictly necessary. A maintenance dose is about 0.03-0.05g per kilogram of your body weight.
Spotlight on… Caffeine
What is it? Whether you source it from a pre-workout powder or your trusty double espresso, caffeine is the world’s most popular performance-enhancing drug. Aside from its benefits to alertness, the stimulant has been linked to improved power output in the gym, reduced rate of perceived exertion and even – according to one study in the Journal Of Applied Physiology – increased exercise enjoyment.
Should I try it? If you feel like you could do with a boost, sure. Sensitivity varies, so build up your dose gradually and taper back if you note any side effects (anxiety, insomnia). Try 200mg to 300mg, 30 to 45 minutes before training, then adjust as needed.
Spotlight on… BCAAs
What is it? Branched-chain amino acids – leucine, isoleucine and valine – play a significant role in the regulation of muscle mass. That’s why they frequently crop up in pre-workout powders and energy drinks. Leucine, in particular, is important: it diminishes during exercise, and must be replaced through your diet in order to stimulate protein synthesis (muscle-building).
Should I try it? Possibly not. If you’re already hitting your daily protein targets – which you should be, as a matter of priority – then adding extra BCAAs to your diet won’t do much to affect your strength or growth.
Spotlight on… Beta-alanine
What is it? You might see this listed on the label of your pre-workout. It’s an amino acid that’s used to make a molecule called carnosine. This accumulates in your muscles and buffers the ‘burn’ you feel during high-intensity exercise.
Should I try it? If you’re doing regular high-intensity work, then beta-alanine might make a difference, but it’s unlikely to be a game-changer. Evidence suggests a daily dose of 4g to 6g is safe for most people. One common side effect: nerve tingles or ‘paraesthesia’. This isn’t harmful, but can feel a bit weird at first.
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