First of all, let's completely brush past the notion that supplements are exclusively for bodybuilders, powerlifters and other gym-goers. If you exercise at all, or take part in any sport, then there are supplements that will definitely benefit your performance, your recovery and much more.
Instead of listing individual sports and reeling off an endless list of supplements... I thought it would be wise to try to categorise some aspects of various sports, which may be shared by many, and suggest some supplements relevant to that particular aspect, so you can see how these products can help you in your sport.
Endurance:
We'll start with endurance because it's probably the most common aspect of most sports.
Pre-Workout
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Pre Workouts cover a broad spectrum of ingredients. They're not just caffeine-crazy powders designed to send you to another dimension, there are plenty which are specifically designed to increase your muscular, cardiovascular and mental endurance. There are also non-stimulant pre-workouts if you are exclusively looking for these benefits without the caffeine.
Carbohydrates
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Carbohydrates are a fantastic source of readily available energy. They come in numerous forms, gels, powders, bars, liquids... They're great to use during activity to keep your energy levels up.
Creatine
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Creatine monohydrate, or just “creatine,” is popular both as a single-ingredient powder and as an ingredient in pre- and post-workout formulas. Creatine allows training at a higher intensity for longer periods of time.
Focus:
Lots of sports require extreme focus, which can be difficult if you're tired or if you have a lot on your mind.
Nootropics
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Nootropics are essentially pre-workouts for your mind. They help you to focus on specific activities for long periods. They can also be used for work and other chores as well as sports!
Recovery:
If your sport is in any way physical, and even if you aren't completely aware, you definitely need to recover from physical activity.
Whey Protein
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By taking Whey protein before and after exercise, the quick-release amino acids are likely to repair and build muscle and tendon tissue quicker and more efficiently, enabling more frequent training. With frequent workouts, hydrolysed whey protein helps to reduce muscle recovery times from days to hours.
L-Glutamine
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L-glutamine is an amino acid (the building blocks of protein) that plays a major role in helping your muscles repair after a hard workout. Supplementing with L-glutamine after strength-based exercise significantly reduces delayed-onset muscle soreness.
Amino Acids
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During exercise, when our glycogen stores are low, our bodies rely on leucine, isoleucine, and valine for fuel. So, post-exercise, we need to restore those used amino acids.
Vitamins & Minerals
- Vitamins are all substances which are not naturally found in the human body, but they are essential for health and proper bodily function. You can not expect to recover properly with insufficient vitamin content in your daily diet. I would recommend a good multivitamin for any athlete, to ensure they're getting plenty. Most good multivitamins also contain an array of minerals which are also fantastic for your health.
Injury Prevention:
This goes without saying... none of use want to get injured. There are plenty of supplements available to help you tackle this.
Fish oils
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Fish oils contain omega-3 fatty acids which are known to reduce inflammation in the body and improve hypertriglyceridemia.
Glucosamine
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Glucosamine, like chondroitin, is a natural compound found in healthy cartilage, particularly in the fluid around the joints.
If you need any help choosing supplements for your specific sport, do not shy away, be sure to ask a member of the staff at Powerbody, who would happily guide you to the right choice for your sport, or to combat any issues you're facing in your training.
