Physical Fitness Supplements: What Really Works and What Doesn’t
There are literally thousands of supplements and marketing ploys saturating the physical fitness industry. The trick is knowing which ones are actually beneficial and which ones are spouting false claims. Supplements can be highly beneficial to general health, muscle recovery and injury prevention if used properly and responsibly. Here are just a few of the supplements I recommend to my customers and continually endorse to those looking for the benefits they bring.
Multivitamin
Multivitamins should be taken by everyone, especially those that partake in a regular fitness routine. During a heavy workout, the body looses vital vitamins and minerals it needs for muscle recovery as well as the ability to remove foreign toxins. By taking a daily multivitamin, these lost nutrients are replaced making the body better able to recover from a workout as well as fight off unwanted infections.
Protein Powder
It is unfortunate that many people discourage the use of protein powder as they claim it resembles steroids and other chemical enhancements. This claim could not be further from the truth. A protein powder supplement can be highly beneficial before a workout as it promotes quality calorie intake as well as a reduction in fat accumulation.
Quite simply, protein powder is nothing more than powdered or dehydrated chicken. It is utilized for convenience when time does not allow for a full meal. However, it MUST be utilized in conjunction with a proper diet. If this is adhered to, recovery rate is increased, immune system receives a boost and success in your fitness goals are realized.
Using Creatine
Creatine remains the most controversial and misunderstood OTC supplement today. The general claims are liver and kidney failure, rage and testicular atrophy. Despite these claims and false beliefs, creatine still remains the most researched, studied and developed sports supplement to ever be discovered.
Ignore what you may have heard, besides slight water retention, creatine proves to have no other side effects associated with short or long term use, and further consists of completely natural ingredients. The benefits of creatine are many, with the most noticeable surrounding the decrease of lactic acid (the chemical causing “the burn associated with lifting weights), and a heavy decrease in recovery time.
Creatine Monohydrate is recommended at 5 grams daily. This can be absorbed into the muscles more quickly by mixing it with a cup of grape juice or other sugar based fruit juice. Creatine is generally available at local grocery and nutrition stores.
Supplements provide many benefits when used properly. When used in conjunction with a proper diet, your fitness goals can become much more obtainable. There are several other supplements that provide different benefits, however the three listed are the best to begin with before considering additional ones.
Levi Herbert is a keen fitness enthusiast who loves to write and share his experience about Physical Fitness Training Tips and Flexibility Fitness Routine on Clivir.com.

