The Final Piece of the #GetBig Puzzle
September 7, 2022 | Words by Gabe Yanez
If You Don’t Snooze, You’ll Lose
Before we get to the meat and potatoes of this post, remember that a new cycle just started for NCMETCON and NCFLEX. Don’t wait — download the NCFIT App to #GetBig today!
If you’ve missed any of the previous #GetBig write-ups in this series, you can catch them here:
We’re covering supplements last for our #GetBig series because that’s where they fit in terms of priorities. Supplements can help, but your training, nutrition, and sleep should all be in place before you start worrying about what products to buy.
That said, let’s dive into the best supplements to take if you’re trying to #GetBig.
Your #GetBig Supplement List
Assuming that your training, nutrition, and sleep are all taken care of and that your body is primed for some muscle gain, what supplements can you take to support your goals?
You would think this is a simple question, but unfortunately, the supplement space has become very noisy and tough to navigate. What products are worth the investment and which are just empty promises wrapped in good marketing?
Nowadays, you can find everything from desiccated organ supplements to birthday cake-flavored protein powders, so we boiled down our supplement recommendations to THREE supplements you should consider taking to #GetBig:
1. Protein Powder
Let’s start by making one thing very clear: You don’t need to get your protein from a supplement to put on muscle. When it comes to nutrient density, quality whole food sources like meat, poultry, eggs, and even some nuts are all great protein sources that beat out any powder. However, it can be challenging for some people to hit their protein requirements with whole foods alone. A quality whey protein can be a potent tool to facilitate protein synthesis post-workout and kickstart the recovery process before you can sit down for a whole-foods-based post-workout meal.
Pro Tip — When shopping for a protein powder, the fewer ingredients, the better. Also, look for a protein powder with at least 2,000 mg of leucine per serving, as this amino acid is essential in kickstarting muscle protein synthesis after a workout.
2. Creatine
Creatine is the most studied supplement on the market and has been proven safe and effective at promoting strength and muscle building in both men and women.
Pro Tip — Creatine monohydrate is what you’re looking for here. Don’t fall for the fancy marketing pushing proprietary blends.
3. Magnesium
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t build muscle in the gym. You build muscle at night as you sleep following a tough training session. If you aren’t catching those quality Z's, you aren’t going to #GetBig. Magnesium is a great supplement to help you get the sleep your body needs.
Pro Tip — Look for magnesium glycinate or magnesium theanate when shopping for this sleep-aiding mineral. These forms of magnesium are more easily absorbed by your body, giving you more bang for your buck.
One Thing to Try This Week
Before you start adding products to your supplement cart, make sure you plan what your training will look like for the next couple of months.
If you want to get strong and #GetBig, having a thought-out training plan will be essential.
Luckily, we have two brand new cycles starting on the NCFIT App. Download the app, buy your protein, and let’s #GetBig over the next two months!
