Although summer may soon be drawing to a close for many of us, that doesn’t mean we should use this as an excuse to skip workouts, binge eats on junk food, and allow our bodies to become fatter, weaker, and unhealthier as a result. A lot of people use the cooler fall and winter months as an excuse to stuff their faces full of unhealthy junk food because they figure that as they wear more layers, the less of their body will be on display, so who really cares?
In reality, however, getting in shape most certainly doesn’t happen overnight, and it is about much more than trying to look good in a tank top during the summer. You should train all year round, and watch your diet for the most part, if you wish to burn fat and build muscle, and sadly, that does mean you will need to get off your butt during the winter and hit the gym as hard as ever.
Just think though, whilst everybody else is at home, lounging around on the sofa, eating junk and watching TV, you’ll be in the gym, improving your physique and getting yourself in shape so that whilst everybody else may look worse, you’ll be looking better. As well as exercising regularly and eating a selection of healthy and nutritionally balanced foods, you should also think about supplements to really take your body to the next level.
A carefully selected supplement stack could be the difference between mediocrity and supremacy, which is why we’ll be taking a look at four supplements designed to provide you with the ultimate fat burning, muscle building stack.
DHEA Bodybuilding Supplements
DHEA bodybuilding supplements are currently more popular than ever before, as experts have recently discovered just how beneficial they really can be. DHEA is actually a form of naturally occurring adrenal steroid found internally within our own bodies. This hormone is made and secreted by the adrenal glands, the same glands responsible for producing and releasing adrenaline.
Once produced, it is then converted to androgens and various other hormones, which have been found to help promote lean muscle growth and recovery. On top of that, these same hormones also regulate mineral and fat metabolism, so the more we produce, the more fat we metabolize as a result. DHEA bodybuilding supplements, therefore, are ideal as they promote fat loss, along with lean muscle growth and repair. DHEA supplements are especially beneficial for individuals aged 30 or above, as once we reach this age bracket, natural DHEA levels begin to decline more and more with each passing year.
Tribulus Terrestris
Tribulus Terrestris is actually a natural herbal ingredient native mainly to Asia, although it is also found in parts of Africa as well. This plant-based ingredient is now a key part of many people’s supplement stack as it has been proven to naturally increase the amount of testosterone our bodies are able to produce naturally. Testosterone is the dominant sex hormone in males, responsible for muscle size, muscle growth, athletic performance, muscle repair, metabolic function, libido, fertility, muscle definition, and much more besides. Put simply, the more testosterone a person has in their bodies, the bigger, stronger, leaner, and more athletic they will become. As Tribulus Terrestris is a proven natural testosterone booster, it is considered a key part of any fat loss, muscle building stacks.
Pre-workout Supplements
We all have days where we’re tired, lethargic, unmotivated, uninspired, and basically cannot be bothered to lift a finger, never mind heading to the gym and lift weights. Well, that’s where pre-workout supplements come into the mix. Pre-workout supplements are packed full of natural stimulants, including zinc, caffeine, and taurine, to help improve not only physical energy levels but mental energy levels as well. Best, when taken on an empty stomach to assist with absorption, a pre-workout taken 30 – 40 minutes before your workout will give you huge increases in energy levels, which will then allow you to push yourself harder in the gym.
They’re also often packed full of Nitric Oxide, which acts as a vasodilator, widening the blood vessels and improving circulation. This means that more oxygen and nutrients are transported to your muscles, so they can work harder and for longer before they begin to falter due to the side effects of fatigue. As a good bonus, they also improve muscle pumps and vascularity, so you will look better during and after you lift.
Whey Protein Powder
Whey protein powder is the number one best-selling supplement in the entire world, and it’s easy to understand why. Protein is vital for protein synthesis, as well as muscle function, growth, and repair. As if that wasn’t all, it is also integral for cellular health and function, which means without it, our cells simply would not function. Whey protein is ideal as it is packed full of amino acids and minerals, plus it is a fast-digesting, rapidly absorbing protein so that it gets to the cells in your muscles almost instantly, as soon as you’ve downed your proteins hake, or eaten your protein pancakes.