Best Natural Bodybuilding Supplements Reddit 2024
Best Natural Bodybuilding Supplements Reddit 2023
Natural bodybuilding is a heavily debated topic in the wellness industry. Some athletes claim using supplements — even natural supplements — isn't truly "natural." Others argue that taking natural supplements, like creatine, whey protein, and amino acids, should be classified as natural bodybuilding.
a. What supplements do you use on your daily base?
I use Omega 3, D3+K2, creatine, zinc, magnesium and multivitamine. How about you? And what is your absolutely need to have Supplement as a natty?
a. indrids_coldCreatine & Multi-vitamin
b. 7000RPM
Whey and fish oil
c. HighSierraGuy
Whey isolate and creatine
d. No_Ad_8807
- Concentrated Whey
- Micronized Creatine Powder
- Fish Oil
- Multi-Vitamin
- Ashwagandha
- Skimmed Milk
e. dngrs
- creatine
- vit D ( just for about half a year when there is less sun)
- omega 3 pills
sometimes I take a bit of calcium or magnesium when I feel cramps getting real bad or too common but that's more because I haven't been eating enough
tbh what I think I really need is caffeine and I got some in pill form
f. Francis_Dollar_Hide
- Whey Protein isolate
- Creatine Monohydrate
- L Citrulline
- Fish Oil
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Vit C
Where To Buy Bodybuilding Supplements
- Whey Protein Isolate - Best Whey Protein Supplements
- Multivitamin
- Vitamin C - Vitamin C 101
- Vitamin D3 + K2 - Vitamin D 101
- Ashwagandha
- Creatine Monohydrate
- L Citrulline
- Fish Oil - Fish Oil 101
- Magnesium - Best Magnesium Supplements
- Zinc - Best Zinc Supplements
b. Please tell us what are the supplements you take and why do you take them.
I only take multivitamins and aswagandha (Just for good sleep and mood).
a. Arun4s
Creatine, Protein, Pre workout and EAA for sport supplements and Magnesium, Multi(looking mainly for B vitamins and good form Zinc), D3+K2, Omega 3 for general health. After trying a lot of them throughout the years as most of us stuck with the most researched/needed/I can feel working.
b. jugeLLL
Magnesium, zinc, vitamin D, omegas
Oh yeah and 500mg of test
c. Supplement Thread
Hello everybody,
What I would like to do is build a great thread on all recommended supplements to take when body building. After getting information on the most popular and recommended ones I will make an organized list of them and post them on here.
I will separate them into bulking supplements, cutting supplements, etc.
Please post your knowledge and experience for us. Links to sources would be cool too.
Hopefully, this can become a good reference point for new bodybuilders as well as experienced body builders that need to refresh their mind and re-check their facts.
I hope this gives a good turn out of useful information.
Thank you.
a. st_basterd
I'm new to this, but from what I've gathered by reading this subreddit the past few weeks is:
PWO: 1.M.R / Jack3ed / Craze / But others simply prefer caffeine pills or strong coffee.
PROTEIN: Optimum Nutrition seems to be regarded highly, but only use these supplements to supplement. Try getting as much protein as you can from real foods.
CREATINE MONOHYDRATE: Use it. It's good for you. Not sure which brand is recommended though.
BCAA: Only really need them when you're cutting. Again, not sure which brand.
If I'm an idiot, please let me know fellas. I'd also like to hear from you what works, what doesn't, and what's worth buying.
i. [deleted]
PWO: EAAs are good, no use in taking stims if you don't need them.
Protein: Whatever you want. There are different kinds for different needs (hydrolized whey for intra, whey iso or conc for post, etc.)
Creatine: It doesn't matter which brand
BCAA: More or less, EAAs are generally superior. They are also good if you have a long training session and tend to get hungry in between. I take beef liver tabs and waxy maize during my bigger workouts to keep me going.
---
Hydro whey is what I've heard (from pro trainers) is best intra. As far as EAA, I don't see why they wouldn't provide the same or more synthesis, as they include the BCAAs as well (all BCAAs are EAAs, but not all EAAs are BCAAs).
Most EAAs supplements have less leucine than BCAAs which is the main amino acid for MPS, drinking whey during training offers no benefit compared to just taking it preworkout or having a meal prior with the same amount of protein, if you want MPS benefit and avoid catabolism/muscle breakdown when fasted, BCAAs are a better option, if not any protein preworkout would do.
b. [deleted]
Protein: I don't consider it a supplement, as it is a food source. If you cannot get enough quality protein in from food(eggs, milk, meat) though, Whey is probably the highest quality protein out there in terms of both amino-acid profile and bioavailability, and easy to take in.
Pre-wo: Not necessary, but a quality one can improve performance, which can lead to more gains. Totalis is hands down the best out there, contains optimal doses of Beta-Alanine, Citrulline Malate, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, L-Tyrosine, Norvaline and caffeine. Tier 1 is also solid, though not as well dosed and does not contain Citrulline.
Omega 3: In order to get what is an optimal amount of it(up to 6g EPA+DHA) most people will need to take it in supplement form.
Vitamin D3: The majority of people do not get enough of it, unless you work 12+ hours a day outside in a very sunny place. Very important vitamin. Anywhere from 1,000 IU to 5,000 IU is recommended.
Multi-vitamin: Try to focus on eating plenty of vegetables and use a multi as a safe guard. Definitely take on if you don't eat veggies. I like Source naturals multi, it's a bit pricey though.
Creatine Monohydrate : Probably the most well researched supplement out there. Everyone should take this, 5g a day is more than enough. Timing is irrelevant.
Most of the stuff outside this list is either not important enough to spend money on for most people, or it's complete bullshit and a waste of money for everyone. Examine.com is your friend.
c. Overkill300
Can someone tell me why creatine is beneficial? Not that I don't believe it, I just want to know what its main function is. From what I understand it pumps water into your muscles allowing a better pump and replenishes them. Correct me if I am wrong. I love learning about this kind of stuff.
d. mildlyaverage
http://examine.com/supplements/Creatine/
^ That site is great to learn about any suppliment out there. Maintained by a fellow redditor
e. [deleted]
Most supplements are fine whether cutting or bulking, unless you're talking about fatburners. Here are a few that haven't been mentioned yet:
Multivitamin - big duh. Use whatever fits your wallet
Vitamin D - precursor to testosterone, increases well-being, can help ward off seasonal affective disorder, promotes bone and joint health
Fish oil - joint health
Glucosamine - joint health. You'd be better off making bone broths for the glucosamine and connective tissue content, though.
ZMA or ZMK - highly recommended, gives crazy dreams, very restful sleep, and seems to decrease DOMS. Very cheap, too. Don't take with calcium as it competes with zinc for uptake.
f. elknax
PWO: Amphetamine, Methylphenidate, Ephedra,
PROTEIN: ON Gold Standard
CREATINE MONOHYDRATE
BCAA: Fasting or cutting.
BETA-ALANINE: When working on a period of heavy weight and volume this helps me recover faster.
g. [deleted]
As an alternative: No supplements. Just natural protein,carb and fat sources. Maybe just a good multivitamin. But nothing works better for me than chicken and fish
h. [deleted]
PWO are not needed IMO. You get a massive high, feel strong but the long term effects on the blood is pretty scary. You end up with acidity in the body, too much cortisol which if it's chronic causes muscle wastage. IF you need a pick up, 1g of brown rice per kg of body weight 1.2g of chicken per kg of body weight about 30-45 mins before you enter the gym. And a short black (80 - 100mg) of caffeine.
Protein: Horleys ICE Whey is the best. Uses New Zealand whey from Fonterra, the highest grade dairy in the world. Contains Hydrolysed whey and cation exchange. Has the highest amount of BCAA's per serve and over 7g of glutamine. Seriously, a lot better than anything most people have heard about. Mixes like a Berocca.
Creatine: Monohydrate is good, but Tri-Creatine Malate I find slightly better for one reason. Where the body stores the water. Creatine is very good at combining with water, about 8 parts to 1 part creatine phosphate. CM (creatine mono) stores the water sub dermis, so you end up looking puffy. TCM stores it intra muscular too, so as a pinch test, you'll come up registering as muscle. We all need Creatine Phosphate to contract a muscle. And it's the primary source of energy for explosive muscle contractions. (anything under 8 seconds approx)
BCAAs are important to take whilst training as they're proven to drop cortisol levels dramatically. Having 8g in 300ml of a 4:1:1 ratio'd BCAA if you weigh under 80kg and double if you're over.
Multivitamin and Mineral supps: you can't break down food unless you have the vitamins and minerals to do so. Most underused products, best bang for buck.
Mass gainers are good: Horleys do Awesome Mass which is phenomenal. Glutamine, creatine, complex carbs, protein.
Glutamine is the single most important supplement next to hydrolysed protein. It's the most abundant amino acid IN protein, so skipping just leads to slower recovery.
ZMA is good to use prior to sleep. Magnesium baths are good too. Magnesium is one of the most common deficiencies.
Eat well, and supplement alongside the diet. Don't ever replace stuff with supplements.
d. Best Pre Workout to Buy in 2023
If you are looking for the best pre workout to buy in 2023, then you are in the right place.
In this thread we will make the decision easier for you.
1) Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre Workout - Best Pre Workout Supplement for Men
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout is an exceptional product that delivers consistent energy and stamina for your workouts. It is perfect for those who want to enhance their performance without experiencing the jittery feeling or crashing that comes with some pre-workout formulas. With just one scoop, you'll feel a noticeable difference in your energy levels and the ability to tackle more reps and weights. As an added bonus, the taste is enjoyable when mixed with a chocolate whey protein, making it an easy addition to your pre-workout routine.
The ingredients in Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout are a solid mix of proven substances in adequate quantities, ensuring you get the most out of your workouts. The product dissolves easily in water with just a spoon and minor agitation, making it convenient and hassle-free. The label offers clear dosing information for both one and two scoops, allowing individuals to adjust the dose based on their individual needs.
Pros:
-Increased energy and motivation for gym sessions
-Tasty flavor options
-High-quality ingredients
-Convenient scoop size and dosing options
-Effective desiccant packaging for moisture control
-Good value for money
Cons:
-Occasional dark specks in the powder can be off-putting
2) C4 Original Pre Workout - Best Tasting Pre Workout Supplement
C4 Original is an exceptional pre-workout supplement that has quickly become a favorite among fitness enthusiasts, especially beginners.
The Pink Lemonade flavor stands out, offering a refreshing and delicious taste that sets it apart from other pre-workout options. It has a smooth texture and palatable taste, making it enjoyable and easy to consume before a workout. The energy boost it provides is both effective and timely, kicking in quickly without causing any jitters or discomfort. This makes C4 Original a highly recommended choice for those seeking a tasty and efficient pre-workout supplement.
Not only does the Pink Lemonade flavor of C4 Original taste amazing, but it also avoids the overly sweet taste that is common in many other pre-workout drinks. As a result, you can enjoy the full dose without having to dilute it with excessive amounts of water. The energizing effects of this pre-workout are well-regarded, giving you the motivation to hit the gym without the unwanted tingling sensation that some products may cause.
Pros:
-Trustable brand and good value for the amount
-Pink Lemonade flavor is refreshing and not overly sweet
-Can last longer due to its strong formula
-Effective for improving energy and workout performance
3) NITROSURGE Shred Pre Workout - Best Pre Workout Supplement for Muscle Pump
NITROSURGE Shred is an outstanding pre-workout supplement that delivers impressive pumps, elevating your workout experience to new heights. This potent formula not only provides the much sought-after "pump" feeling but also consistently helps you push through those extra reps during intense lifting sessions.
Its delicious fruit punch flavor adds to the overall enjoyment, making it a pleasure to consume before hitting the gym. Furthermore, NITROSURGE Shred is an excellent value for money, offering top-notch performance without breaking the bank. Its effectiveness and affordability make it a must-try for any fitness enthusiast seeking to maximize their gains.
In addition to providing exceptional pumps, NITROSURGE Shred offers clean and sustained energy, ensuring you can power through your workouts without experiencing any unwanted jitters or crashes. Its unique formulation offers the perfect balance of energy and focus, allowing you to maintain peak performance throughout your entire training session.
This pre-workout supplement stands out among its competitors, offering a superior experience that keeps you coming back for more. With NITROSURGE Shred in your arsenal, you'll be well-equipped to conquer even the most challenging workouts and achieve the results you've always wanted.
Pros:
-Provides impressive pumps and helps with pushing through extra reps
-Offers clean and sustained energy without jitters or crashes
-Unique formulation offers a superior experience
-Affordable and offers good value for money
Cons:
-May cause the need to poop soon after drinking and after workout (rare)
4) 6AM RUN Sprint Pre Workout - Best Pre Workout Supplement for Running
6AM RUN Sprint is designed for runners and cardio enthusiasts. Does not only taste great but also dissolve easily with no powdery residue or chunks.
Specially formulated to provide sustained energy and improved focus, this product allows you to power through your workouts without any unpleasant stomach issues or pumped up legs. It can reduce joint pain and stiffness after their morning runs, making it an essential addition to your daily exercise routine.
Switching to 6AM RUN Sprint is a game-changer for those tired of traditional pre-workouts that leave them feeling jittery and itchy. This formula offers clean, sustained energy without any crashing or uncomfortable side effects, making it perfect for short runs, long runs, weight training, and HIIT workouts alike.
Pros:
-Suitable for short runs, long runs, weight training, and HIIT workouts
-Reduces joint pain and stiffness after morning runs
-Does not cause unpleasant stomach issues or pumped up legs
-Dissolves easily with no powdery residue or chunks
-Delicious flavors
5) Alani Nu Pre Workout
This is the best alani nu pre workout flavor.
Alani Nu is a great fitness supplement brand that delivers not only unique and refreshing flavors, but also provides with unparalleled energy and performance during workouts. One of their standout offerings is the Hawaiian Ice flavor, which stands out from typical pre-workout options with its delicious taste and revitalizing energy boost. It increases energy levels without any adverse side effects, making Alani Nu an ideal choice for individuals with sensitivities to stimulants.
In addition to the highly praised Hawaiian Ice flavor, Alani Nu also offers other delectable options like Rainbow Candy. With a taste reminiscent of a jolly rancher mixed with pink lemonade, this flavor appeals to fitness enthusiasts who enjoy trying new and innovative pre-workout flavors. Alani Nu's pre-workout supplements are designed for individuals who may be sensitive to caffeine, ensuring increased energy without feeling sick or experiencing headaches.
Pros:
-Unique and refreshing flavors
-Increased energy levels
-Suitable for sensitive to stimulants
-High-quality ingredients
6) Beyond Raw LIT Pre Workout - Best GNC Pre Workout Supplement
Beyond Raw LIT is a premium pre-workout supplement that has quickly become a favorite among fitness enthusiasts.
Its delicious gummy worm flavor sets it apart from other pre-workouts on the market, making it not only effective but enjoyable to drink as well. Individuals report an impressive increase in energy, focus, and endurance, allowing them to push through even the most intense workouts. The unique green color that appears when the powder mixes with water adds an exciting visual aspect to this already outstanding product.
With a formula that includes Beta Alanine, Beyond Raw LIT delivers that sought-after tingling sensation that keeps you motivated and moving throughout your entire workout session.
Pros:
-Provides a rush of energy, focus, and endurance during workouts
-Delicious gummy worm flavor
-Unique green color when mixed with water
-Low in carbs (3g per scoop)
-Clean energy without crashing or upsetting stomach
Cons:
-Can be gritty
-May cause a hard crash after heavy output
Where To Buy Bodybuilding Supplements
- Whey Protein Isolate - Best Whey Protein Supplements
- Multivitamin
- Vitamin C - Vitamin C 101
- Vitamin D3 + K2 - Vitamin D 101
- Ashwagandha
- Creatine Monohydrate
- L Citrulline
- Fish Oil - Fish Oil 101
- Magnesium - Best Magnesium Supplements
- Zinc - Best Zinc Supplements
FAQ
1. Banned Substances in Natural Bodybuilding Competitions
The list of banned substances will vary depending upon the competition you enter. There are roughly 200 substances currently banned from WNBF competitions, including:
a. All anabolic steroids
Notable examples are androstenediol, trenbolone, nandrolone (deca-durabolin), mesterolone, boldenone, drostanolone, and stanozolol (Winstrol).
b. Testosterone
Testosterone is banned In almost all forms, including creams, gels, patches, and injections. The testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) ratio is used to measure excess testosterone in the body. If your ratio is higher than six to one (the same ratio used by the NCAA), it's listed as a failed drug test.
c. Growth hormone/Growth Factors/Peptides
Human growth hormone (HGH), , insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), erythropoietin (EPO), and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) are banned, as well as most “designer” peptides.
d. All steroid hormone precursors/prohormones
Hormone precursors and prohormones, including DHEA, a hormone that converts to testosterone in the body, are completely banned.
e. All prescription diuretics
Diuretics help rid the body of salt and water weight. Even if they're doctor-prescribed, they're still banned.
f. Muscle implants
These are all banned.
g. Ephedrine, ephedra, and most stimulants
Caffeine and its derivatives (e.g. theobromine) are fine, but many other stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate are banned. Be sure to check your pre-workout powder label so you don’t incidentally consume a banned stimulant.
h. Cannabinoids (including CBD), hallucinogens, and opioids
Even legal (CBD) substances are banned, so be careful if you’ve been taking CBD oil.
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