Sports Fitness and Nutrition

In the final part of this series, I will briefly discuss the importance of bodybuilding supplements. Perhaps one of the most misleading beliefs at the gym is the importance of supplements in comparison to the entire equation as covered within this series.

There are No Short Cuts

All too often, I have been approached by teenagers in a gym and asked what supplements I am taking. Without answering, I will ask how many meals they eat in a day, and exactly how many grams of protein, carbohydrates and fat make up those meals – and how often they train. I get the same response every time: a deer in the headlights type stare.

The thought that bodybuilding supplements will do all the work for you could not be further from the truth. There is no magical supplement! There is no wonder pill or powder. To build muscle or shed body fat, you must follow a proper program of diet and exercise. Following the advice given throughout this series will get you on the right track to achieving your goals.

Editor's Note: The links to other parts of this series appear at the end of this blog-entry.

Don't be Misled

Supplement advertising can be - and is - very misleading. Do not allow yourself to get caught up in all of the hype and marketing. Do not be fooled by the latest or so-called "greatest" supplement that claims it will add 30 pounds of muscle to your physique in 30 days. Honestly and simply put, it will just not happen.

A Time and Place, But Not For Everyone

This is not to say that I do not recommend the use of bodybuilding supplements. But there is a time and place for everything, and the same can be said for bodybuilding supplements. It is not necessary for everyone to take bodybuilding supplements just because they "work out". However, protein shakes which I do not consider to be a part of this discussion can be very convenient for anyone trying to squeeze in 6 to 8 small meals over the course of a day. But do not rely too heavily on them because whole food is very important.

Multi-vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids (EFAs) are an important part of a healthy diet for everyone. Only more advanced teens or experienced individuals involved in weight training or bodybuilding really need to take bodybuilding supplements.

Only When the Time Is Right

Before teens delve into the use of any bodybuilding supplements, they first need to build upon all that has been discussed in this series. You need to set goals, create a plan that includes a realistic training program and a nutrition plan, and then - most importantly - be consistent! And I cannot over emphasize the importance of consistency.

Once a teenager - or anyone for that matter - has been consistently training (and I am referring to at least one year, not one week, or one month), I would recommend only certain supplements to help them reach the next level. Some of those might include supplements such as glutamine, creatine and branched chain amino acids.

Other Parts in This Series

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6