Nowadays, it's not enough to just have a nice six-pack and a good set of arms. The world is evolving and so are people's perspectives on what a "complete physique" looks like. This is largely a result of the new categories in bodybuilding, namely women's bikini and men's physique.
Women are less afraid of picking up weights and more interested in adding muscle to their frames. A lot of men make it their life's mission to achieve the aesthetic look, which requires good whole-body development and symmetry. All of this requires building muscle mass.
The ability to add quality size to one's frame is actually quite easy for some. This is especially true for mesomorphs and for some endomorphs. On the other hand, ectomorphs have a more difficult time putting on mass.
Here's an essential supplement stack that will benefit those who are having a hard time building mass:
Whey Protein
No matter what breakthrough supplement enters the market, whey protein will always be a staple muscle-building supplement. Protein is what our bodies need in order to build muscle. Without protein, we wouldn't be able to recover from workouts, get stronger, and of course, put on size.
Not only is whey a convenient and cost-friendly way to get in your daily recommended protein intake, it's also incredibly versatile. You can make any dish with protein powder and even use it to bake and make high protein desserts. These all contribute towards the end goal, which is to put on size without excess body fat.
Testosterone Booster
Testosterone boosters are legal supplements that aim to increase testosterone levels in the body. They are usually composed of these four ingredients: D-Aspartic Acid, Tribulus Terrestris, Fenugreek and ZMA, all of which help in increasing muscle mass, strength and sex drive.
When combined with an effective training program, you can see significant results and possibly break through a stubborn plateau. Starting with compound lifts such as barbell rows, pull-ups, bench presses, squats, deadlifts and overhead presses, then finishing with smaller isolation movements will lead to a greater anabolic response. Furthermore, fueling your body with a sufficient amount of calories and adequate rest and recovery will result in even greater gains.
Creatine Monohydrate
There are many forms of creatine in the supplement market but good ole' creatine monohydrate is still proven to be the best. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts swear by creatine monohydrate because though it is produced by the body, one would benefit from increased intake. However, consuming just a couple of grams of creatine would require consuming 1-3 kilograms of animal protein. If you're a smaller individual, such as a 100-lb. female, consuming 1-3 kilograms of animal protein would not be ideal, and would put you way over your protein and caloric targets. This is where supplementing with creatine monohydrate power is advantageous.
Creatine supplementation helps boost athletic performance especially during high intensity activities such as lifting weights. Additionally, creatine increases intramuscular water content, making it fuller and bigger. The increase in muscle size helps people squeeze out more repetitions per set.
Getting a sufficient amount of creatine to boost athletic performance from natural food sources is near impossible as you will have to consume at least 2.5 pounds of meat just to get 5 grams of creatine which is why purchasing supplemental creatine monohydrate is necessary.
Mass Gainer
In order to put on more size, you need to consume more calories in a day than you burn. Unfortunately, there's absolutely no way around this unless you use anabolic steroids. For many, eating enough to consistently be in a caloric surplus is difficult and where the vast majority of hard-gainers fail; they're simply not eating enough.
Mass gainer supplements should help tremendously with providing consumers with much needed calories to supplement their daily caloric intake. An average serving from a mass gainer is usually a whopping 500 or more calories. This, along with solid meals, should make it easier for ectomorphs to put on size.
Pre-Workout
Some will argue that pre workouts are not essential to build mass but studies show that people with pre workout supplements tend to be in the gym more often than those who don't take pre workouts.
On days when you're too lazy to go to the gym or just not in the mood to go, a scoop of pre workout will give you the much needed energy to get through even the toughest, most tiring workouts. Also, since pre workouts give users an intense boost of energy, many find themselves using heavier weight and pushing themselves more than if they weren't taking a pre workout.
Always remember to read the labels and follow the suggested dosage on the containers to avoid increased tolerance to the product and to avoid negative reactions.
With hard work and discipline plus this essential supplement stack for building mass, you're one step closer to achieving your dream physique.