While supplements can be an excellent addition to a diet and workout routine to help enhance fitness levels and build muscle, many people either avoid taking workout supplements or rely on them too much; for the simple reason that they hold misconceptions.
Well, let’s look at five of the most common misconceptions so you can understand why they’re not valid.
You can then make workout supplements a part of your dietary and exercise routine and, in turn, increase your fitness progress.
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You Don’t Need to Work Out as Much if You’re Taking Supplements
Some people think that they can rely solely on workout supplements to build muscle and enhance their fitness levels.
While it’s true that supplements can improve your overall health and bolster your immune system, and protein-based supplements can help you to gain more muscle, don’t stunt your fitness progress by having the misconception that you don’t need to work out as often.
Workout supplements supplement your workout. They aren’t intended to replace it.
You won’t build muscle just by intaking protein-based supplements, for example. You will also need to spend regular time in the gym.
Quite simply, supplements can help to amplify your workouts and can help you to make more progress, but if you’re not working hard at the gym, they won’t make you bigger, stronger, or healthier.
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Supplements Don’t Work or Are Even Dangerous
At the other end of the spectrum, some people hold the misconception that workout supplements either don’t work or are dangerous.
You could never take supplements and stunt your fitness progress by believing that falsity.
The truth is the vast majority of workout supplements are completely safe and can indeed benefit your journey to becoming fitter and reaching specific goals, such as putting on more muscle.
Just make sure you use them in combination with working out regularly. Supplements are intended to complement your diet and workout routine, not replace them.
Stick to supplements by established brands that contain ingredients, like creatine and protein, that are proven to help enhance fitness when used correctly in combination with regular exercise.
The same goes for energy drinks. They can bolster your fitness progress when taken in the right way. Take a look at this insightful article to learn more about taking pre-workouts vs energy drinks.
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All Workout Supplements Are of the Same Quality
Following the previous misconception, many believe that all supplements are of the same quality. Therefore, they purchase the cheapest supplements on the market.
But the truth is supplements aren’t created equally.
The quality can vary because different companies have different standards. Some manufacturers rely on a lower quality so that they can provide a lower price.
So, don’t purchase workout supplements based on the price. If you do, you could delay your fitness progress in comparison to taking high-quality supplements.
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Whey Protein Can Make You Fat
Whey protein is often used in workout supplements that help to build muscle. But many people have the misconception that whey protein makes people fat.
Well, that is another one of those popular fitness myths debunked.
Whey protein doesn’t make you fat.
If you find you’re putting on more weight than muscle when taking supplements, don’t blame the supplements. Instead, take a good look at your diet. If you’re putting on weight, you’re almost certainly eating excessive calories, says Food Politics. That’s what puts on fat.
Taking supplements as part of your diet and workout routine, on the other hand, will help to ensure maximum muscle gains.
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Creatine Is a Steroid
Like whey, creatine is found in many workout supplements, explains Healthline. But some people are under the misapprehension that creatine is a steroid and, therefore, they avoid taking creatine supplements.
In truth, creatine isn’t a steroid at all. Creatine is a substance that’s naturally found in the human body and helps supply energy to muscle cells, which is why it can be great and safe for helping build muscle and improve overall fitness levels.
