Starting a fitness routine is a great step towards improving your health and well-being. “Fitness” means something different to everyone. For the gym buff with years of experience, lifting weights and running hard – it may mean pushing a few extra pounds, running faster, or maxing out for a new PR. For others fitness could be taking your daily walk just a little bit further, or spending time with loved ones that typically have a bit more energy than you.
Here at GNC we’ve got something for everyone, at EVERY point in their fitness journey. While supplements can be helpful, it’s important to remember that they should not replace a balanced diet full of healthy nutrient dense foods and regular exercise.
As a Sports Dietitian, I’ve worked with hundreds of athletes at all stages of fitness for almost every sport imaginable. Here are some of my top picks to complement your routine, fill nutritional gaps, and fuel your fitness journey… wherever it may take you:
Top Sport Supplements
1. Protein Powder
The official #1 supplement for fitness. Everyone can benefit from this hero. For starters, protein is essential for life. It’s a macronutrient, meaning we need a lot of it in our diets. There are plenty of ways to get protein from food – meats, poultry, dairy, nuts, soy, etc. But sometimes we don’t get enough. Protein is crucial for muscle repair and growth, and it can be challenging to get enough from whole foods alone.
Athletes and fitness enthusiasts are more active than the average Joe, requiring more protein to fuel their goals. Protein powders provide an easy protein boost as a snack or meal replacement and help support muscle recovery and maintain lean mass. Protein supplements, such as whey or plant-based protein powders, can be a convenient, trusted addition to fueling your fitness.
Who Can Benefit from Protein Powder?
Everyone!
When Should I Take Protein Powder?
Protein powders can be taken before or after training to supply the nutrients and amino acids to support muscle recovery. They can also used on non-training days for an anytime protein boost.
Top Protein Powder Categories at GNC
2. Creatine
Creatine is one of the most researched and effective supplements for sports performance.
By increasing energy production, creatine can help with high-intensity, short-duration activities like weightlifting, sprinting, and jumping. It also supports muscle protein synthesis, so assists with muscle gains when combined with a strength training program.
Who Can Benefit from Creatine?
Power athletes – those lifting heavy weights, football players, soccer players, basketball, swimming, sprinters, and volleyball. Of course, there are others, but this captures a good chunk of fast paced, agility, and power type moves.
Everyone else! Really. The more we know about creatine, the more way’s we can apply it to fitness, performance and beyond. Want to know more? Check out this article I wrote about creatine supplement benefits outside of the gym here.
When Should I Take Creatine?
Creatine sports supplements can be taken any time of day. Often, athletes reach for creatine prior to training sessions that demand short bursts of energy. The additional creatine helps top off stores, providing fuel for working muscle.
Top Creatine Supplement Picks at GNC:
- Just getting started – GNC Pro Performance® Creatine Monohydrate
- Middle of the road/advanced – Kaged® Elite Series: Creating Monohydrate
- Middle of the road/advanced looking for a powderless upgrade backed by science – GNC AMP Creatine 189™
3. Pre-Workout Supplements:
You know we LOVE a good pre-workout here at GNC. If we don’t have it, you don’t want it! Pre workouts just may be our specialty. And we’ve got something for everyone! Just like your unique fitness journey, our pre workout assortment provides unique offerings to fuel your goals (from flavor and ingredients, to benefits and experience). Our Beyond Raw line is clinically dosed and features top ingredients and new innovations.
Who Can Benefit from Pre-workouts?
Everyone! If you’re looking for a boost of motivation and focus to get after it, a pre workout may be the ticket. New users should start slow with lower doses of caffeine and sensory ingredients.
When Should I Take My Pre-workout?
Pre-workout… obviously! Pre workouts are best to consume 30-60 minutes prior to exercise when you need the motivation and focus to dig deep. Caffeine will peak at this time and you’ll start experiencing the benefits of those purposeful ingredients.
Top Pre-workout Picks at GNC:
Just Getting Started – Beyond Raw LIT or GHOST® Legend® V3
Middle of the Road/Advanced – GNC AMP TRI-PHASE or Kaged® Elite Series – Pre-Workout
Advanced – BEYOND RAW® Concept X
4. Vitapak® Programs:
Vitapak® programs take the guess work out of supplement use. Many include GNC’s clinically studied multivitamin blend plus supplements and ingredients purposely placed to enhance your efforts in the gym.
From providing energy, muscle support, recovery benefits, to enhancing fat metabolism, soothing aching joints, and more! They leave no category untouched. Truly whole-body support, for Men, Women, those new to sport or the seasoned pro. Check out some of our featured Vitapak programs geared for fitness!
Top Men's Fitness Vitapaks
Top Women's Fitness Vitapaks
NEW! Beyond Raw® Vital Elements Vitapak® Program
Our newest Vitapak® program falls in the Beyond Raw® brand for our most extreme and dedicated athletes looking for multi-mechanistic support for intense training nutrition.
What’s In The Pack?
Despite our best efforts to maintain a perfect diet, sometimes it’s just not in the cards. Athletes often fall short of nutrients key to fueling sport. Energy needs and demands are elevated for intense training and competition. Boost key nutrients and immune health with GNC’s clinically proven multivitamin formula.
Providing 18 vitamins and minerals at 100% daily value or more. This multivitamin blend was put to the test in a clinical study – showing improvements in B vitamin levels as well as antioxidant and immune-supporting nutrients, compared to a basic multivitamin.^*
Strength Complex
Looking to get strong faster? Myotor® is a blend of Sphaeranthus indicus and Magnifera indica extracts, clinically proven to:
- Accelerate strength in as early as 2 weeks♦*
- Improve bench press by 23 lbs and leg extension by 17 lbs in 8 weeks ♦*
- Increase muscle endurance, strength, number of reps, and stamina♦*
- This strength complex also delivers hormone processing support with DIM (diindolylmethane), a plant nutrient (known as a phytonutrient) made by the body.
Joint Mobility Blend
Lifting heavy weights require big efforts. And big efforts can put strain on your joints. TamaFlex™ is a clinically studied blend of tamarind seed and turmeric extract proven to soothe sore joints, improving joint flexibility, function, stiffness, and comfort – in as little as 5 daysꝉ
Gut Health Formula
A healthy gut helps to get the most nutrients out of the foods we eat. ButyraGen™ is a cutting-edge ingredient targeted to help facilitate the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and fat with a full-spectrum blend of digestive enzymes and fiber. Gut health is important to keep things regular and predictable, on AND off the field. And, the gut heavily influences our immune system. For peak fitness, athletes should keep gut health top of mind.
Liver & Cell Support
The Liver & Cell Formula features N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) to help protect against the oxidative stress and free radical damage caused by intense training sessions. NAC promotes healthy liver function by supporting the detox pathways in the liver, boosting levels of the powerful antioxidant glutathione.
NEW! PRO PERFORMANCE Active Fitness Vitapak® Program
What’s In the Pack?
Daily Multivitamin
Features a scientifically designed multivitamin to support immunity and provide nutrients essential for energy production, priming your body for top performance. It provides 24 vitamins & minerals to help fill nutritional gaps and support overall health & core wellness*. Featuring 14 vitamins and minerals at 100% daily value or more, plus powerful antioxidants to help protect from free radical damage caused be intense exercise.*
Endurance & Electrolytes
Includes Oxyjun®, an Arjuna Tree (Terminalia arjuna) Bark Extract clinically studied for endurance support. Plus, electrolytes to optimize hydration – electrolytes and other nutrients essential to sport are often lost through sweat.
Brain, Heart, & Joint Health
Ultra-purified Omega-3s, EPA and DHA, help to support a healthy brain, heart, and joints. Fish oil is essential to a well-rounded fitness routine, especially when consuming (enough) fish is NOT on the menu.
When Should I Take My Vitamins and Other Pills in the Vitapak® Program?
The contents of your Vitapak® program are intended to be consumed in one sitting – for convenience! You’re getting everything you need at once. When you take it is up to you, but having it with a meal or in the mornings can get your day off to the right start.
Before adding any supplements to your routine, consult with a healthcare professional and remember that supplements are meant to supplement a healthy diet and exercise routine, not replace them. Focus on a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep as the foundation of your fitness journey. And trust GNC to provide the best fitness supplements for every goal!
