When you train hard, you exert and stress your muscles to the point they tear. During recovery, your body repairs the damage by fusing muscle fibers together in a healing process called hypertrophy that leads to physical gains in both mass and strength.

As athletes, when we take down personal records (or world records, for that matter), muscle gain is typically both the cause and effect of our success. Taking different supplements for muscle growth can accelerate athletic progress and support strength-related gains in a variety of ways. Certain hormones, for instance, can optimize the body’s ability to absorb proteins, while creatine remains one of the most effective muscle building supplements you can possibly take, due to the energy it supplies your muscles for growth and performance.  

Here’s why we recommend muscle gain supplements for any training goals, whether you’re a top physique athlete or an average Joe or Jane.

Increase amino acid uptake

Repair and enlarge muscle fibers

Reduce muscle fatigue

Improve energy and endurance

Elevate testosterone levels

Support healthy estrogen levels

Improve blood flow

Build lean muscle

Inhibit fat growth and boost metabolism

Add adaptogens to your diet

Fight against catabolism and atrophy

Improve sleep health

Make no mistake, we’re bodybuilders and athletes first. While we always recommend consuming healthy, whole foods whenever possible, we realize that supplements can play an imperative role in maximizing your gains. Especially when it comes to building muscle and improving performance. Each of these supplements is formulated for muscle growth with clean, tested, and proven ingredients.

In the arena where iron meets ambition, every lifter—from the novices sweating in their new gym shoes to the seasoned beasts dominating the squat rack—seeks the holy grail of gains: bigger, stronger, brick-built muscle.

This is where muscle building supplements carve their niche, not just as aids but as catalysts of true transformation. Let's dive into the gritty details to explore what makes taking supplements for muscle growth so advantageous, and how these supplements can redefine your limits.

But first…

How Exactly does muscle growth work?

When you train hard, you exert and stress your muscles to the point they tear. During recovery, your body repairs the damage by fusing muscle fibers together in a healing process called hypertrophy that leads to physical gains in both mass and strength.

But this cycle of tear-repair-grow is by no means the sole piece equation for building muscle mass. Particular hormones—namely testosterone and human growth hormone—also play a significant role, as does insulin growth factor. Behavior even comes into the play with sleep, rest, and diet.

But it’s the 2020s, and few people have the freetime and resources to optimize all of these factors. Enter muscle building supplements.

What Are muscle building supplements?

As athletes, when we take down personal records (or world records, for that matter), muscle gain is typically both the cause and effect of our success. Taking different supplements for muscle growth can accelerate hypertrophy and athletic progress, and support strength-related gains in a variety of ways.

Engineered for those who demand more from their bodies, these supplements are designed to amplify your gains, catalyze recovery, and push you beyond what you thought possible. With a range that spans from foundational proteins to cutting-edge hormone boosters, the right supplementation strategy can be the difference between plateauing and reaching new peaks of physical prowess.

why your body needs different types of supplements for Muscle growth and recovery:

The path to monumental muscle mass and recovery isn't just paved with sweat and determination. Your body needs specific nutrients to repair, rebuild, and grow stronger. Taking supplements for muscle size and performance ensures that your body isn't just recovering, it's evolving with each workout.

Muscle supplements vary widely. Those with certain hormones, for instance, can optimize the body’s ability to more effectively absorb proteins, while creatine remains one of the most effective muscle building supplements you can possibly take, with increases in performance and muscle size significantly greater than working out without creatine.

The path to monumental muscle mass and recovery isn't just paved with sweat and determination. Your body needs specific nutrients to repair, rebuild, and grow stronger. Taking supplements for muscle size and performance ensures that your body isn't just recovering, it's evolving with each workout.

Muscle supplements vary widely. Those with certain hormones, for instance, can optimize the body’s ability to more effectively absorb proteins, while creatine remains one of the most effective muscle building supplements you can possibly take, with increases in performance and muscle size significantly greater than working out without creatine.

Let’s hone the focus on a few of the best supplements for muscle gain.

Whey Protein

The cornerstone of muscle mass and strength, protein supplements are essential for anyone looking to bulk up and push their performance to the limit.

Benefits:

Accelerates muscle repair and growth

Supports faster recovery times

Increases strength and performance

Enhances muscle protein synthesis

Reduces muscle breakdown during intense training

Hormone Boosters

These supplements are crafted to naturally optimize your body's hormone levels, particularly testosterone and human growth hormone, which are crucial for muscle growth.

Benefits:

Boosts natural testosterone levels

Enhances muscle strength and size

Improves recovery and athletic performance

Increases energy levels and libido

Supports overall well-being and mood

Non-Hormone Muscle Mass Builders

Focused on amplifying your gains without altering hormone levels, these supplements leverage other pathways to enhance muscle growth.

Benefits:

Increases muscle mass and density

Enhances nutrient delivery to muscles

Supports endurance and performance

Promotes efficient energy use during workouts

Aids in faster recovery and reduced soreness

Creatine Monohydrate

One of the most studied supplements for muscle growth, creatine is a powerhouse for those looking to improve performance and gain mass. Study after study shows creatine can boost muscle strength by over 40% when combined with resistance training compared with resistance training sans creatine. That’s massive.

Benefits:

Significantly boosts power and strength

Enhances lean muscle mass

Improves high-intensity performance

Speeds up recovery times

Increases water content in muscle cells, boosting growth

Nootropic benefits, such as memory, focus, and even creativity

Sleep & Recovery

Recovery supplements, especially those that aid sleep, are crucial for muscle growth, as the body repairs and grows stronger during rest.

Benefits:

Enhances quality of sleep

Supports muscle repair and growth overnight

Reduces inflammation and soreness

Improves overall recovery times

Balances hormones crucial for muscle growth

How Do Muscle Building Supplements Work?

Muscle building supplements work by providing your body with the raw materials and support it needs to grow stronger and recover faster. From protein powders that supply essential amino acids for muscle repair to hormone boosters that optimize your body's anabolic environment, each supplement plays a unique role in your journey towards achieving Arnold-level strength and size.

Is Timing Really Everything When it comes to supplements for muscle growth?

Some people are obsessive over exactly when they get their nutrients. And while this can be an important strategy for athletes looking to shave the last ounces of spare fat and flex musculature rarely seen on Roman statues, let alone real people, most of us can be a little more flexible with our intake.

The choice is yours and should be determined based on your personal goals and needs. But here are some general guidelines:

Protein: Ideal post-workout and/or a between meal snack to ensure continuous muscle repair and growth. Make sure you get the right amount of protein and other macros in your diet.

Creatine: Best taken pre-workout for energy and post-workout for recovery.

Recovery Aids: Taking these before bed can maximize the body's natural repair processes.

Protein

Protein is a macronutrient, along with fat and carbohydrates. Make sure you’re getting enough complete protein sources in your diet. Many athletes and fitness devotees aim for around 1g of protein per pound of body weight. Different people will have different protein needs, depending on lifestyle, health, and fitness goals.

Hormone & Testosterone Boosters

Supplements that elevate your body with key hormones for muscle gains, like testosterone and HGH, can significantly improve your ability to train harder and see bigger results. Take some care and do your research to ensure you select the right hormone boosters for your body’s needs and personal goals.

Creatine

The most popular supplement for muscle growth, and for good reason. Creatine has been researched more than any other muscle building supplement, and study after study confirms it’s one of the most effective supplements for packing on muscle mass. It’s especially effective at helping muscles recover better and faster, and also supports cognitive function.

Powders

Supplement powders are widely used for everything from creatine to protein to pre-workouts. They’re not just for shakes, either. Workout supplement powders let you get creative with your intake by mixing them into pancakes, yogurt, or homemade energy bars. Animal offers a wide array of powdered supplements, including clear whey isolate, a protein powder that has a light, refreshing, and juicy taste, compared to the thicker, creamy taste of traditional protein powder. Try an array of powders to see which you prefer, then work them conveniently into your diet to fill in or add to gaps in your nutrition.

Chews

The ultimate form for easy, on-the-go supplementation. Chews are great when you want to take a full dose on the spot and don’t need water. Beyond exceptional quality, Animal Chews are known for their great taste and better results.

Pill Packs

Pill packs are great for those who want to really dial-in their muscle mass game by tailoring their intake to add or eliminate specific nutrients. For instance, you can omit caffeine pills or testosterone boosters based on your body’s needs for stimulants or specific hormones. Most pill packs should be taken prior to a substantial meal to ensure optimal absorption of all the nutrients and compounds.