Bodybuilding supplements are not just a product for men. Regardless of gender, you can greatly improve your exercise and physical health by choosing the right product for you. However, due to some physical differences, women’s bodybuilding supplements are a little different and it is better to pay attention to the important points before using them.
Taking sports supplements for women
Bodybuilding supplements for women have always been in question. For this reason, in this part of the article, we are going to fully investigate this issue and introduce suitable sports supplements for women.
Bodybuilding supplements are made for which gender?
It should be noted that most of the bodybuilding supplements are not defined for a specific gender and both women and men can use them.
As a woman, during the exercise period, first of all, you should define your goal of exercising, bulking up a certain part of the body, increasing energy, delaying fatigue, slimming and fat burning, better health, cutting muscles, etc. All of them are goals that can be considered.
Be careful that as a woman, you may be at a certain age, such as puberty, pre-pregnancy or menopause, which also require you to take special supplements.
The difference between male and female athletes
The difference between women and men is not only related to gender, but also manifests itself in hormonal and nervous structures.
On the other hand, some bodybuilding supplements are prohibited for women, because these supplements increase testosterone by affecting men’s testicles, and in contrast to some other supplements, they only increase female hormones, which are naturally not effective for men.
Exercise is essential for women and strongly affects their physical and mental health. Menstrual regularity, delayed menopause, having glowing skin, avoiding osteoporosis, fitness, self-confidence, etc. are all just a few of the benefits of exercise for a woman.
But women should stay away from male models and have their own goals in sports due to their physical differences with men. This means that fewer women are expected to participate in professional bodybuilding competitions, because for the majority of women, bulky and so-called masculine bodies are not desirable.
Most women prefer to have a beautiful and healthy body without taking bodybuilding supplements instead of participating in special competitions. For these reasons, it can be said that women look for bodybuilding supplements much less than men. But if women also intend to use sports supplements, there will be no special restrictions or problems in this direction.
Taking bodybuilding supplements will not be a problem for women
Women, like men, can take many bodybuilding supplements and not worry about their negative effects; This is because women’s bodies produce much less of the muscle-building hormone testosterone.
It should be noted that taking the right supplements will help you gain a muscular body and burn fat faster than relying only on exercise and diet; Therefore, raw people can also add the consumption of supplements to their exercise program.
But don’t forget that a large number of sports supplements and sometimes food supplements have serious contraindications during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so if you are in this period, be sure to consult your doctor before taking bodybuilding supplements for women.
Some women buy bodybuilding supplements without knowing about the supplements they need, but some sports supplements used by men are very different from bodybuilding supplements for women.
There is no denying that most of the supplements in the market are designed and produced mostly for men’s purposes and are not suitable for women. Testosterone derivatives may be used in the production of such supplements to provide the desired results for men.
Such supplements can cause serious side effects in women. Its most common side effects are decreased sex drive, hoarseness of voice, excessive hair growth, skin acne, etc.
Which supplements are better for women?
Before introducing some supplements, we must remind again that you, as a woman, must adjust your exercise program under the supervision of an experienced doctor or trainer.
We need to point out that according to research, some very heavy sports exercises lead to menstrual disorders and infertility for women, and also, as we mentioned, some supplements can lead to unwanted side effects for everyone, even men.
iron supplement
As a female athlete, you must first of all make sure that you do not have anemia. Lack of iron in the blood makes you less productive in the gym.
If you are anemic, you will not be able to exercise well and thus you may end up taking supplements that are harmful to you. Therefore, you must take an iron supplement.
Iron is known as a supplement only for women. Of course, men can also benefit from it, but women need this supplement more, especially during menstruation.
The important thing here is that it is very easy for women to lose iron and it is not easy to replace it with food, that’s why I recommend taking an iron supplement.
creatine
Creatine is one of the best bodybuilding supplements for women. Creatine is an amino acid-like compound that occurs naturally in muscle tissue. The most basic role of creatine is to help the muscle to produce energy immediately during training.
Creatine supplementation can increase the amount of energy the body relies on and increase endurance and strength. This combination also hydrates the cells, increases their size and causes their membrane to stretch and thus their growth.
beta alanine
Beta-alanine is an amino acid that enables women’s muscles to continue producing energy at a high level even when tired. If you have ever felt a burning sensation in your muscles due to exercise, this condition is due to the production of lactic acid in muscle cells, which occurs naturally as a result of anaerobic respiration.
According to many studies, taking beta-alanine increases L-carnosine levels in muscle cells, which inhibits lactic acid activity and allows you to train longer and harder. Daily consumption of 1.5 to 3 grams of beta-alanine up to two times is recommended for women.
fish oil
Fish oil contains two essential omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Fish oil can improve a woman’s overall health and has been found to activate genes that stimulate fat burning in women. Take 2 grams of fish oil supplement three times a day with breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Why is exercise and taking sports supplements important for women?
the importance of exercising is the same for both men and women . In the following, we have listed 7 important reasons for women to exercise and take sports supplements.
- Empowerment: Women’s bodybuilding has emerged as a powerful tool for self-empowerment, allowing women to break stereotypes and challenge societal norms regarding femininity and physical strength.
- Strength and Muscle Development: Women’s bodybuilding focuses on building muscle mass and strength through progressive resistance training. It involves exercises such as weightlifting, compound movements, and targeted muscle group training.
- Body Composition: Bodybuilding helps women achieve their desired body composition by reducing body fat and increasing lean muscle mass. This can result in a more sculpted and toned physique.
- Health Benefits: Engaging in bodybuilding can contribute to numerous health benefits for women. It improves overall strength and bone density, enhances cardiovascular health, boosts metabolism, and increases insulin sensitivity.
- Mental Resilience: Women’s bodybuilding requires discipline, dedication, and mental fortitude. The sport promotes mental resilience, self-discipline, and goal-setting, which can have positive effects on overall mental well-being.
- Competitions and Camaraderie: Women’s bodybuilding competitions provide a platform for athletes to showcase their hard work and dedication. These events foster a sense of camaraderie and community among participants, allowing them to connect with like-minded individuals and build lasting friendships.
- Breaking Stereotypes: Women’s bodybuilding challenges traditional beauty standards and gender stereotypes by celebrating strong, muscular physiques. It promotes body positivity, self-acceptance, and the idea that strength and femininity are not mutually exclusive.
Note: It’s important to recognize that bodybuilding is a personal choice, and each individual’s goals and motivations may vary. It’s crucial to prioritize health, consult with professionals, and maintain a balanced approach to training and nutrition.