Being a fighter is difficult. Whether it’s Boxing, BJJ, Muay Thai, Karate or any other martial art, you’ll have to be on point with sleep, nutrition, recovery and supplements. In this article I’ll strictly focus on the supplements that I use and that has given me and many other fighters an edge, when it comes to performance.
The supplement industry is filled with a lot of junk, which is based around marketing. Stuff that might increase performance by a few percent, but it’ll give you annoying side effects etc….
Therefore, I’ll focus on the 5 most useful supplements, which I personally use and find helpful.
My 5 Favourite Supplements For Fighting
Now, let’s get into the good stuff. I’ll share 5 supplements, which each has their own benefit for performance. Whether you’re looking for improved sleep, faster recovery, or something else, I got you. Let’s take a look at the 5 supplements!
1. ZMA(Zink, Magnesium, Vitamin B6)
ZMA is a combination of zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B6 that supports muscle recovery, hormone production, and sleep quality. It can be particularly beneficial for fighters during periods of intense training and weight cutting. I have used it for many years and been pleased with the results. Sleep has been especially improved, which is very lovely.
2. Whey Protein
Whey protein is a fast-digesting protein source that can aid in muscle repair and recovery after intense training sessions or fights. It provides the body with essential amino acids necessary for muscle synthesis and growth. I’ll normally drink a shake after training, which takes the worst hunger, while providing loads of protein.
3. Creatine
Creatine is a naturally occurring compound that helps produce ATP. ATP is the primary energy source for short-duration, high-intensity activities like sprinting, lifting weights or martial arts. Supplementing with creatine can enhance strength, power, and explosive performance during training and fights.
Personally, I love this supplement, because it’s so researched and helps so well. I don’t think you should use creatine before a fight, because it generally makes you hold a little more water weight.
4. Electrolytes
Electrolyte supplements help replenish electrolytes lost through sweat during intense training sessions or fights. They can aid in hydration, muscle function, and overall performance, especially in hot and humid environments.
This supplement can really make a world of a difference, if you are dehydrated. Try to get some quality electrolytes and feel the difference in performance!
5. Fish Oil(Omega 3)
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil have anti-inflammatory properties and support cardiovascular health. Fighters often experience inflammation and oxidative stress from intense training. This makes fish oil supplementation beneficial for reducing inflammation and promoting recovery.
Fish Oil is a great supplement for anyone, but especially fighters! It has so many positive effects, so what are you waiting for?
Final Thoughts
There’s an extreme amount of products in the supplement-industry. This means, that you can spend a huge amount of money, before finding what works. These 5 supplements is what has worked best for me, but there’s definitely other great ones out there!
Start with these five and try something new every once in a while.