So, you are looking to build muscle mass? Well, diet and training will take you a long way. However, if you have maxed out what diet and training alone can give you, it may be time to look into the best supplements to build muscle. Luckily for you, here is a compiled list of the top muscle building supplements that you may want to try. Remember, this list is not in any certain order and there are other supplements out there that can help you build muscle. This list is specifically for building muscle. If you would like to know the best supplements for other kinds of goals, like the best supplements for rapid post-exercise recovery or more anaerobic energy, you will have to find that post on our site! On to the list!

Creatine Monohydrate

Creatine monohydrate is the best form of creatine to supplement with, regardless what supplement companies may tell you in their advertisements. Creatine is by far one of the best, if not the best, supplements for muscle mass. Creatine is energy that you need for high intensity weight training sessions, something you should be doing if you are looking to increase your muscle mass! Creatine will give you more strength, more stamina, more explosiveness, and decrease your recovery time, Oh yeah, did I mention it definitely helps build muscle mass?

What is it? (Wikipedia)

Creatine is a substance found naturally in red meat. Creatine phosphate is used in the muscle for energy, and your creatine stores can deplete rapidly, unless you are supplementing. The best form of creatine to supplement with is creatine monohydrate. It is commonly found in pre and post workout supplements, because it supplies energy and has recovery capabilities. Being one of the safest and most researched supplements, you can be assured that creatine is a great addition to any supplement routine.

When/How to take it?

The best form of creatine monohydrate to purchase is just plain powder. Don’t worry about those supplements that are full of sugar and cost twice as much. You can make those supplements yourself if you would like, simply by adding powdered Gatorade to your creatine powder. While supplement companies may tell you to do a loading period and cycle on/off, it isn’t necessary. In fact, the best regime I have found with creatine is to just take 5g per day. I take my creatine post workout with my whey protein shake, and on days that I don’t workout, I take it in the morning before I eat my breakfast.

Recommended Product: NOW Foods Creatine Powder

Whey Protein Powder

Whey protein has become the most popular supplement in the fitness industry, and its a well deserving award. Whey protein has the highest bioavailabilty of any protein, even better than egg albumin (which is considered the gold standard of proteins). That means the whey protein you ingest actually gets used by the body to repair, grow, and maintain bodily tissue, muscle being the most important in your case!

What is it?

Whey protein is a portion of the protein found in milk. Milk protein is made up of 20% whey protein and 80% casein protein. The whey is separated and the protein is processed into powder form for use by the consumer. Whey protein is a staple supplement for almost every goal, especially building muscle. Your body needs an ample supply of protein to build muscle. Getting that supply of protein through the diet isn’t possible for everybody. So, supplementation is the best option.

When/How to use it?

You can take whey protein shakes any time of the day, for any reason. You can combine it with things like blended up oatmeal, fruit, and peanut butter to make a healthy meal replacement for a low cost. You can take it in the morning to make sure your body has enough protein for its muscle after the 8 hour fast that takes place during sleep. However, the best time to take it is right after you finish working out, because whey protein is the fastest absorbing protein available. Just follow the instructions on your whey protein supplement, which usually involves mixing one scoop with 8 oz of water or milk in a shake.

Recommended Product: Dymatize Elite Gourmet Protein

Ornithine alphaketoglutarate (OKG)

OKG is a lesser known supplement that the ones listed above. However, it can still be used very effectively as one of the top muscle building supplements.

What is it?

OKG is a salt formed by an Ornithine molecule and a alphaketoglutarate molecule. Supplementing with OKG can lead to a higher rate of protein synthesis in the body and a higher retention of nitrogen in the body, avoiding catabolism.

When/How to use it?

OKG comes in many different supplements, all having different instructions on how to use it. If you happen to be using it by itself, it is best to combine with amino acids like Glutamine and Arginine for more benefits.

Recommended Product: Healthy N Fit Nutritionals – Advanced Okg 5000

Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)

One of the most important things for people looking for more muscle mass is preventing catabolism. BCAA supplements happen to be one of the best supplements to do so. BCAAs are essential amino acids metabolized in the muscle of the body instead of in the liver, like the other 6 do.

What are they?

BCAAs include Leucine, IsoLeucine, and Valine. These are 3 of the essential amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. They are considered essential because your body cannot produce a large enough amount of them in the body to sustain itself. For that reason, they must be ingested through the diet, or supplements.

When/How to use them?

Since they are metabolized in the muscle, BCAAs are generally used to make more protein (leading to more muscle), or used for energy (preventing catabolism). Training and diet is different for everybody, so each individual should find out how they can benefit from BCAAs and when they should use them.

Recommended Product: Optimum Nutrition Instantized BCAA 5000mg Powder

L-Glutamine

If you haven’t noticed a pattern, amino acids are very important. They make up many of the best supplements to build muscle. Glutamine is another amino acid supplement that makes our top list.

What is it? (Wikipedia)

Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid. As soon as you read that you are probably wondering why you need to supplement with it…well, its simple really. Just because it is the most abundant non-essential amino acid found in the body doesn’t mean supplementing with it can’t produce high quality results.

When/How to use it?

Glutamine is great to prevent catabolism and decrease the time you need to recover. Less time spent recovering means you can increase the intensity of your workouts. That leads to increased muscle mass, compared to a workout program of lesser intensity with the same techniques. The best way to use Glutamine is follow the directions on your respective supplement.

Recommended Product: Optimum Nutrition Glutamine Powder

MCT Oil

It would seem that MCT oil, a supplement of fatty acids basically, wouldn’t have any effect of building muscle. However, MCT oil does three things to help you put on mass. It helps you increase your caloric intake easily, it is used for energy (sparing protein), and it can have a positive effect on growth hormone levels, something that can really help you gain some muscle.

What is it?

MCT oil is a special form of fat that only contains medium-chain triglycerides. This type of fat actually only contains 8.3 calories per gram, instead of the normal 9 calories/gram.

When/How to use it?

The best way to take it is to start with a half tablespoon for each meal in the day. After 3 days have passed, you can increment by another half tablespoon for each meal. This process continues until you have reached the desired level of fat in your diet, based on your caloric needs.

Recommended Product: Now Foods MCT Oil

Arginine

Arginine supplementation is something that many fitness enthusiasts argue about. That fact still remains that this supplement does work for muscle growth, even if it doesn’t add up to all the hype surrounding it. It still gives you a great pump during workouts and can positively effect testosterone levels in the body.

What is it? (Wikipedia)

Arginine is an amino acid. It is also a precursor to nitric oxide in the body, something that is very important if you are looking for more muscle. Nitric oxide will give you those great pumps in the gym that you always strive for.

When/How to use it?

The best way to use it is by ingesting it in a pre workout supplement. You can find Arginine in stimulants and non-stimulants, so no matter where you stand with stimulants, you can still use it. Also, you can just get L-Arginine by itself in pill form and take it as directed if you would like. I have done both in the past and they both produce results.

Recommended Product: NOW Foods L-Arginine 500mg

Well, there you have it, our top list for muscle building supplements. Do you have any recommendations for supplements that should have made this list? Please leave a comment below and let us know why! If you like the post, please share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Google+, and through email! We would really appreciate it!