If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best supplements for endurance athletes is then I’d recommend Levels 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein as the best one.
If you’re an endurance athlete of any sort, then you have too many options for supplements!
That’s why it’s easy to suffer from confusion when planning your ideal supplement stack.
But fear not. In this guide, you’re going to get an easy to digest breakdown of the best supplements for endurance athletes.
Whether you want to improve your performance or smash your recovery time, I have some excellent recommendations for you.
Table of Contents
What You Need to Know About Supplements for Endurance Athletes
Always remember that everything you put into your body determines how you look, feel, and perform.
So, the first thing you need to know about supplements for endurance athletes is that not all supplements are created equal.
Another tremendous insight is that supplements never make up for an unhealthy lifestyle! According to this article by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, low calories, carbs, fluid, and vitamin intake can negatively affect athletic performance.
Here’s a small list of essential healthy lifestyle choices for endurance athletes:
- Eat a proper diet with a variety of whole foods
- Get plenty of rest
- Grant yourself ample recovery time after workouts or competition
How to Choose the Best Supplement for Endurance Athletics
When I first explored the world of endurance supplements, I wish I had the wisdom to keep things simple. There are so many supplement options for athletes that it’s easy to get bogged down.
Keep things simple and remember that the most popular and widely used endurance supplements fall into a small handful of categories.
Here’s a handful of supplement categories for endurance athletes:
- Fish oils
- Amino acid powder
- Protein powder
- Protein bars
- Vitamin supplements
- Green supplements
- Caffeine supplements
Are you shocked to find caffeine on this list of supplements? Caffeine may increase athletic energy and endurance levels. So, caffeine may be more useful than keeping you awake during the early morning routines!
Things to Look for in Your Endurance Supplement
The number one thing to look for in your supplement is what the supplement contains. Pay close attention to the ingredients in any supplement that you take.
That way, you can choose supplements that naturally help to boost your performance without digesting unnecessary additives and preservatives.
Pay very close attention to reviews of the supplement. Does the supplement in question have many verified reviews?
What’s the Best Way to Use Your Endurance Athlete Supplements?
For the best results, always follow the instructions for any supplement that you consider. Remember that supplement styles and brands can vary significantly in their dosage instructions. So, read the label carefully before use!
It’s also a fantastic idea to listen to your body. As you start any supplement routine, take notes of how you feel. Can you notice any performance enhancement? Do you see any adverse side effects? Take a close inventory of how you feel. That way, you can stick to supplements that work for you, and discard those that don’t.
The Five Best Supplements for Endurance Athletes
Let’s look at five of the best supplements for endurance athletes that won’t bog you down, or introduce unnecessary additives!
Levels 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein
If you’re an endurance athlete, then your bones, muscles, and your entire body need high-quality protein! The problem is that getting enough protein is like pulling teeth, especially if you have a demanding training routine, work schedule, or busy lifestyle.
Adult men need roughly 56 grams per protein per day. Women need approximately 46 grams per day.
If you want to increase your protein level using a 100% natural and organic source, then this grass-fed whey protein is outstanding.
The taste of this protein is quite pleasant and comes in a few flavors. You can get chocolate mocha, pure chocolate, vanilla bean, or vanilla cinnamon. You can easily mix the powder in your favorite shake, smoothie, or add a serving to almond milk or even coffee for a tasty, protein-loaded treat.
Pros:
- A brilliantly simple method to get your daily recommended supply of protein
- Absorbs in nearly any drink, perfect for smoothies
- A tasty variety of flavors make the powder very easy to consume
- 100% grass-fed whey
- Non-GMO
- Contains a whopping 24 grams of protein per serving
- No added sugars
Cons:
- May require a blender for best results
- Not the most affordable whey protein
Source Naturals Life Force Multiple Daily Multivitamin
One of the worst things for an endurance athlete is if your body doesn’t have the proper nutrition that it needs to function in high gear. That’s why you must eat a balanced diet every day.
Of course, everyone knows how difficult it is to eat healthy these days. That’s why a proper multivitamin is an excellent idea, primarily if you’ve been known to skip a meal now and then.
This Source Naturals multivitamin brand contains antioxidants, vitamins A, C, D-3, E, K-1, B-1, B-2, B-6, B-12, and more.
There is a massive variety of vitamins available on the market today; choose carefully. The main advantage of a multivitamin is that they’re simple to consume anywhere without fuss.
Pros:
- Allows you to fill any nutrient gaps in your diet
- Crammed with vital nutrients and vitamins
- Easy to swallow capsules
- Designed to help boost energy levels
- Improve energy without the sugar rush (or sugar crash)
- Non-GMO
Cons:
- Not the cheapest brand of multivitamins around
- May cause gas or uncomfortable stomach
Energy Pills with Organic MACA Root
If you want a massive energy boost, then I can’t recommend these energy pills enough. Give them a try if you wish to hack your energy levels.
You probably realize that a lot of different energy-boosting options involve upping your sugar or carb consumption. One of the best features of these caffeine pills is that you can get the energy boost without the added carbs and sugar.
Another thing that’s so fantastic about these smart energy pills is that they contain three different energy sources. The tablets contain caffeine, maca, and coconut MCT oil (medium-chain triglyceride oil).
However, remember that like all supplements, these pills aren’t miracle workers. While the carefully chosen ingredients in these pills provide a boost of energy, nothing can replace proper nutrition and a decent night’s sleep.
Pros:
- Contains three different energy sources (caffeine, coconut MCT oil, and maca)
- Get energy without empty calories or sugar
- Easy to swallow soft gel pill
- Gluten-free
- No preservatives
- Relatively inexpensive
Cons:
- Some people swear that caffeine pills don’t affect their vitality in the slightest
- May negatively affect the ability to sleep
Super Greens # 1 Green Veggie Superfood
Your body only performs best when it has the nutrients that it needs. Unfortunately, not everyone gets the daily recommended dose of nutrients that you usually get from a balanced diet.
This green veggie supplement is perfect if you want to try an energy-boosting option without a considerable amount of carbs and sugar. If you decide to maintain a low-carb lifestyle or wish to avoid excess ingredients, then consider super greens.
The supplement is in the form of a powder that you can mix with your favorite drink or make a delicious smoothie. Ensure to mix the powder adequately to prevent lumping!
Pros:
- Designed to promote energy and nutrition without the sugary crash
- Excellent source of fiber, enzymes, and probiotics
- A convenient way to get a boatload of nutritious vitamins quickly
- 100% organic
- Non-GMO
- 100% vegan
Cons:
- Not the best tasting
- May cause gas/bloating
Gatorade Whey Protein Bars
There are a few reasons why I love these Gatorade protein bars. First, the team at Gatorade takes athletic performance seriously, and they’re a brand that I trust.
The bars are packed with 20 grams of milk protein so your recovering muscles will bend over backward thanking you. Each bar comes crammed with 42 grams of carbs which also helps your recovery, significantly. If you are on a keto diet or a low carb diet, then take note. However, in my opinion, carbs are an excellent source of energy; there’s no doubt about that.
These bars are incredibly flavorful and delicious. They come in chocolate caramel, chocolate chip, mint chocolate crunch, and other flavors. A fantastic source of protein and carbs that you don’t have to choke down like other bulk protein supplements? Sign me up!
Pros:
- The taste is delicious if you love sweet snacks
- A variety of flavors to match your taste
- Individually wrapped, no mess
- Each bar boasts a generous 20 grams of protein
- Each bar contains 42 grams of carbs
- Each bar contains 20% of your daily required calcium
- I trust the Gatorade brand
Cons:
- The 42 grams of carbs might be off-putting if you are on a low carb diet
- Each bar contains around 28 grams of sugar
Top Pick for Best Supplements for Endurance Athletes
Of all these endurance athlete supplements, my top choice has to be Levels 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein. I love the idea of getting organic, grass-fed whey protein without added sugars.
One of the most important things you need to know about supplements for endurance athletes is that your results may vary.
The best supplements in the world can’t make up for an improper diet and lack of rest. Treat your body to quality ingredients! That way, you’ll let the supplements do their job correctly, so you get the best performance boost possible.
If you want to get the best athletic performance, you need to put in the work. Your commitment, effort, hustle, passion, and proper nutrition are fundamental.