The Ultimate Guide on Supplement Stacks for Beginners

Written By: Steven Cleark

Published on: April 3, 2023

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This article seeks to guide you on the following:

• What a supplement stack is
• The best supplement stacks for beginners
• How to choose a suitable supplement stack
• Benefits of supplement stacking
• Precautions and side effects associated with stacking

A supplement stack is a carefully selected combination of dietary supplements aimed at enhancing various aspects of health, fitness, or athletic performance. By strategically combining supplements that complement each other, individuals can optimize their desired results, such as muscle growth, weight loss, or cognitive function. A well-designed supplement stack considers factors like synergy, dosing, and timing to create a personalized approach tailored to one's specific goals and needs.

There are various types of supplement stacks. These include pre-workout, post-workout, multivitamins, fat-burning, weight loss, high-performance, omega-3, and muscle-building supplement stacks. 

This comprehensive guide serves as the ultimate resource for beginners seeking the perfect beginners supplement stack to kickstart their fitness journey.

The Top Supplement Stacks For Beginners

There are various supplement stacks dedicated to different fitness goals. This part of the article will focus on the best supplement stacks for different fitness goals.

Cloma Pharma: Methyldrene Original 25 Ephedra Elite Stack 100 Servings is the best supplement stack for fat burning. Its blend of ingredients, including cayenne and ginger, increases the Resting Metabolism Rate of the body to ensure that more fat is burned throughout your day. It contains 150 milligrams of caffeine as its active ingredient to stimulate the release of more adrenaline into the bloodstream. Adrenaline stimulates the release of fatty acids, broken down to release energy. This process ensures that more fat is burned during rest or active hours. 

Universal: Test The Hypertrophic Test Stack 21 Servings is the best supplement stack for muscle growth and development. Its patented blend of ingredients, such as Pro-Androgen, allows your body to use testosterone produced in the body. 

Testosterone is beneficial in muscle-building, promoting muscle growth through increased protein synthesis into muscle tissues. These characteristics in testosterone allow you to increase your resistance training since your muscles grow faster and stronger. This supplement stack also contains anabolic ketosterones, which effectively inhibit the effects of estrogen. 

Estrogen has the opposite effect of testosterone and is detrimental to muscle growth and development. This supplement stack is vital for male beginners looking to build muscle and achieve their fitness targets. 

Universal: Animal M-Stak 21 Servings is designed to help you overcome your fitness plateau. It is a non-hormonal supplement providing the added protein and energy needed to power through your workout regimen. It is loaded with caffeine, a stimulant responsible for increasing metabolism in cells. This increase in metabolism increases the number of fats burned for your muscle-building journey. 

This stack also contains an anti-carbolic amino complex with the essential amino acids crucial in protein synthesis. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and are synthesized into the muscle tissue to allow for growth and development. 

They also stimulate satellite cells to repair muscles during the recovery phase of your workout. This process fuses your muscle fibers, increasing their strength and endurance. 

Benefits of Supplement Stacks

• It is vital to design your supplement stack properly since a  properly designed supplement stack is beneficial in many ways. The primary benefit of a supplement stack is improved physical performance. 
• A good performance stack would include pre and post-workouts to ensure you get a boost of energy from the pre-workout during your training.
• The post-workout is beneficial to muscle recovery, it ensures you can work out more intensely the following day. When choosing a good performance supplement stack, it is vital to ensure that it is compatible with your fitness goals. Some supplement stacks may contain counteractive ingredients which may prevent you from hitting your gym goals.
• A good supplement stack is also beneficial in recovery. Muscle is built through the fusion of muscle fibers torn during training. Stress from weight-lifting tears muscle fibers. For muscle growth to happen, the muscle fibers are fused by satellite cells which act as muscle stem cells. 
• These satellite cells are stimulated to start acting in the presence of amino acids within the muscle tissue. Supplement stacks offer protein that is synthesized to form muscle tissues and amino acids, which stimulate the repair of muscle fibers.
• The elevated amounts of amino acids within the bloodstream ensure faster repair within the muscle tissue. This leads to noticeable changes after a few weeks of working out.
• Another noticeable benefit of supplement stacks is value. When choosing a supplement stack, ensure that the same company makes the stack you choose. The best example of how supplement stacks create value is using of creatine. 
• Creatine intake only replenishes the amounts of phosphocreatine available in muscle tissue, making its effects less noticeable than other supplements. Creatine is often added to protein powder, pre and post-workouts, to replenish phosphocreatine in the muscle tissue. 
• If you pick products off the shelf without looking at the ingredient list, you will consume more creatine than is needed. Let’s say your pre- and post-workouts contain creatine, and you also take a standalone creatine supplement. This will cause you to spend a lot on supplements you already take in your pre- and post-workouts.
• Supplement stacks create value by combining various ingredients to ensure that you do not buy other products containing the same active compound. Using a supplement stack is more budget-friendly than choosing various products from the shelf.
• Another benefit of supplement stacks is increased energy and focus. With a combination of active ingredients, supplement stacks offer you more energy and focus during your training.
• Muscle-building and performance supplement stacks often contain caffeine, a stimulant vital in giving you focus during training. It also increases your metabolism by stimulating the release of adrenaline, ensuring more energy is produced during training. Elevated adrenaline levels ensure you power through your workout and hit your fitness goals. 

Supplement Stacks For Beginners

In your journey to achieving your fitness goals, you need a variety of supplements. The supplements you choose should align with your fitness goals and be compatible with your lifestyle. 

Choosing the right supplement ensures your body receives all the nutrients it needs to develop into your desired physique. 

What are the essential supplements every beginner needs pre and post-workout? 

Whey protein

Whey protein is the most popular protein supplement on the market. It is extracted from whey, the watery portion of milk. Whey contains all the 9 essential amino acids that are not produced naturally in the body, ensuring  proper protein synthesis into muscle tissue. 

With the proper amount of protein in your diet, you can build muscle since protein is the building block of tissues. Whey protein is an essential supplement for a beginner because it is a 'fast protein.' 

A fast protein is a protein source that is easily broken down and absorbed into the bloodstream to ensure that muscles receive the required amino acids for them to develop. Whey differs from casein since casein is a slow protein that is harder to break down and absorb.

Creatine

Creatine occurs naturally in the body as phosphocreatine and is the most studied supplement in the world. Creatine is abundant in animal products such as meat, fish, and seafood. Phosphocreatine helps in muscle development by increasing the resilience of muscle tissue. It also contains high levels of leucine, an amino acid vital in protein synthesis at both the genetic and molecular levels. 

Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)

Branched-chain amino acids are essential amino acids not produced naturally in the body. They include leucine, valine, and isoleucine. BCAAs are an essential supplement since they promote muscle growth during the recovery phase of your workout. They also increase protein synthesis into muscle tissue, encouraging further development of your muscle tissue. 

Pre-Workout Supplements

A pre-workout supplement is primarily taken before your workout. It contains various ingredients such as protein powder, creatine, stimulants, and BCAAs at different doses to ensure you get all the nutrients you need during your workout. 

Protein powder in pre-workouts provides your muscles with the protein needed during their repair. Protein powder works with stimulants and BCAAs, which encourage fat-burning and protein synthesis, respectively. This is important to ensure that your muscles receive all the required nutrients for their growth and development. 

According to research, taking protein pre-workout is better than post-workout. This is because the protein taken before your workout is efficiently utilized by your body in conjunction with other ingredients found in pre-workout. Post-workout supplements only provide a boost in the protein available. If you’re a beginner, pre-workout supplements may be better than post-workout.

A Step-By-Step Guide To Building A Supplement Stack

In order to build the best supplement stack compatible with your lifestyle, you need to make several considerations. The primary consideration should be  what you hope to achieve by the end of your journey. To lose weight, build a stack compatible with your end goal. It would help if you understood how different supplements work and their uses to build the best stack. 

This part of the article will guide you on how to build a supplement stack compatible with your goals.

As earlier stated, the first consideration you need to make when building a supplement stack is the goal of your stacking. If you want to lose weight or build muscle, build a stack to help you achieve that goal. This step requires a lot of research since many products in the market help you achieve specific goals. 

It is crucial to ensure you have the motivation to achieve your goal because fitness is not a walk in the park.

The second consideration you must make is understanding the ingredients in various supplements. You need to understand the ingredients to help you achieve your fitness goal to build the optimal stack. If you want to build muscle, it is recommended that you include ingredients such as protein powder, stimulants, and Branched-chain amino acids. These ingredients are vital in muscle building since they include protein and compounds that stimulate protein synthesis into tissue. 

The last consideration you should make is your budget. The supplement market is saturated with numerous products at different price points. It is essential to consider the best price point within your budget. 

You do not have to break the bank to achieve your goals; hence, ensure you pick budget-friendly options.

Safety Precautions And Side Effects

Supplement stacks are relatively safe to use. However, it is vital that you consider the side effects and precautions associated with ingredients in your stacks. Common side effects associated with stacking include:

• Nausea 
• Hyperactivity 
• Stomach cramps
• Heart arrhythmia 
• Anxiety
• Vomiting 

People with food sensitivities and allergies need to ensure that their stacks' constituent ingredients do not contain allergens and compounds they are sensitive to. Common allergens and sensitivities include soy, caffeine, gluten, and dairy.

You should always adhere to the recommended doses listed on the packaging. Taking more than the recommended dose may cause adverse side effects such as confusion and heart arrhythmia for high stimulant supplements.

Protein Powder: A Vital Supplement For Every Stack

Protein powder is a must-have in your supplement stack to build muscle, improve your performance, or lose weight. Protein powder is a multi-functional supplement beneficial in muscle building and weight loss. 

As a muscle-building supplement, protein powder is used as the building block of muscle tissue. Its amino acids synthesize protein into the tissue by repairing muscle fibers. As a weight loss supplement, protein powder improves satiety and encourages fat loss. Protein is harder to break down than fats and carbs, making you feel full after consumption. Carbs and fats are broken down, making your stomach empty and encouraging you to eat more. Protein, on the other hand, is harder to break down and makes you feel full. 

There are several sources of protein powder. The two primary sources are plant-based and animal-based protein powders. Animal-based protein powders are extracted from animal products such as milk and eggs. Milk is the most widely used source of protein since it produces whey and casein protein. Plant-based protein powders include soy, peas, hemp, and beans. 

How To Choose The Right Protein Powder

Match your protein powder with your needs. Your goals will determine the best protein powder compatible with your needs. To build muscle, you should choose a protein powder with high protein content and branched-chain amino acids. These ingredients give your muscles the building blocks to help them develop and grow. To lose weight, choose protein powders with no added sugars and sweeteners since the sweeteners are extracted from carbs. It would be best to avoid protein powders with BCAAs since BCAAs will promote weight gain and not loss. 

Another consideration you need to make is your diet. Is your diet providing you with enough protein to achieve your goals? If not, you need to increase your protein intake by choosing a high-protein powder to supplement your protein intake. If you already consume adequate protein from other sources, you should choose a low-protein option to ensure you do not consume too much protein.

If you are a vegan, choose protein powders that are compatible with your lifestyle. You do not have to change your lifestyle to supplement your protein intake. It is vital to ensure that while choosing a protein powder, it is compatible with your vegan lifestyle. Plant-based protein powders are just as effective as animal-based protein powders.

The last consideration you should make is your allergies and food sensitivities. Some protein sources like soy are allergens and should be avoided by individuals with soy allergies. Allergies can harm your health and may cause death if severe enough. 

Avoid allergens by reading the ingredient list to determine the composition of the protein powder. Other common allergens include gluten, lactose, and milk proteins which may cause side effects to people sensitive to them.

Types of Supplement Stacks For Beginners

Pre-Workout Supplement Stacks

A pre-workout supplement stack is the use of different pre-workout products to ensure you get the best results in your workout. Pre-workout predominantly provides protein and an energy boost during your workout. To build the perfect pre-workout supplement stack, you need to ensure it contains the ingredients that help you in different aspects of your workout.

To build muscle, ensure your pre-workout stack contains a high protein content coupled with Branched-chain amino acids that improve protein synthesis into muscle tissue. 

To increase your pump performance and recovery, it is essential for your pre-workout stack to contain the following ingredients: L-Citrulline, Beta-alanine, and creatine monohydrate. Beta-alanine has been shown to increase muscle resistance by inhibiting the build-up of lactic acid. 

The pain you feel in your muscles when you are about to fail your set is caused by lactic acid build-up. Beta-alanine prevents lactic acid build-up, ensuring you work out longer and more intensely.

To improve your focus and offer an energy boost, ensure your supplement stack contains stimulants such as caffeine and capsaicin. These stimulants ensure that an increased metabolism burns down additional fat to provide your muscles with the energy to power through your workout.

Post-Workout Supplement Stacks

Post-workout supplement stacks are designed to replenish the nutrients depleted during your workout. Post-workout supplement stacks should contain a high protein content synthesized into muscle tissue. 

The recovery phase of your workout is crucial since that is where noticeable changes occur. The fusion of muscle fibers increases the strength of your muscles, while protein synthesis ensures muscle growth. Whey protein offers the best protein quality and is vital in your post-workout supplement stack.

For the best results, ensure that your post-workout supplement contains creatine to replenish the supplies of phosphocreatine in your muscle tissue. Elevated phosphocreatine in your muscle tissue has been proven to improve your performance in high-intensity workouts. Phosphocreatine is broken down to release ATP that satellite cells use to fuse the muscle fibers. 

Another essential post-workout ingredient is BCAA. BCAAs provide the building blocks used in the development of muscle tissue. It is essential that you include them in your post-workout supplement stack. 

Multivitamin Supplement Stacks

Multivitamin supplement stacks combine vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients to give your body some essential nutrients. Multivitamin supplement stacks provide your body with vitamins and minerals you may not receive from your diet. They supplement under-consumed minerals such as magnesium, which is essential in many bodily functions. These supplement stacks also provide dietary fiber, which is beneficial in the prevention of digestive distress and constipation. 

The best multivitamin stack should contain a blend of the following ingredients: Vitamins D, B-12, B-6, and K, magnesium, folate, iron, zinc, and calcium. Vitamin B-12 complex is essential in improved brain function by ensuring that nerves and cells remain healthy. It also ensures that genetic material, such as DNA, is protected from oxidation damage. Zinc is essential in improving immunity and is recommended for pregnant women to ensure the fetus is healthy in the womb.

Fat-Burner And Weight-Loss Supplement Stacks

Fat-burner supplement stacks are supplement stacks that are used to increase fat metabolism acutely. They inhibit fat absorption and encourage fat oxidation to boost the energy needed during your active hours. Fat-burner supplements may be thermogenic if they contain stimulants used to increase the body's resting metabolic rate, encouraging weight loss.

A good fat-burning supplement should contain caffeine, green tea extract, yohimbe, capsaicin, and soluble fiber. Caffeine, as an active ingredient in fat-burning supplements, stimulates the production of adrenaline. Adrenaline encourages releasing fatty acids into the bloodstream to be broken down for energy. Green tea extract, as an active ingredient, inhibits the breakdown of catecholamines. Catecholamines enhance the activity of dopamine and epinephrin, which encourage the breakdown of fat to release energy.

Muscle-Building Supplement Stacks

Muscle-building supplement stacks are the most extensive supplement stacks. They need to contain a variety of ingredients depending on your fitness targets. It would help if you considered blending the following ingredients to ensure the best results.

• Whey protein powder. Whey protein powder contains the highest protein content of any protein powder. It is a complete protein and provides the muscle tissue with the 9 essential amino acids required for protein synthesis. Being a fast protein, it is easily digested and absorbed to provide your body with additional protein for muscle development.
• Creatine Monohydrate. Creatine has been proven to be beneficial in the improvement of performance during high-intensity workouts. It stimulates protein synthesis and replenishes the body's phosphocreatine reserves.
• BCAAs. Branched-chain amino acids are vital in muscle-building and development. They include amino acids such as leucine, isoleucine, and valine which improve muscle growth through increased protein synthesis. 
• Testosterone boosters. Testosterone boosters inhibit the action of estrogen. Estrogen does not support muscle development, while testosterone does. To gain muscle, you need to boost your testosterone levels and inhibit the increase of estrogen.

Performance Supplement Stacks 

Are you looking to work out harder and build resilience in the gym? Build a supplement stack that will help you hit your fitness goals. To ensure the best results, ensure your supplement stack contains the following ingredients:

• Pre-workouts. The pre-workout formula boosts your muscle tissue energy to ensure you can pump harder and for longer. Pre-workouts also provide your body with stimulants that improve your focus to ensure you reach your workout regime goals. When combined with a protein source, pre-workouts give your body the essential nutrients to build muscle endurance.
• Intra-workout supplements. Intra-workout supplements are taken during active training exercises. They enable you to push harder in the gym while replenishing the electrolytes you lose during your workout. Since your body needs easy access to energy, intra-workout supplements contain carbs that are easily broken down to release energy used during your training. All these ingredients and BCAAs ensure you grow stronger and more resilient in your resistance training regimen.

Omega- 3 Supplement Stacks

Omega - 3 supplements are very beneficial to bodily functions. They may improve cognitive development, reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, help with anxiety and depression, reduce inflammation, and may reduce autoimmune diseases. With all these benefits, it is vital to incorporate omega-3 into your diet or supplement stack. 

Basic Warning Against Stacking

1. You need to take some precautions when supplement stacking. Firstly, consult your primary healthcare provider before use. Ensure that the products in the stack do not contain components that might interact with your medication. Some ingredients, such as caffeine, have a negative effect on some medications. To avoid this, consult your doctor before starting supplement stacking.
2. Always take the recommended doses. It is vital that you follow the dosage instructions listed on the packaging. This ensures you do not have adverse side effects like heart arrhythmia due to overdosing on stimulants like caffeine. If you experience adverse side effects, call your doctor for further assistance.
3. Ensure you avoid allergens and compounds you are sensitive to. Common allergens include soy, milk proteins, lactose, and hemp. It is essential to avoid the consumption of these allergens to ensure you do not experience an allergic reaction. Gluten is also a common food sensitivity you should avoid if you are intolerant.

Conclusion

Supplement stacking ensures you get the best possible results as fast as possible. Supplement stacking has numerous benefits, such as weight loss, fat-burning, improved performance, muscle-building, and supplementing nutrient intake. 

When building a supplement stack, it is crucial to consider your intolerances, allergens, and budget. It should also be compatible with your lifestyle to ensure the best results. 

The key takeaway of this article is that you should build a supplement stack that aligns with what you want to achieve at the gym. Whether it is weight loss, muscle-building, fat-burning, or increasing your performance, supplement stacking is ideal for achieving your goals.