The fact of the matter is that building muscle isn’t easy. While you can certainly gain muscle simply by dieting appropriately and lifting regularly, it’s likely going to be a slow process.

Looking to speed up the muscle building process as much as possible? There are a number of supplements out there which can help you.

Wondering what these supplements are? Here are the top 10 best muscle building supplements of 2018.

The Best Muscle Building Supplements

1. Whey Protein

By far, the most important of all muscle building supplements is whey protein. Derived from milk, this protein comes in a powder form and can be stirred into a variety of different beverages, from water to milk to chocolate shakes and more.

Whey protein is effective because it works very quickly. Once consumed, it will typically make its way to your muscles within 30 minutes. For this reason, it’s often used both directly before and after weight training sessions.

Take it from supplement distributor Muscle Freaks Nutrition: if there’s one supplement you’re going to use for muscle growth, it should be whey protein.

2. Casein Protein

Also derived from milk, casein protein powder is another commonly used muscle building supplement. Like whey protein, it can be stirred into just about any type of beverage you can imagine.

Casein works more slowly than whey, reaching the muscles at a crawling pace throughout the day. For this reason, it’s very often consumed just before sleep.

By consuming casein at this time, you supply your muscles with a constant stream of protein. This can help reduce muscle loss throughout the night.

3. Beta-Alanine

Carnosine is a chemical in the human body which has been shown to increase both strength and energy. Those who have more carnosine in their bodies can lift heavier, lift longer, and build more muscle.

How do you get your body to produce more carnosine? Taking beta-alanine can help. Beta-alanine is an amino acid which, when connected with the amino acid histidine, creates carnosine.

Taking beta-alanine directly before and after a workout can help you to not only gain muscle but to lose body fat as well.

4. BCAAs

Branched-chain amino acids or BCAAs are vital to the repair and rebuilding of broken-down muscle. These acids include leucine, isoleucine, and valine, and can be taken together as one supplement.

In addition to building muscle, BCAAs will improve energy levels, do away with DOMS (delayed-onset muscle soreness), and reduce muscle loss. In essence, taking BCAAs before and after workouts can make a world of difference in your muscle building quest.

5. Creatine

One of the absolute best supplements for muscle gain is creatine. Typically taken before and after workouts in the form of a shake, creatine has been positively correlated with muscle growth in a wide variety of individuals.

This supplement spurs on muscle growth by improving energy levels, by directing water to the muscles, and by increasing the amount of insulin in muscles. Taking in on a regular basis will allow you to knock out more reps in the gym, thus allowing for more rapid muscle growth.

6. Glutamine

Glutamine is an amino acid which spurs on muscle growth, reduces muscle loss, and strengthens the immune system. In addition to these things, it also reduces muscle fatigue, increases levels of growth hormone, and improves the body’s ability to burn calories. This supplement will help you to burn off more calories during both exercise and rest.

It’s recommended that you take glutamine around four times a day. Not only should you take it before and after workouts, but in the morning and at night as well.

7. Carnitine

Carnitine is seen by many as one of the best workout supplements, period. Not only does it aid in muscle growth, but in weight loss as well. It does this by increasing testosterone levels, by increasing the number of testosterone receptors in muscles, and by directing blood flow to the muscles.

Ideally, you will take carnitine four times throughout the day: when you wake up, before a workout, after a workout, and before you go to sleep. Doing this on a regular basis along with lifting will almost certainly result in substantial muscle growth.

8. ZMA

If you lift weights strenuously, you should be utilizing ZMA. This is a supplement consisting of zinc, vitamin B6, and magnesium aspartate. It helps regulate the hormones within the body, aiding in sleep for those who hit the gym particularly hard.

ZMA also increases testosterone in the body, allowing for increased muscle growth.

Unlike other supplements on our list, ZMA only needs to be taken once a day. In most cases, taking it directly before bedtime will deliver the best results. If you can, you should take it on an empty stomach.

9. Nitric Oxide Boosters

If your goal is to increase the blood flow to your muscles, you might consider using nitric oxide boosters. These boosters are capable of dilating the blood vessels, causing blood to flow to the muscles at a much more rapid pace than it otherwise would.

Taking these boosters will not only provide you with more energy, it will allow for your muscles to recover more quickly after a strenuous workout. In the long run, you will gain muscle, lose fat, and increase in strength.

This supplement should be taken four times a day: in the morning, before a workout, after a workout, and right before bedtime.

10. Caffeine

It’s simple: if you don’t have any energy, you’re not going to be able to lift weights. If you don’t lift weights, you’re not going to gain any muscle. Therefore, you have to do everything in your power to get your energy levels up.

What supplement can help with energy levels? Caffeine! In addition to improving your energy levels, it will also promote mental alertness.

You should ingest caffeine when you wake up as well as before and after workouts.

Looking for More Muscle Building Tips?

Now that you’ve read about the best muscle building supplements of 2018, you might be on the lookout for more muscle building tips. If so, SkinnyFatGuy can help.

We’ve got tons of information on everything from supplements, to workout routines, to meal prep, and more. By following our guidance, you’ll be saying goodbye to your skinny fat body in no time!