Which Supplements Are Good for CrossFit?
First of all, what is CrossFit? To work out which supplements are well suited for the sport, lets understand the concept.
Meaning ‘Cross-Discipline Fitness’ - Crossfit is a registered trademark and branded fitness regimen, promoted as a philosophy and competitive fitness sport. It involves performing continually varied functional movements at high intensity. The concept of Crossfit is practiced by members of Cross-fit affiliated gyms in over 150 different countries, and by individuals who complete daily workouts known as WODs (workouts of the day). Performance on each WOD is often scored/ranked to encourage competition and to track individual progress.
Crossfit is great for strength-building conditioning and overall fitness as it incorporates elements of cardio, heavy lifting, mobility work, flexibility, and body control from lots of different exercise techniques, including - HIIT training, Olympic weightlifting, plyometrics, gymnastics, powerlifting, kettlebell, strongman, and calisthenics (body weight exercises).
The ten components of physical fitness Crossfit aims to improve our cardiovascular endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy.
So, knowing what aspects of fitness we are trying to target, what supplements are good for Crossfit to help you progress and achieve results?
Pre workout is good place to start… A pre workout supplement should help you to find the motivation and focus needed to get the best out of your WOD. It should increase your energy levels for your workout as well as reducing the build up of lactic acid – helping you to work longer at the high intensities required of Crossfit. A pre workout should work to increase blood flow to the muscles, delivering more nutrients and oxygen to prevent fatigue build-up and help decrease levels of soreness after each WOD.
PRE WOD is a functional fitness supplement that combines all these qualities needed in a key pre workout product, and comes in 3 delicious flavours – Rainbow Candies, Cherry Cola Bottles and Juicy Lemon. It contains Beta-Alanine which has been shown to enhance muscular endurance during high-intensity exercise [1]. Caffeine and guarana will help you to feel energised for your workout. The amino acid L-Tyrosine is also present to improve focus – it is an essential to produce certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. The addition of the patented plant derived compound Astragin® helps increase your body’s capacity to absorb key nutrients - amino acids, proteins, and glucose, ensuring you reap benefits from every serving. Consume just 30 minutes before exercise for increased buzz and natural energy levels.
CREATINE is also another fundamental supplement popular for CrossFitters in their quest for strength development. Creatine and its influence on physical performance has been well researched and documented. Creatine is an organic compound that is used in the body to make ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). ATP is the primary energy carrier in the body, providing energy for muscle contractions. Creatine generates into phosphocreatine (also known as Creatine Phosphate facilitating the recycling of ATP, by converting ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate) back to ATP via the donation of phosphate groups. Supplementing with creatine can help to optimise levels in the body, meaning more energy in your muscles - enabling you to train harder, and proving beneficial to strength and power sports. It is particularly suited to successive short bouts of quick energy and high intensity exercise such as sprinting, weightlifting and HIIT training. It has proven to be successful in enhancing muscle mass and achieving bursts of speed and strength – Perfect for functional fitness training. Try a 12-week cycle initially and see the difference it can make!
An effective intra workout supplement is another important addition to the CrossFit lifestyle. The purpose of taking such a product during your workout is to provide support throughout and maximise your performance. Functional fitness training sessions and competitions can be long and intense – rapidly depleting energy reserves. Replenishing glucose and nutrients throughout training and in between events is essential to ensure you can continue to power through and consistently give it your all. Available in a range of tasty flavours, WOD FUEL combines all the essential ingredients needed (dextrin, BCAAs, citrulline malate, taurine, L-Glutamine and electrolytes). It’s pivotal in replenishing salts, nutrients and glycogen stores, increasing energy levels and enhancing nitric oxide production – delaying muscle fatigue and boosting achievements throughout, whilst aiding recovery time and improving muscle soreness. WOD FUEL uses the patented ingredient Cluster Dextrin® over less advanced carbohydrates like pure glucose/dextrose or maltodextrin that can cause spikes. With Cluster Dextrin® there is a reduced chance of any gastric distress during sessions. It is a low GI, highly branched cyclic dextrin with high molecular weight and ultra-low osmolarity. It digests quickly in the gut but provides a steadier increase in blood sugar levels over time – to deliver smooth and constant energy and replenish muscle glycogen stores.
Another essential part of Crossfit training is the post-workout recovery. It is especially important for Crossfitters to provide the body with a quality profile of all the amino acids required for muscle building, strength, and repair – helping to rebuild lean muscle tissue. Protein supplements are the perfect way to do this. They are convenient and an easy way to meet the additional requirements your body will have following such high intensity training. High quality protein can boost recovery, increase muscle mass and enhance muscle performance to reduce fatigue and improve endurance. Protein shakes can make a quick and easy protein source.
It is important to choose a high quality protein powder that is free from additional sugars.
For anyone training on a plant-based diet then WOD Powders VEGAN PROTEIN is a solid alternative. From a blend of plant-based sources - pea, brown rice, and hemp, and added amino acids: Leucine, Isoleucine & Valine. It contains over 70g protein per 100g, and is low in sugar - just 1g of carbs per serving. Tasty with great natural flavours and no artificial sweeteners or colours. Consume as a shake with water or any plant-based milk, or you can even try adding them to smoothies or oats for an additional protein boost. Try Vanilla Custard or Chocolate Caramel Cups flavour.
Participating at such high intensities and with aspects such as flexibility, agility, co-ordination, and balance being crucial to Crossfit, it is important to look after your joints throughout. The high-impact movements of Crossfit, means maintaining stable joint structures will assist performance and lessen the risk of potential injury. Look no further than WOD FLEX for your joint care needs. With 2 fruity flavours – Sweet Cherry and Fruit Punch, WOD FLEX packs in 9 active ingredients to maintain joint and bone health. These include – Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulphate, MSM, Calcium, Vitamin C, and Boswellia Serrate. We have paired these alongside Tendoforte® - a composition of specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides® which have been specifically isolated for the repair of collagen-based tissues (ligaments and tendons). Celadrin® - a natural anti-inflammatory supported by science, induces changes in the cell membranes to assist healthy joint function. It reduces discomfort in joints quickly by decreasing inflammation and lubricating cell membranes throughout the body to restore the fluid cushioning bones and joints, and promote flexibility and mobility. Ovomet® - Eggshell membrane which has four main benefits to joints - Anti-Inflammatory, analgesic, joint regeneration, and tendon protection. Evidence produced by studies in both sport participants and the elderly support the notion that it can be effective in helping joint function - strengthening joints, reducing pain, and treating people with osteoarthritis and arthritis. Clinical trials show significantly positive short-term benefits in as little as 7 to 10 days – with reductions in joint pain, improved mobility, and joint function. Longer term, studies have shown improvements in the functionality of joints [2].
A high quality joint formula is just as important for the everyday, as well as for looking after your long term athletic ability and flexibility.
So, there we have a selection of supplements good for Crossfit.
WOD Powders has been formulated to improve different aspects of functional fitness training and accelerate your progress. At WOD Powders we will give you transparency on our labels so that you know the exact amounts of each active ingredient. For detailed ingredients and further product information visit https://www.wodpowders.co.uk/
Disclaimer: WOD Powders is not associated with CrossFit® in any way and these opinions are separate from the CrossFit® brand.
