Did you know that more than 3 million people in the United States use physical performance-enhancing supplements?
Protein shakes, amino drinks, and vitamins are used to increase endurance and make workouts more effective.
If you are interested in the benefits of fitness supplements, there are a few things you will want to avoid.
Continue reading to discover the most common fitness supplement purchasing errors you can make!
1. Overlooking the Ingredients
One of the worst fitness supplement purchasing errors that you can make is overlooking the ingredients list.
The ingredients help find products. This is because you might have sensitivities to certain items, be allergic, or not like the flavor.
There are so many supplements on the market that you might overlook the ingredients, thinking that they are natural. Unfortunately, a lot of the companies meet the minimum requirements for health and safety.
Look for supplements with a short ingredient list. It is best if you can read and know what each ingredient is so that you aren’t consuming chemicals or harmful items. Take time to research the ingredients of a new product you want to buy so that you know what you are putting into your body.
Knowing the ingredients will also help ensure that your needs are addressed and you see improvements in the desired areas.
2. Picking the Cheapest Choice
Comparing supplement prices will help you find the best choice, but even if you have a tight budget, you shouldn’t get the cheapest options.
Many supplements that run below the average price contain lower quality ingredients or are not as natural. Although you shouldn’t have to buy the most expensive choices, you should look for something in between.
If you have a small budget but want to try supplements, consider asking companies and stores for samples. This is a great way to try the different options and determine the effectiveness of the products. Trying the supplements will save you more money than buying cheap options.
Other ways that you can combat supplement prices are by asking for discounts and buying during promotions.
3. Not Looking at Reviews
Online customer reviews are one of the most helpful resources that you have when finding the right supplements.
People from around the world can share their experiences with a product and help you decide if it is the right choice for you. An advantage of looking at reviews is that you can get tips on how to make the supplements more effective and get the most benefits.
Not looking at reviews can leave you in the dark about a product, especially if there isn’t a detailed description of it online. You might also risk the chance of ordering from a fake company that is trying to take your money. If the company is not legitimate, other people are likely to have left a review about their negative experiences.
Keep in mind that management changes over time and issues do get addressed. If you have concerns about a company, based on reviews, either skip it or consult with their sales department.
4. Blindly-Following a Trend
A supplement store website will likely have the latest products on their home page for advertising.
Many people find themselves in a trap where they are blindly buying products when online influencers mention a brand name. Instead of focusing on superficial matters, you should focus on your goals and the progress you want to see.
Set all of the brand names, flavors, and trends aside. Ask yourself what your goals are and if the products will help you meet them. Check the ingredients to determine if they match up to what you want.
Everyone has their own fitness goals. What has worked well for one person might not work for another. Blindly following the latest trends can waste a lot of your money, or you may find that certain products aren’t effective.
5. Ignoring Side Effects
Most people don’t think about side effects when they are buying health supplements.
Unfortunately, many of the fitness supplements on the market cause side effects, primarily minor ones. The ingredients can be harmful with other medications or certain conditions. Sometimes products will also have side effects because of their potency and you not having a tolerance built up.
Some of the most common things that you might experience with supplements are nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness. You could also deal with vomiting, cramping, and heart problems in more severe cases.
Fitness supplements should have a product label that clearly states the side effects and correct dose. Never take more than the recommended doses in a day, as your risk for these side effects increases.
Simply getting too much zinc or vitamin C from supplements can cause side effects. Don’t ignore side effects or changes in your body when using these products. Make sure that your body can process the product.
6. Skipping Documentation
Not tracking your progress when you are trying new supplements can only hurt you.
You might try a lot of supplements in a short time and get them confused with each other. Tracking your weight, muscle mass, and other progress with each supplement can give you a lot of valuable information.
While you are trying different items, you will be able to look back and pick the supplements that you liked the best. A food journal and body measurements are also recommended to help monitor the progress of your supplements.
Buy a journal that you can keep close with you at all times. This will help remind you of your goals and keep you on track with a good timeline.
7. Not Asking for Help
A terrible thing that you can do when buying fitness supplements is ignore your resources.
An online supplement store, such as Wilsonsupplements.com, is a great place to get quality products. The company can help guide you through the process of finding the right products, based on their experience and knowledge.
Asking a sales associate for more information about a product can give you a lot of additional information to make an informed decision. Supplement company staff have likely tried the products themselves, know the pros and cons of each choice, and know how to make them most effective.
Not asking for help can lead to you making the wrong choice when you easily could have saved money and found the right item.
8. Taking Them Randomly
Do you go to the gym or wake up at different times each day of the week?
If so, you should create a routine for yourself. When taking supplements, you need to take the right combinations together and at the best time to get the best benefits.
Write down the types of supplements that you want to take each day. Use this list to buy only the products that you need. Much like going grocery shopping, a list will help keep you on track with goals and prevent you from buying nonsense items.
9. Buying in Small Quantities
It is hard to believe that you will go through an entire container of protein in a matter of days, but it isn’t uncommon.
Most people underestimate how frequently they need to be taking their supplements and how large the portions are. It can be beneficial to buy in smaller quantities if you are still trying to find the right products.
Once you have found your favorite items, start buying them in bulk to help save money and prevent yourself from making constant orders.
10. Getting Caffeine Powder
A boost of caffeine might not seem like a bad idea when it comes to working out, but you should avoid this ingredient.
When looking at supplements to purchase, keep an eye out for products containing caffeine powder. Although it helps improve attention and performance, it can lead to seizures and heart problems.
Monitor how much caffeine you consume each day. Whether you get caffeine from energy drinks, coffee, tea, or supplements, it could have negative effects. If you are feeling distracted, jittery, or shaky, cut back on the caffeine immediately and drink plenty of water.
Fitness Supplement Purchasing Errors
There are many fitness supplement purchasing errors that you can make as a new or experienced athlete.
Buying online can make it difficult to find an item if you prefer to shop at a physical store. By looking up company and product reviews, along with the side effects, you can find the best supplements for your goals.
Don’t get caught up in the latest fads, as you will likely waste money and time on products that don’t match your fitness goals.
Be sure to check out our blog for more articles about taking care of your health!