Working out at the gym or at home is obviously the best way to build muscle and endurance. That said, there’s only so much that the body can do and handle in a given time period. You can only push so hard and so far before your body starts to feel the effects.
However, this is where BCAAs come into play, essential branch chain amino acids which can help promote muscle growth, muscle recovery, and more. Today we want to take a look at the 5 best amino acids for muscle growth. Each one is a bit different, but they all have their specific benefits.
What are BCAAs?
BCAAs are the essential amino acids including leucine, isoleucine and valine. They make up about 35% of muscle protein in the human body.
They are known as being essential because your body does not make them on its own and they need to be ingested from outside sources, such as the amino acid or BCAA products we are about to look at.
In most cases they help to increase protein synthesis for muscle building, they can increase stamina/endurance, and they can also aid in faster muscle recovery after workouts.
Top 5 Amino Acids for Muscle Growth for 2020
Here is a review of the top 5 amino acids for muscle growth at this time.
XTEND Original BCAA Powder Mango
XTEND Original BCAA Powder is known to be the world’s leading BCAA brand as well as the world’s leading BCAA drink for muscle recovery. Based on scientific studies, it is shown that this product is best consumed intra-workout for speedy post-workout muscle recovery.
Each serving of this BCAA drink contains 7 grams of amino acids, 1.5 grams of glutamine, citrulline malate, and a proprietary blend of electrolytes to induce hydration. It’s a sugar-free way to power through a workout, allowing users to train harder and for longer without fatiguing. Keep in mind that this product is NSF and Informed Choice Certified.
Benefits
- Helps muscles recover post workout
- Provides energy to muscles during workout
- Helps build muscles
- Assists in fat burning
- 0 grams of sugar
- 0 grams of carbs
- Available in 15 flavors
Dosage
Mix 1 serving of XTEND Original BCAA Powder with 10 ounces of water. Consume during exercise.
OPTIMUM NUTRITION Instantized BCAA Capsules
OPTIMUM NUTRITION Instantized BCAA Capsules come in easy-to-swallow capsules that have no flavor whatsoever. Each capsule contains 1 gram of BCAAs with a 2:1:1 ratio of leucine, isoleucine, and valine. It is designed to help spare muscles and when taken after endurance training for fast recovery, as well as to assist in muscle building when consumed after strength training.
Each capsule contains no sugar or carbs and only 13 calories per serving. Keep in mind that this product is available in various sizes including 60, 200, and 400 capsules.
OPTIMUM NUTRITION Instantized BCAA Capsules are designed to be taken between meals, before training, and after workouts. What’s also important to note is that these BCAA capsules are keto-friendly. As you may be able to tell by the name, these are designed to absorb into the body as fast as possible.
Benefits
- Ideal for between meals, pre, and post workout
- No sugar or carbs
- Only 13 calories per serving
- Easy to swallow pill format
- Ideal for muscle recovery and growth
- Absorb instantly into the body
Dosage
Take 2 capsules between meals, before workouts, and after workouts.
Optimum Nutrition Essential Amino Energy
Optimum Nutrition Essential Amino Energy is designed to provide the body with a number of benefits, with one of the main ones being to provide you with a burst of energy before workouts. This product is designed to provide high levels of focus and energy to help you power through workouts. It can be used whether or not you plan on going to the gym.
It is loaded to the brim with a blend of amino acids as well as caffeine for a big time boost. Optimum Nutrition Essential Amino Energy is all about providing energy and focus, it aids in muscle recovery, and it can also help build muscle.
This product comes in over 10 different flavors to choose from, so there should be at least a couple which are enjoyable for you. Each serving contains only 1 gram of carbs, no fats, no sugars, and 4 calories. You can choose to get this product in various sizes including 30 and 65 servings, as well as a ready-to-drink 12 pack and an on-the-go 6 pack.
Benefits
- Increases mental focus
- Increased energy
- Fast amino acid delivery
- Aids in muscle recovery
- Aids in muscle growth
- Variety of flavors and sizes
- Available in on the go options
Dosage
- For pre workout energy: take 2 to 6 scoops 30 minutes prior to workout
- For post workout amino support: take 2 to 4 scoops 4 hours after training
- Due to its high caffeine content, do not exceed 10 scoops of Optimum Nutrition Essential Amino Energy per day.
Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy
Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy is designed to provide a number of benefits including mental focus, increased energy, muscle growth, endurance, and muscle recovery. Each serving comes complete with 5 grams of lean muscle building chain branch amino acids, 1.5 grams of endurance boosting amino acids, B vitamins, anti-oxidants, and natural energizers.
This product contains absolutely no fat, sugars, carbs, gluten, and calories, making it one of the healthier options around. This is a product that can be used at any time, although pre workout and post workout is best. Keep in mind that this product comes in 2 sizes — 30 and 65 servings. It also comes in well over 10 different flavors to choose from.
Benefits
- 5 grams BCAA per serving
- 5 grams energy boosting AAs per serving
- Boosts energy and endurance
- Aids in muscle growth and recovery
- Provides mental focus
- No sugar, carbs, fat, gluten, or calories
- Various sizes and flavors
Dosage
Take 2 scoops of Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy before, after, or during workouts.
BPI Sports Best BCAA
Each serving of BPI Sports Best BCAA comes loaded with 5 grams of BCAAs which are designed to absorb into the body very fast. There are also omega 6 fatty acids and CLA matrix included, which helps to support muscle recovery while also preventing muscle breakdown.
This product is designed to help muscles synthesize protein, to decrease protein catabolism, and to recover from exercise faster. Keep in mind that this product comes in a variety of sizes and many different flavors too.
Benefits
- Muscle growth
- Muscle recovery
- Decreased muscle catabolism
- Many flavors
- No sugar
Dosage
Take 1 scoop before training for performance, 1 scoop during workout to preserve muscle, and 1 after workout for muscle recovery.
Conclusion
The most important thing to remember is to always follow dosage instructions as directed on the product. Taking BCAAs regularly can and does increase overall performance, especially when a solid regiment is maintained over time.
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