Sam Sulek has blown up on Youtube in the past year, but which supplements have helped him blow up his physique? In this article we’ll discuss the supplements and vitamins the Youtube sensation takes to maximize his performance, gains and recovery.
While Sam is likely using a “secret sauce” or two to enhance his muscle-building potential and recovery he talks freely about the over-the-counter supplements he takes. The bodybuilder mentions creatine, vitamins, and pre-workout are “the big three in terms of supplementation” Let’s take a more in depth look at which supplements and vitamins he takes and why he takes them.
Why Supplementation is Important
Mainly due to a decrease in soil quality and an increase in chemicals being used when food is processed, the amount of nutrients in food has decreased in recent decades. These micronutrients are required for our bodies to function normally. Modern Western diets especially are lacking in vital nutrients.
Sam Sulek is well aware of the decrease in nutrients in our foods and he states that he takes supplements to “fill in deficiencies that I have in my diet.” Nutrients and minerals not only help us perform our normal bodily functions, but they can help us perform to our best ability in the gym.
When talking about the basic requirements of performing well in the gym and building muscle Sam states: “Primary ones: food obviously, track your protein, get your carbs in, electrolytes and hydration, get your sleep, take a men’s multivitamin.”
Sam believes that you should utilize certain supplements and vitamins to boost your performance in the gym, as well as aiding your recovery. He says: “Any lifter worth their salt has a dedicated cabinet in the kitchen full of all the pre-workout, vitamins, creatine, beta alanine, aminos and protein. Those things are not just like stereotypical for lifters they’re done for a reason. Why not try to maximize every vector of improved performance that you’re willing to do.”
Which Vitamins does Sam Sulek take?
Sam Sulek takes a men’s multivitamin. After initially taking it at different times throughout the day he now takes it on morning as the B Vitamins it contains can keep you awake at night.
The bodybuilder notes the importance of supplementing with a multivitamin due to the deficiencies in our diets and lifestyles: “You should get the majority of your micronutrients through food but I can almost guarantee you’ve got some deficiencies. Be it Vitamin D3, Iron, Magnesium, whatever. I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to take a multivitamin.”
He continues: “Vitamins aren’t just going to make you feel better like that but all your processes in your body are going to be a bit more, let’s just say - effective. Because you’ve got all your micronutrients available.”
Sam mentions magnesium, zinc, potassium, calcium, B12 and B Complex among others are contained in the multivitamin he takes. He believes there’s no need to overthink it, saying: “If you’re curious about the vitamins, just go to the vitamin section of your grocery store, grab a men’s multivitamin and some fish oil and you’re good. That’s all you f#cking need.”
As well as taking a multivitamin daily, Sam Sulek also supplements fish oil. He says: “Take a couple of fish oil before you go to bed”. Fish oil which contains EPA and DHA is great for joint health. Lifting heavy weights can take a toll our joints. Fish oil also has benefits that are linked to brain health and eye health.
Does Sam Sulek Take Creatine?
Sam Sulek is an advocate for maximizing muscle gains as much as possible and he takes creatine daily. He says: “Creatine is another known improver of performance.”
He continues: “Why the f#ck aren’t you taking creatine, man? More ATP production. Scientifically proven – more gains.”
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) plays a fundamental role in metabolism and muscle function. It is the most basic form of energy in your body’s cells. When training intensely you require more ATP than your body can produce naturally. This is where creatine comes in. Creatine increases your body’s stores of phosphocreatine, and this produces new ATP as you are exercising. This ultimately allows you to train harder for longer during a workout and consequently stimulate more muscle growth.
The ATP production stimulated by supplementing creatine provides more strength and power during a gym session. Creatine is one of the most highly researched supplements on the market. An 8-week study found that creatine increased muscle mass, increased strength on bench press and reduced myostatin, a protein that inhibits muscle cell growth.
Sam Sulek’s Pre-Workout
Sam Sulek preaches that taking a pre-workout is vital for maximizing performance in the gym and increasing how pumped your muscles get during and after the workout. He says: “Pre-workout? That’s definitely up there with some of the best things you could be doing for lifting.”
Pre-workout can help improve performance, strength, endurance, and intensity during a workout. Sam says: ““Nowadays I am 100% a pre-workout advocate. You’re just going to have better lifts.”
Sam mentions that he stacks a pre-workout which contains stimulants with a non-stimulant powder formulated to maximize the pump. These being Hosstile Hosstility Pre-Workout and Hosstile Bloodshot Pump Endurance Matrix respectively.
Studies have shown that caffeine can increase pain tolerance. Sam mentions that: “Caffeine will increase your pain tolerance. So, you’re going to be able to force out a couple more reps which otherwise you would maybe call it quits on.”
Sam recommends getting a stimulant-free pre-workout if you are sensitive to caffeine. Caffeine can stay in the system for up to 12 hours and negatively affect sleep for some people. A lack of sleep will in turn limit muscle recovery and muscle growth.
Summary
Sam Sulek takes a men’s multivitamin to ensure he’s covering any deficiencies he has due to there being less minerals and nutrients in today’s food. The various vitamins in multivitamins help to support our normal bodily functions. He also takes fish oil before bed for joint health.
In terms of supplements, Sam Sulek takes creatine due to the proven strength, endurance and muscle mass gains it provides. He also takes a pre-workout mix to improve his performance in the gym and increase the muscle pump during and after the workout.
1 comment
I found this very useful actually m8.
Thanks