For athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike, the pursuit of strength, endurance, and overall performance is a constant journey. While regular training and a balanced diet are foundational to reaching your goals, supplements can provide the extra edge needed to optimize muscle strength, recovery, and performance.
Designs for Sport offers a line of high-quality supplements specifically designed to support the needs of active individuals. From improving muscle recovery to increasing endurance, these products are more than just a convenience they are tools for unlocking your body’s full potential.
How Can Supplements Help Improve Muscle Strength?
Muscle strength isn’t built overnight it requires consistent training, proper nutrition, and the right support. Supplements can be essential for maximizing the impact of your workouts and ensuring your body is equipped to handle the strain. Below, we break down some of the key supplements from Designs for Sport and how they can help improve muscle strength, backed by scientific evidence:
Amino Complex
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and they play a critical role in muscle recovery and growth. During exercise, muscle fibres experience microtears, and amino acids are vital for repairing and rebuilding those fibres, making them stronger.
Evidence: Several studies have shown that supplementing with essential amino acids (EAAs) can significantly improve muscle protein synthesis, helping muscles recover more effectively after intense exercise. This leads to faster recovery times and enhanced muscle growth over time.1
Designs for Sport Amino Complex provides a concentrated dose of amino acids and it can help accelerate the recovery process, allowing for better muscle repair and strength development.
Creatine Monohydrate
Creatine is one of the most well-researched and effective supplements when it comes to enhancing muscle strength and performance. It works by increasing the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the primary energy source used during high-intensity, short-duration activities like lifting weights or sprinting.
Evidence: Numerous studies have demonstrated that creatine supplementation can enhance strength, power, and muscle mass. A landmark meta-analysis found that creatine supplementation increased strength by an average of 8% to 14% in resistance training exercises.2
Designs for Sport Creatine Monohydrate can help athletes perform more repetitions at a higher intensity, promoting greater muscle strength over time.
Omega 3 Hi-Po
Omega-3 fatty acids are well-known for their benefits to heart health, but they also play a critical role in muscle health and recovery. Omega-3s help reduce inflammation in the body, which can be particularly beneficial for athletes experiencing soreness or joint discomfort from heavy training.
Evidence: Research indicates that omega-3 supplementation can reduce muscle soreness following exercise, improve muscle function, and even prevent the breakdown of muscle tissue. One study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that omega-3 supplementation improved muscle strength in older adults, which could also be beneficial for athletes in any age group.3
Benefit: By incorporating Omega 3 Hi-Po into your routine, you’re providing your body with the essential fatty acids it needs to reduce inflammation, support joint health, and maintain optimal muscle function.
Collagen Complex
Collagen is a key protein that supports the structure of connective tissues, including tendons, ligaments, and joints. For athletes, collagen supplementation can be especially important for maintaining strong and flexible joints, which directly affects your ability to train and build muscle.
Evidence: Studies have shown that collagen supplementation can improve joint health and reduce the risk of injuries, which could otherwise set back training efforts. Furthermore, collagen has been shown to increase the synthesis of other proteins necessary for muscle strength and recovery.4
Benefit: By supporting the structural integrity of joints, ligaments, and tendons, Collagen Complex helps ensure that you can continue to train at your full potential without the risk of injury hindering your progress.
Hydration Complex
Proper hydration is critical for muscle performance. Dehydration can impair muscle function, reduce endurance, and lead to increased fatigue. Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium help maintain fluid balance and muscle function during exercise.
Evidence: A study published in The Journal of Athletic Training found that electrolyte supplementation during exercise improved muscle performance and reduced the risk of cramps and dehydration-related fatigue.5
Benefit: The Hydration Complex from Designs for Sport ensures that you remain adequately hydrated, helping your muscles perform at their best during intense workouts and promoting better endurance and strength.
Magnesium Bis-glycinate
Magnesium is an essential mineral that supports over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including muscle function, nerve transmission, and energy production. Magnesium bisglycinate is a highly absorbable form of magnesium that is particularly beneficial for athletes who need to maintain muscle health and prevent cramps.
Evidence: Research indicates that magnesium supplementation can help improve muscle function, reduce cramps, and enhance overall exercise performance.
Benefit: Magnesium Bisglycinate helps maintain muscle relaxation and prevents muscle cramps, which can impede performance and recovery, ultimately contributing to improved strength.
Why Are These Supplements Important?
These supplements are essential tools for anyone looking to enhance muscle strength, recover more quickly, and improve overall performance. They work together to support your body’s nutritional needs during training, helping you push harder, recover faster, and build muscle more effectively. While protein intake is key for muscle growth, supplements like amino acids, creatine, and omega-3 fatty acids complement a solid workout regimen by improving muscle repair, reducing inflammation, and enhancing energy levels.
The Importance of Certifications
When selecting supplements, it's important to consider certifications that ensure their quality and safety. Designs for Sport products carry some of the most trusted certifications in the industry, including:
NSF Certified for Sport – This certification guarantees that products are free from banned substances and have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they are safe for athletes.
These certifications provide peace of mind, knowing that Designs for Sport products are safe, effective, and reliable, offering you the highest quality support for your athletic goals.
Supplements like those offered by Designs for Sport can have a profound impact on muscle strength, performance, and recovery. Whether it’s through improving muscle repair with amino acids, enhancing energy production with creatine, or supporting joint health with collagen, these products help athletes perform at their best. With certifications like NSF Certified for Sport, Designs for Sport ensures you are choosing safe, effective, and scientifically-backed products to take your training to the next level.
If you’re committed to improving your muscle strength and athletic performance, these supplements are the perfect addition to your fitness regimen.
1. Turnagöl HH, Koşar ŞN, Güzel Y, Aktitiz S, Atakan MM. Nutritional Considerations for Injury Prevention and Recovery in Combat Sports. Nutrients. 2021 Dec 23;14(1):53. doi: 10.3390/nu14010053. PMID: 35010929; PMCID: PMC8746600.
2. Rawson ES, Volek JS. Effects of creatine supplementation and resistance training on muscle strength and weightlifting performance. J Strength Cond Res. 2003 Nov;17(4):822-31. doi: 10.1519/1533-4287(2003)017<0822:eocsar>2.0.co;2. PMID: 14636102.
3. Huang YH, Chiu WC, Hsu YP, Lo YL, Wang YH. Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength and Muscle Performance among the Elderly: A Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2020 Dec 4;12(12):3739. doi: 10.3390/nu12123739. PMID: 33291698; PMCID: PMC7761957.
4. Martínez-Puig D, Costa-Larrión E, Rubio-Rodríguez N, Gálvez-Martín P. Collagen Supplementation for Joint Health: The Link between Composition and Scientific Knowledge. Nutrients. 2023 Mar 8;15(6):1332. doi: 10.3390/nu15061332. PMID: 36986062; PMCID: PMC10058045.
5. Jung AP, Bishop PA, Al-Nawwas A, Dale RB. Influence of Hydration and Electrolyte Supplementation on Incidence and Time to Onset of Exercise-Associated Muscle Cramps. J Athl Train. 2005 Jun;40(2):71-75. PMID: 15970952; PMCID: PMC1150229.