High-intensity, high-volume training requires that athletes fuel their bodies for performance before and during an all-out WOD, followed by a potent dose of nutrients for super-human recovery.

Due to the physical demands of this form of exercise, a whole food meal is not always an option, which is when well-formulated supplements really offer an edge.

These products are also developed to deliver exactly what the body needs, at the right time and in the most efficacious doses and forms. To help boost your performance in the box or at your next comp, here are our top supplement picks.

Whey protein powder

Protein is vital for recovery, repair and muscle growth, which means athletes will benefit greatly from consuming a highly bioavailable and complete protein source like Biogen Iso-Whey after a workout.

Whey is a tried and trusted product that offers all of these benefits. Taking before a workout, it also has the potential to limit muscle damage and kickstart the recovery process sooner.

Keep a shaker bottle, two scoops of powder and water with you at all times to get your protein fix as soon as that WOD ends.

READ MORE | Whey Your Options: Your Guide To Buying The Best Whey For Your Goals

Creatine

Creatine is the most studied performance-enhancing supplement on earth and the evidence supporting its efficacy and effectiveness is overwhelming.

Products like Biogen Creatine Monohydrate promote anaerobic strength and boosts power output, it extends time to muscular failure, and aids lean muscle gains. And creatine is also essential for recovery.

More importantly, under such intense training demands, your body cannot manufacture enough creatine, nor can your diet provide enough of it from whole food sources to satisfy the needs of a serious athlete. That’s why supplementing with it is essential.

READ MORE | Study Shows Creatine Fuels And Protects Muscle

Beta-Alanine

Beta-Alanine is an amino acid that helps to boost work capacity and power output at your lactate threshold – and those who train at high intensities know all about lactate.

As such, including a supplement like Biogen Beta-Alanine or a pre-workout that contains this effective ingredient, like the new Biogen Rampage, has the potential to delay fatigue.

Some research also indicates that it has benefits for sub-maximal endurance performance as well.

READ MORE | Beta-Alanine: A Research-Backed Supplement That Delivers Performance-Enhancing Benefits

Branched Chain Amino Acids


BCAAs taken either immediately before or during prolonged exercise may help prolong performance and reduce markers of muscle damage and inflammation after a WOD.

BCAAs in supplemental form, like those found in Biogen Amino Power+, are highly bioavailable, making them ideal for use in a pre-workout drink as they offer a muscle-sparing benefit because they’re preferentially metabolised to form glucose when there’s a lack of glycogen in the body.

READ MORE | Know Your Amino Acids: We Unpack The Difference Between BCAA And EAA Supplements

Carnitine

Supplemental carnitine, like Biogen’s L-Carnitine Liquid, is an amino acid that helps improve metabolic efficiency by transporting free fatty acids across the mitochondrial membrane, where they are metabolised for energy.

By helping to convert energy-dense fatty acids into energy, L-carnitine can help increase endurance, allowing you to train harder for longer. It also increases the rate at which the liver utilises fat.

Any or all of these products may unleash the inner beast found in all of us. Once you have found the products that work for you, start stacking them together to maximise their effectiveness.