10 Best Supplements for CrossFit Athletes Backed By Science

crossfit athletes

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If you’re a CrossFit athlete, then you know that supplementing your body with the right nutrients are an important part of your diet.

But with so many different options on the market, it can be hard to figure out which are the best supplements for CrossFit athletes.

We’ve spent more than 6 hours researching scientific and research papers and in this blog post, we present the 10 best supplements for CrossFit athletes and how they can help optimize your workouts!

But before we begin, let’s explain in simple terms what is Crossfit (in case you are looking for supplements before you actually done any workouts).

What is Crossfit, and what’s so special about it?

Crossfit is a type of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) that has become very popular in recent years.

It involves a combination of cardio, weightlifting, and gymnastics exercises and is designed to improve overall fitness and athleticism. Basically movements and actions that you perform in your day-to-day life, like pushing, pulling, squatting etc. – only with more intensity, weight and repetitions.

Crossfitters are some of the fittest people on the planet, but the need a number of supplements if they want to be able to avoid injuries and be able to go through those hard workouts.

Best Supplements For Crossfit Athletes

Down below are listed the best supplements for Crossfit Athletes. Use the links in the table of contents to ”jump” instantly to the supplement you are interested the most.

1. Creatine Monohydrate

Creatine monohydrate is a molecule found in meat and fish that helps the body create energy. It is also produced by the human body in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. Creatine supplements are popular among CrossFit athletes because they can help them train harder and longer.

CrossFitters can benefit from creatine supplementation in a number of ways.

  • Creatine can help you train harder and longer by providing your muscles with energy. When you take creatine, your muscles store more phosphocreatine, which is used to create ATP, the energy molecule used by your cells. [1] This means that you have more energy available to power your muscles during workouts.
  • Creatine can help you build muscle. One study found that men who supplemented with creatine for eight weeks increased their lean body mass and strength. [2] Another study found that women who supplemented with creatine for 12 weeks increased their muscle mass and strength. [3]

So, if you’re looking to gain muscle, adding a creatine supplement to your routine may be a good idea. You may want to check this article as well if you are into creatine. 5 Scientific Health Benefits of Creatine.

There are many creatine supplements out there. One of the best and the most value for money is Nutricost’s micronized creatine monohydrate.

2. Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant that can help you feel more alert and improve your focus. It’s found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and some sports supplements. CrossFitters often use caffeine before workouts to help them perform at their best.

– Coffee beans and Green Tea leaves.

Caffeine can benefit CrossFit athletes in a few ways.

  • It can improve your performance. One study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, found that caffeine supplementation consistently improved athletes’ performance in a variety of activities, including running, cycling, and rowing. [4]
  • It can help you lift more weight – Another study found that caffeine can help you lift heavier weights and perform more reps. [5]
  • Caffeine can help you burn more calories. One study found that caffeine increased the number of calories burned by up to 100 per day. [6]

If you don’t like the taste of coffee in your mouth or if you want to cut down on sugar, you can try a caffeine supplement like Genius Caffeine from the Genius Brand. 167 mg of caffeine, slowly releasing though the day -without causing a caffeine crash.

3. Omega 3 Fatty Acids

EFAs are a type of fat that your body needs for optimal health. There are two types of EFAs: omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids.

Both are important, but most people get too much omega-6 and not enough omega-3.

This can cause problems such as inflammation and weight gain. CrossFitters who want to stay healthy and perform their best should make sure they’re getting enough essential fatty acids.

EFAs can benefit CrossFitters in a few ways.

  • Omega 3 Essential fatty acids can help reduce inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury, but it can also occur when the body is stressed. Chronic inflammation can lead to a variety of health problems, including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation. [7]

According to crossfit.com

“Using long-chain omega-3s to suppress low-grade inflammation may benefit numerous chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, obesity, and heart failure. The consumption of omega-6 seed oils may have the opposite effect.”

It is important to supplement yourselves with high quality Omega-3 like Nordic Naturals ProOmega® to reduce inflammation. Available at Pure Formulas and Amazon.

4. Vitamin D3

Vitamin D is a vitamin that helps the body absorb calcium. It’s found in fatty fish, eggs, and dairy products. It’s also produced by the body when your skin is exposed to sunlight.

Vitamin D is important for bone health, and it’s also been linked to a variety of other health benefits. CrossFitters who want to optimize their health should make sure they’re getting enough vitamin D.

Vitamin D can benefit CrossFitters in a few ways.

  • Vitamin D can improve bone health. Vitamin D supplementation is believed to improve bone mineral density and reduced the risk of fractures – although various studies claim that Vitamin D does not play a significant role to bone density and reduction of fractures. [8] [9] The truth is the body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium. Not enough vitamin D leads to insufficient calcium absorption from the diet -thus becoming susceptible to fractures. [10]
  • Vitamin D improves immunity and reduces inflammation. Vitamin D has been linked to a number of other health benefits, including improved immune function and reduced inflammation. [11]
  • Vitamin D can help you lose weight. One study found that people who were deficient in vitamin D lost more weight and body fat when they supplemented with the vitamin. [12] [13]

We recommend testing this Liposomal Vitamin D3 combined with Vitamin K2 supplement. Liposomal Vitamins deliver the active ingredients directly to the cells making the bioavailability and the absorbtion of Liposomal Supplements unmatched when compared with normal supplements.

5. Beta-Alanine

Beta-alanine is a supplement that can help you increase your muscle mass and strength.

It’s a non-essential amino acid that your body converts into carnosine. Carnosine helps buffer the effects of lactic acid, which can cause fatigue during intense exercise.

This can allow you to push yourself harder and improve your performance.

CrossFitters who want to build muscle should consider adding beta-alanine to their supplement regimen.

Beta-alanine can benefit CrossFitters in a few ways.

  • Beta Alanine can help you increase your muscle mass and strength. One study found that beta-alanine supplementation improved muscular endurance and increased lean body mass. [14]
  • Second, beta-alanine can help you improve your performance. One study found that beta-alanine supplementation improved athletic performance in a variety of activities, including cycling, running, and swimming. [15] [16]
  • Third, beta-alanine can help delay fatigue. One study found that beta-alanine supplementation improved exercise performance and delayed fatigue during high-intensity exercise. [17]

We recommend Thorne’s Beta-Alanine. With sustained-release technology and certified for Sport and Athletes this is the best Beta-Alanine supplement for your crossfit needs. You can get if from Pure Formulas or Amazon.

6. Citrulline-Malate

Citrulline-malate is a supplement that can help you improve your performance during high-intensity exercise.

It’s a non-essential amino acid that your body converts into arginine. Arginine helps the body produce nitric oxide, which can increase blood flow [18] and help your muscles work harder for longer.

Citrulline-malate can also help reduce muscle soreness after exercise.

CrossFitters who want to improve their performance and recovery should consider adding citrulline-malate to their supplement regimen.

Citrulline-malate can benefit CrossFitters in a few ways.

  • First, it can help you improve your performance during high-intensity exercise. One study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that citrulline-malate supplementation improved cycling performance. [19]
  • Second, citrulline-malate can help reduce muscle soreness after exercise. One study found that citrulline-malate supplementation reduced muscle soreness 24 hours after exercise. [20]

Third, citrulline-malate can help you recover from exercise. More specifically a meta-analysis concluded that citrulline malate augments aerobic energy production during exercise and increases phosphocreatine during exercise recovery, improves ammonia (NH3) elimination during recovery from exhaustive exercise, attenuate muscle soreness after high-intensity resistance exercise, and increase performance during repeated bouts of high-intensity. [21]

For a citrulline supplement, we recommend Source Naturals’ L-Arginine L-Citrulline Complex (240 Tablets – 1000mg). This supplements combines both aminos into one. Its of the highest quality Citrulline supplement in the market as we speak with raving reviews on many platforms. It is available in both Pure Formulas and Amazon.

7. Electrolytes

Electrolytes are minerals that help regulate the balance of fluids in your body. They’re essential for muscle function and hydration.

CrossFitters who want to optimize their health should make sure they’re getting enough electrolytes.

Electrolytes can benefit CrossFitters in a few ways.

  • Electrolytes can help you stay hydrated. Hydration during hard and exhausting training is a must in order to continue perform to your maximum capabilities.
  • Electrolytes can help you regulate your muscle function. One study from Edith Cowan University found that electrolyte supplementation improved muscle function and reduced the risk of cramps. [22]
  • Electrolytes can help you optimize your health. One study found that electrolyte supplementation improved blood pressure and lipid levels. [23]

By far the best electrolytes supplement is that of Dr. Eric Berg’s. Dr. Berg is a renowned physician, famous through his YouTube channel that boasts over 5 million subscribers. Dr. Berg is is an advocate of health and good nutrition. We’re so positive of Dr. Berg’s electrolytes we even wrote a review a while ago. You can buy Dr. Berg’s electrolytes from his official website.

8. Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that can help you reduce inflammation. It’s a natural anti-inflammatory that can help reduce the risk of diseases such as arthritis and cancer.

Turmeric powder in a jar

CrossFitters often may experience inflammation to their bodies due to hardships in training and because they like to push their selves to the limits.

Well, if you want to reduce their risk of inflammation you should consider adding turmeric to your supplement regimen – since it is proven to be the best ”fighter” of inflammation.

Turmeric can benefit CrossFitters in a few ways.

  • Turmeric can help you reduce inflammation. Several study found that turmeric supplementation reduced inflammation – which is one of the main problems with athletes that are doing HIIT trainings and Crossfit. [24] [25]
  • A peer review found that curcumin – turmeric’s main ingredient – may also help in the management of muscle soreness, thus enhancing recovery and performance in active people. [26]

9. BCAAs

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are a specific type of amino acid that is especially important for athletes.

BCAAs are essential for muscle growth and recovery, and they can help you stay energized throughout your workouts.

They’re also one of the most popular supplements among CrossFit athletes.

BCAAS can benefit CrossFitters in a few ways.

  • First, BCAA’s can help you maintain muscle mass while you’re dieting. When you’re trying to lose weight, it’s important to maintain as much muscle as possible because the more muscle you have, the more calories your body burns at rest. BCAAs can help you do just that.
  • Second, BCAAs can help you recover from your workouts more quickly. They do this by reducing muscle soreness and inflammation and by replenishing the energy stores in your muscles. [27]
  • Finally, BCAAs can improve your performance in workouts by delaying fatigue and boosting your energy levels. More specificaly, when the ratio of TRP to BCAAs increases, more serotonin enters the brain (thus causing fatigue). Altering this ratio by increasing BCAAs or carbohydrates allows less TRP into the brain (thus causing less or delayed fatigue). [28]

Although supplement stores are filled with BCAA’s and you can probably find a good BCCA supplement there, we recommend checking MRM Nutrition’s BCAA’s. It is made of pure natural materials, it includes all 4 BCAA’s as well as Beta-Alanine and Vitamin B6 and Sodium. It is available on Pure Formulas and Amazon.

10. Clean Carbs

Carbohydrates are an important macronutrient for athletes, and they should be a staple in any CrossFitter’s diet.

But not all carbohydrates are created equal. Refined and processed carbs such as white flour and sugar can cause spikes in blood sugar levels, which can lead to energy crashes and cravings.

On the other hand, healthy carbs such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are slow-burning and provide sustained energy.

CrossFitters who want to stay energized throughout their workouts should focus on eating clean carbs. Clean carbs are unrefined and unprocessed, and they’re low in sugar and calories.

They also provide important nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Clean carbs can benefit CrossFitters in a few ways.

  • Clean carbohydrates, can help you lose weight and maintain your muscle mass. When you’re trying to lose weight, it’s important to focus on eating healthy carbs rather than unhealthy carbs.
  • Second, clean carbs can help you regulate your blood sugar levels. When you eat healthy carbs rather than processed carbs, you’ll experience less of a spike in blood sugar levels. This is important for CrossFitters because spikes in blood sugar can lead to energy crashes and cravings. [29]
  • Third, clean carbs can help you perform better in your workouts. Clean carbohydrates provide the fuel you need to power your training and workout performance by providing sustained energy.

Although you don’t need a supplement for getting your body with clean carbohydrates – if you are that freak of a CrossFit person and you seek perfection at all times, you can try Swolverine’s Clean Carbs – on of the best brands in the market.

Final Take

So there you have it – the top 10 best supplements for CrossFit athletes. These supplements can help you stay energized throughout your workouts, recover from your workouts more quickly, and improve your overall health.

So if you’re looking to take your CrossFit game to the next level, be sure to add these besdt supplements of Crossfit athletes to your supplements arsenal.

If you’ve found this article helpful and informative, feel free to share it around. If you have something to add or comment feel free to leave your comment below.

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