The vitamin and supplement market is expected to hit a value of over $300 billion by 2026. Not only does this demonstrate a high demand for these products but it also goes to show that you have a ton of choices when picking the right supplements for you.
When you pick the right supplements, you can advance your fitness journey and achieve the goals that may have seemed unachievable before. However, there are also a lot of mistakes you can make when buying supplements for fitness.
What are some of the most common mistakes in supplement shopping that we’ve seen?
Read on to find out about seven mistakes in supplement shopping that you should avoid.
Table of Contents
1. Not Knowing What’s in Your Supplements
When you first start purchasing supplements for fitness, it may seem tempting to pick your supplements based on what they claim to do. However, it’s crucial that you understand what’s in a supplement before you start buying it.
For starters, you don’t want to spend money on something you’re allergic to. For example, whey protein powders are quite popular nowadays, but they’re not suitable for people who are lactose intolerant.
If you have any medical conditions or take prescription medications, talk to your doctor before buying a supplement. Even supplements that are all-natural may contain ingredients that could worsen your condition or interfere with your medication.
2. Not Considering Your Specific Fitness Goals
Maybe you enjoy working out with a few friends who all take different fitness supplements. They start recommending their favorite brands and you think, “That sounds good.” Should you go out and buy those same supplements?
Not necessarily. Supplements are designed to work in different ways and you want them to align with your specific fitness goals. For example, someone who wants to lose weight should be taking very different supplements than someone who wants to bulk up.
3. Not Reading Online Customer Reviews
What if you’re considering a supplement you’ve never tried before? What if you don’t know anyone who uses it, either? Should you make your decision based on the brand’s claims, alone?
The answer is no. Keep in mind that most supplements don’t undergo the same rigorous testing methods that medications do. Some companies have, unfortunately, mastered the art of making claims that aren’t true.
Arm yourself with knowledge and read customer reviews. Find out if people enjoy taking the supplement, if it seems to cause any unpleasant side effects, and if it seems to do what it claims.
4. Not Researching Side Effects
Speaking of side effects, you’re going to want to know about those, too. There are some pretty intense fitness supplements on the market. When not taken correctly (or when they’re not right for your body chemistry), they can cause some bad side effects.
What kind of side effects are we talking about? Some fitness supplements may cause side effects such as diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and more.
Most of the time, you can avoid these side effects by taking your supplements the right way. However, you may want to talk to your doctor before taking on any risks based on your specific body chemistry.
5. Not Measuring the Impact of Your Supplements
The best part about the massive supplement industry is that you’re not locked into one supplement. If your energizing supplement isn’t boosting your energy, you can try another one.
However, this is going to require that you pay attention to how your supplements are working. Keep a journal or log that tracks your progress, writing down any potential variables (ie your supplements but also your diet, your workout schedule, etc).
If you notice a positive trend that correlates with your supplement usage, great! If you’re noticing no improvements (or worse, that your progress is moving in the wrong direction), consider going with a new supplement.
6. Not Comparing Supplement Prices
The truth is that supplements aren’t always cheap. In fact, some can get quite expensive, especially if you’re taking several for a long period of time.
Don’t spend more money than you need to on supplements. Price-compare different brands that produce similar (if not identical) products. Price-compare different websites selling the same supplements.
This time, we’ll do the heavy-lifting for you. Wilson Supplements offers a wide variety of fitness supplements and vitamins at a great price. These products are high in quality, receive great reviews, and won’t break the bank.
7. Not Using Supplements Properly
Last but not least, a huge supplement shopping mistake is using them improperly once you have them. If you’re not using your supplements the right way, you’re wasting your money.
Think of supplements the same way you would vitamins or daily medications. If you want them to work the right way, you’re going to need to develop a consistent schedule of usage. You also want to make sure that you’re using the right dosage to ensure that you’re getting all of the benefits without triggering any side effects.
It’s a common mistake to stop taking supplements when progress starts to speed up. People assume that they don’t need the supplements anymore because they’re well on their way (or have surpassed) their fitness goal. However, the supplement was part of what got you there, and ceasing to take it could cause a backslide.
Avoid These Mistakes in Supplement Shopping
Supplements can make your fitness goals more attainable. They can give you the nutrients you need to keep your fitness journey in motion and keep seeing progress. Avoid these mistakes in supplement shopping to ensure that you get the most out of your supplements.
Looking for more ways to boost your health as you work on your physical fitness? Are you looking for ways to balance out your mental health with such a hectic schedule? Take a look at more of our health content for the tips, news, and guides you need.
