A quality pre-workout supplement (read: one that lists the ingredients in the full dosages) can help you push through late-night or early-morning gym sessions. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout offers quality while providing a steady stream of energy that will help sustain you from your first rep to your final sprint.
POST-WORKOUT
A staple in any serious gymgoer’s diet, whey protein powder can help rebuild muscle tissue, support recovery, and give you an extra dose of protein—all important when you’re busting your ass, training to move a ton and complete an obstacle course race. For this, we like Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey. Whey protein isolate is the first ingredient listed, so you know you’re getting the good stuff. It also contains 5.5 grams of branched-chain amino acids and 4 grams of glutamine.
A bonus: Optimum Nutrition offers a plant-based version, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Plant, for vegetarian lifters or for those who simply can’t stomach the lactose in the original formula.
A clean diet doesn’t always taste the best. (Trust us, we know.) One way to help fight cravings while keeping your diet on track is to look for high-protein, low-sugar snacks that can help keep you feeling full and are tasty. Turkey jerky, almonds, and string cheese are all good options. We also like the new Optimum Nutrition Cake Bites, which pack 20 grams of protein per serving. At less than 250 calories per package, you can indulge guilt-free in flavors like Red Velvet Cake, Berry Cheesecake Chip, and Chocolate- Frosted Doughnut.
