Sports Nutrition

Dietary supplements play an increasingly significant role both in competitive sports and in the everyday lives of many people. They serve to specifically supplement nutrition and provide the body with essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or other functional substances that are often not consumed in sufficient quantities through a normal diet.

Why are supplements important for athletes?

Increased demand due to physical exertion:
Athletes have a higher requirement for nutrients due to intensive training and frequent exertion, particularly for proteins, electrolytes, vitamins (e.g., vitamin D, B12), and minerals such as magnesium or zinc. Supplements help to meet this increased demand in a targeted and efficient manner.
Faster recovery and performance improvement:
Through the targeted intake of proteins (e.g., whey), creatine, BCAAs, or omega-3 fatty acids, recovery can be improved, muscle growth promoted, and athletic performance increased.
Practicality in everyday life:
Especially for athletes with tight schedules, supplements offer a practical solution for consuming nutrients quickly and easily – for example, in the form of shakes, bars, or capsules.

Why are nutritional supplements also generally important?

Nutrient gaps due to a modern diet:
Many people have an unbalanced diet or often reach for industrially processed foods that are poor in micronutrients. Dietary supplements can help close these gaps – for example, with multivitamin preparations or omega-3 capsules.
Special life stages or lifestyles:
Pregnant women, vegans, the elderly, or the chronically ill often have specific nutrient requirements. Supplements such as folic acid, vitamin B12, or calcium can contribute to maintaining health in these cases.
Prevention of deficiencies:
Particularly with vitamin D or iron, there are often undetected deficiencies that can impair health in the long term. Dietary supplementation can help prevent these deficiencies.

Protein, also known as protein, is a vital nutrient that plays a central role in the human body. It is involved in almost all important processes – from the building of body tissue to the function of enzymes, hormones, and the immune system. Protein is of particular importance in the context of exercise and physical activity. When we exercise, we strain our muscles, which leads to tiny tears in the muscle fibers. The body needs sufficient protein so that these can be repaired and even strengthened. This is the only way it can build new muscle tissue, which is especially important for people in strength or endurance training.

But it is not only athletes who benefit from this. Even those who do not exercise are dependent on a good protein supply. The body is constantly renewing cells, hair, skin, and organs – all processes in which protein plays a fundamental role. The need increases particularly with age, in the event of illness, or after injuries, as the body requires more support for regeneration. In addition, protein helps maintain muscle mass, which in turn is crucial for posture, strength, mobility, and health in everyday life. The feeling of satiety is also positively influenced by protein-rich food, which can help with weight loss. Overall, protein is therefore not just important for the physically active, but for every person – whether young or old, athletic or not. A balanced diet with sufficient protein intake is one of the most important foundations for long-term health, performance, and well-being.

Multi-component protein – the smart combination for optimal supply

Multi-component protein (also called a "protein blend") is a mixture of different protein sources that are specifically combined to unite the benefits of several types of protein in one product. The goal is to provide the body with amino acids both quickly and over the long term – ideal for muscle building, regeneration, and satiety.

A classic example of an animal-based multi-component protein is the combination of whey protein (fast-digesting) and casein (slow-digesting). This mixture offers an immediate supply after training and a sustained protein release over several hours – perfect for in between meals.

For this, we recommend: Weider Protein +80

In vegan multi-component proteins, rice protein (rich in cysteine and methionine) is often combined with pea protein (rich in lysine). This creates a complete amino acid profile with a high biological value that comes very close to that of animal proteins.

For this, we recommend: Weider Vegan Protein

Effects and benefits of creatine

Creatine is one of the most well-researched nutritional supplements in the sports sector. The most important benefits are:

✅ Performance enhancement: Increases physical performance during short, intense exertion such as strength training or sprints.
✅ Muscle growth: Promotes long-term muscle building through increased training performance.
✅ Faster recovery: Supports muscle recovery after training.
✅ Cognitive effects: Studies suggest that creatine can also support mental performance – especially in vegetarians or those suffering from sleep deprivation.

✅ 99.99% Purity
Creapure® contains virtually no unwanted by-products such as dicyandiamide (DCD), dihydrotriazine (DHT), thiourea, or heavy metals. These substances can occur during inferior production processes.

✅ Made in Germany
Production takes place exclusively at the Trostberg (Bavaria) site – with Made-in-Germany quality and pharmaceutical standards.

✅ Certified Quality
Creapure® is vegan, kosher, halal, and is regularly tested for purity in independent laboratories.

✅ Recognizable by the Creapure® logo
Creapure is a protected brand raw material that many well-known brands use in their products. You can recognize it by the Creapure® logo on the packaging – it guarantees that the product really contains this pure creatine.

There are very many amino acids that can be useful for sports or strength training. It is understandable that the multitude can seem confusing at first. Nevertheless, it can be worthwhile to include various amino acids in your daily supplementation to support training performance and recovery.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are essential for many processes in the body, e.g., muscle building, repair, and enzyme formation. There are essential amino acids (EAAs), which the body cannot produce itself and must be obtained through food, and non-essential amino acids, which the body can synthesize itself.

BCAA (Branched-Chain Amino Acids)
BCAAs are branched-chain amino acids, namely leucine, isoleucine, and valine. These three amino acids are characterized by the fact that they are metabolized directly in the muscles rather than having to be broken down in the liver first. This makes them particularly important for muscle growth and post-workout recovery. Leucine plays a key role here, as it activates protein synthesis in muscle cells. BCAAs can also help prevent muscle breakdown during intensive training phases and reduce fatigue during exercise by serving as an energy source. Many athletes use BCAA supplements before or during training to improve endurance and reduce muscle soreness.

EAA (Essential Amino Acids)
EAAs comprise all nine essential amino acids that the body cannot produce itself and must therefore be obtained through food or supplements. In addition to BCAAs, EAAs include amino acids such as lysine, methionine, tryptophan, threonine, phenylalanine, histidine, and others. These amino acids are essential for building proteins in the body and form the foundation for the repair and growth of muscle tissue. Studies show that the intake of EAAs stimulates muscle protein synthesis more strongly than BCAAs alone, as the entire spectrum of essential building blocks for protein production is provided. EAA supplements are particularly suitable for athletes who want to ensure a balanced supply of amino acids to optimally support muscle building.

L-Glutamine
L-Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid that the body normally produces in sufficient quantities itself. However, under intense physical exertion or stress, the demand can become so high that L-Glutamine becomes semi-essential and should be supplemented. It plays an important role in supporting the immune system by serving as an energy source for immune cells, and contributes to the maintenance of the intestinal barrier, which in turn improves nutrient absorption. In the sports sector, L-Glutamine is often used to accelerate regeneration, reduce muscle breakdown, and restore training capacity more quickly. Supplementation can be particularly useful after long or very intense sessions.

Beta-Alanine
Beta-alanine is an amino acid that increases the concentration of carnosine in muscle cells. Carnosine acts as a buffer against muscle acidification caused by the accumulation of hydrogen ions (H+) during intense exertion. This acidification is a key factor in muscle fatigue. A higher carnosine concentration allows athletes to train at high intensity for longer, as the muscles are better protected against acidification. Beta-alanine is therefore used especially in strength and endurance sports to increase performance and shorten recovery time. Supplementation often leads to a tingling sensation on the skin (paresthesia), which is harmless and indicates the product is working.

L-Arginine
L-Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that plays a crucial role in the body in the production of nitric oxide (NO). NO causes blood vessels to dilate (vasodilation), which improves blood flow. Better blood flow means an increased supply of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles during training, leading to greater performance and a more intense "muscle pump." For this reason, L-Arginine is frequently used as a pump booster in strength training. Furthermore, L-Arginine supports wound healing and strengthens the immune system. It can also promote the production of growth hormones, which facilitates muscle growth in the long term.

L-Carnitine
L-Carnitine transports fatty acids into the mitochondria for energy production. It is often used for fat burning and particularly supports endurance and body toning training. Through improved fat burning, it can help achieve training goals more efficiently. In addition, L-carnitine can have a positive influence on recovery processes after training.

Weight gainers are specially developed dietary supplements that help you gain weight and muscle mass in a healthy and effective way. They contain a combination of high-quality carbohydrates, proteins, and often additional calories in concentrated form – ideal for anyone who has difficulty consuming enough energy through their normal diet.

Hardgainers in particular, meaning people with a very fast metabolism, benefit from weight gainer shakes. Instead of constantly forcing yourself to eat, one shake a day is often enough to cover your caloric needs and support muscle growth.

The benefits at a glance:

💪 More calories, more mass – ideal for muscle-building phases
🕒 Time-saving – perfect for in-between meals or after training
⚖️ Balanced nutrient ratio of protein and carbs
✅ Often enriched with vitamins, creatine, or BCAAs

Regardless of whether you want to build mass, struggle to gain weight, or simply want to support your training: a good weight gainer can be exactly the element you have been missing until now.

Carbohydrates are the most important energy source for active people. In sports in particular, they play a crucial role in performance, endurance, and recovery. They replenish glycogen stores in the muscles and liver and ensure that you do not tire prematurely during training or competition.

A particularly popular source of carbohydrates in sports is maltodextrin. This is a water-soluble carbohydrate mixture derived from corn or starch. Maltodextrin is neutral in taste, easily digestible, and provides the body with energy quickly – without stressing the stomach. Ideal before, during, or after intense sessions.

Whether pre-workout, intra-workout, or recovery – the right carbohydrate intake is a game changer for your performance. Combined with proteins, it ensures optimal results in muscle building and recovery.

Whether before training, as a quick snack on the go, or right after a workout – bars are the ideal companion for those who want to live an active and healthy life. They provide valuable nutrients, are conveniently packaged, and fit into any bag.

Bars have long been more than just a quick snack. They offer a well-thought-out combination of nutrients that specifically support you in reaching your fitness goals – whether it's muscle building, endurance training, or simply an active everyday life.

💪 Protein bars – for muscle building & recovery

Protein bars provide high-quality protein from whey, casein, soy, or milk protein. They help in maintaining and building muscle mass – especially after training or when you cannot have a meal on the go.

Benefits:
✅ 15–25 g protein per bar
✅ Supports muscle growth & recovery
✅ Ideal for post-workout or as a high-protein snack
✅ Available in many delicious flavors

⚡ Energy bar – for endurance & performance

Energy bars contain targeted carbohydrates – often from oats, dextrose, or maltodextrin – that provide the body with rapidly available energy. Perfect for endurance athletes or as an energy source before long sessions.

Benefits:
✅ Quick energy supply before or during training
✅ Supports performance & concentration
✅ Ideal for cycling, running, hiking, or intensive workouts
✅ Easy to digest & ready to eat quickly