High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a form of exercise that definitely puts your body through its paces.
It might seem like it’s all over in a matter of minutes — which is certainly a selling point — but to make sure that the results last longer than that, it’s important to put the right things in the tank before, during, and after the hard work is done.
Sure, we’ll admit there’s no magic formula out there that can make 45 seconds of burpees enjoyable — but there are supplements which can get you in the mindset to take them on,1 and support your muscles through the inevitable soreness after.2
Pre-Workout Supplements
BCAA Drink
This may be one of the few cans you can crack open in the gym changing rooms without getting disapproving looks. It’s our answer to an energy drink — but unlike many supermarket alternatives, it’s completely free from sugar, contains no carbs, and is packed with B vitamins and essential amino acids. What’s not to love?
BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) are made up of three essential amino acids — leucine, isoleucine, and valine. They can’t be produced by your body, so have to come from your diet, which is where our refreshingly fruity drink comes in. BCAAs can be a great workout support as they’ve been shown to increase the rate of protein synthesis, while at the same time decreasing the rate of protein degradation in resting human muscle.3
Of course, there’s also a helpful kick of caffeine in each can too, which is known for its focus-sharpening and concentration-improving effects — perfect to get you into the zone before you start.1,4
THE Pre-Workout™
You need an explosive formula to keep up with an explosive workout right? THE Pre-Workout™ has been created with a hard-hitting blend of caffeine and creatine, to deliver the boost you need to push towards peak performance — and see better results than ever before.4,5
With a powerful mix of caffeine, theacrine and guarana extract, each serving contains 170mg of caffeine, which is perfect for keeping you alert, increasing your endurance performance,1 and delaying fatigue6 — just what you need to get you firing on all cylinders.
Plus, creatine is an ideal support for HIIT training especially, as it’s been scientifically proven to increase physical performance in successive bursts of short-term, high-intensity exercise.5
Vegan Pre-Workout
In need of a little plant-based power to get you into your trainers? Well look no further, than this natural blend of totally vegan-friendly ingredients. With grapeseed, guarana, and green tea extracts, it delivers an artificial-free caffeine boost to take your training to the next level.1,4
It’s free from artificial colours, flavours, and sweeteners — plus there’s added copper and vitamin C, which is naturally energising.7 The perfect plant-based pick-me-up.
Intra-Workout Supplements
Essential BCAA
It can really support your muscle growth and maintenance if you keep your body topped up with BCAAs, as they can speed up protein synthesis, and slow down protein degradation.3
There’s been research to suggest that it may be especially beneficial to take these essential amino acids during exercise, as they are utilised directly by the muscle as both an energy source and to support muscle growth. They can also help to reduce cortisol levels during exercise.8
A study from the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that participants who were given BCAAs during their training over the course of an eight-week programme had a greater decrease in percent body fat along with an increase in lean mass.8
Vegan BCAA Amino Acid
Our Vegan BCAA Amino Acid gives you exactly the same benefits as our regular amino acid blend, only it’s sourced from completely plant-based ingredients, using a special fermentation process.
This makes it super-convenient for vegetarians and vegans to work into their routine, especially as amino acids are naturally found in protein, and a lot of plant-based protein sources don’t have a complete amino acid profile. Available in refreshing, fruity flavours, it’s a simple, fuss-free way to get essential BCAAs into your diet.
Post-Workout Supplements
Impact Whey Protein
This is our everyday fitness essential that your supplement stack really shouldn’t be without.
Protein is vital for muscle growth, recovery, and repair, making this delicious shake an ideal choice to support all the effort you’ve just put in to those sets and reps.9 Each serving is packed with 21g of protein, 4.5g of BCAAs, and just 1.9g of fat — giving you the good stuff without any unnecessary extras.
Coming in over 40 flavours, including Chocolate Brownie, Pistachio, and Salted Caramel, we guarantee your favourite will be there.
THE Whey™
If you’re looking to level-up on your post-workout shake, then THE Whey is a top choice. Offering 25g of premium protein, 3g of leucine, and over 5g of glutamine per serving, it’s specially developed to support muscle growth.9
Leucine is an especially important ingredient to help get you back on track after a tough session, as it’s been shown to enhance muscle recovery and increase muscle-protein synthesis.10
Another standout addition to this winning formula is MyZyme™, a unique enzyme complex that works as a digestion aid, and so helps you get the most from every single ingredient in this muscle-building blend.
Available in six indulgent flavours, it’s hard to believe there’s only 2g of carbs and 1g of fat per serving.
Vegan Protein Blend
Going for green gains? Completely free from soy and dairy, this all-natural blend is packed with 22g of protein from three plant-based sources — peas, brown rice, and hemp. This makes it ideal to support muscle growth,9 as well as delivering all of the essential amino acids your body needs to assist with muscle repair and recovery.3,10
We’ve also included DigeZyme® which is a natural enzyme complex that works as a digestion aid, with more protease than any other on the market — helping your body make the most of the all the quality protein in this blend.
Protein Bar Elite
Satisfy your post-workout cravings with something that’s got a little more bite to it. Our Protein Bar Elite is low in sugar, but packed with 26g of protein per bar to support muscle growth9 and 22g of carbs to help with muscle recovery and prevent muscle fatigue.2
Coming in delicious flavours like Caramel Hazelnut and Toffee Vanilla, you’ll never want to leave the house without one.
Take Home Message
Armed with these high-impact, high-performing HIIT supplements, you can really begin to push your body to new heights and zone in on those personal bests.
Our articles should be used for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you're concerned, consult a health professional before taking dietary supplements or introducing any major changes to your diet.
- Directorate General Health and Food Safety. Caffeine helps to increase alertness and improve concentration. Caffeine contributes to an increase in endurance capacity and performance.
- Carbohydrates contribute to the recovery of normal muscle function after highly intensive and/or long lasting physical exercise leading to muscle fatigue and the depletion of glycogen stores in skeletal muscle. The beneficial effect is obtained with the consumption of carbohydrates, from all sources, at a total intake of 4 g per kg body weight, at doses, within the first 4 hours and no later than 6 hours, following highly intensive and/or long-lasting physical exercise leading to muscle fatigue and the depletion of glycogen stores in skeletal muscle.
- Blomstrand, E., Eliasson, J., Karlsson, H. K., & Köhnke, R. (2006). Branched-chain amino acids activate key enzymes in protein synthesis after physical exercise. The Journal of nutrition, 136(1), 269S-273S.
- Graham, T. (2001). Caffeine and Exercise. Sports Medicine, [online] 31(11), pp.785-807.
- Volek, J. S., Kraemer, W. J., Bush, J. A., Boetes, M., Incledon, T., Clark, K. L., & Lynch, J. M. (1997). Creatine supplementation enhances muscular performance during high-intensity resistance exercise. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 97(7), 765-770.
- Graham, T., Rush, J. and Soeren, M. (1994). Caffeine and Exercise: Metabolism and Performance. Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology, 19(2), pp. 111-138.
- Directorate General Health and Food Safety.
- Stoppani, J., Scheett, T. P., Pena, J., Rudolph, C., Charlebois, D., & Charleston, S. C. (2009). Consuming branched-chain amino acid supplement during a resistance training program increases lean mass, muscle strength and fat loss. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 6(Suppl 1), P1.
- Protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass.
- Anthony, J. C., Anthony, T. G., & Layman, D. K. (1999). Leucine supplementation enhances skeletal muscle recovery in rats following exercise. The Journal of nutrition, 129(6), 1102-1106.
