Most bodybuilders take creatine. It’s been shown to improve muscle energetics, enabling them to grind out more end-of-set growth reps, and it has proven anabolic properties. Well, if you take creatine, you should be using beta-alanine as well for a supercharged effect. Beta-alanine converts to carnosine in muscle tissue, which buffers lactic acid. That means you get more growth reps. A study found that when subjects took beta-alanine combined with creatine, they increased their power during the first minute of a high-intensity exercise, as compared to subjects who got creatine alone.

—Becky Holman