Do fat burners help fighters make weight?
Are you a fighter looking to make weight without compromising your performance? Fat burners can be a great way to reach your weight-cutting goals, depending on how fast you gotta achieve them & obviously how the rest of your fight preparation looks like in terms of nutrition and training. In this article, we’ll discuss the potential benefits of using fat burners for fighters, how to use them safely and responsibly, and the best fat burners for fighters.
But, anyone that’s done a severe cut before will know that there definitely are some supplements that can help, even if it’s just caffeine.
There are a few fat burners that stand out from the rest and there’s quite a big difference in the best fat burner for men and those that are aimed at women. Those aimed at men are generally a little bit better for those competing, as it’s usually the high levels of caffeine that are a big part of the difference in men’s fat burners and womens weight loss aids.
And as most of us in the MMA community will know, we’re not exactly strangers to smashing caffeine, and people aiming for a weigh in generally aren’t as concerned about side effects from a few too many coffees. We’re definitely not going to recommend such extreme and overly regular transformations as those made infamous by MMA Legend Paddy The Baddy, but there are a few ingredients which fighters have been using for a while to make life easier and that’s what you’re here to read about, so let’s get down to it.
What are fat burners?
Fat burners are supplements that are designed to help people burn fat by boosting their metabolism and increasing thermogenesis. They typically contain ingredients like caffeine, green tea extract, and garcinia cambogia, which are all known to be effective fat-burning agents. Many fat burners also contain appetite suppressants like hoodia gordonii, which can help keep hunger at bay – possibly an additional mental benefit as it might reduce the mood swings that weight cutting comes with. Sparing your energy for the upcoming fight instead of wasting it on arguing with your spouse over nonsense will make them cheer for you during competition harder as well.
Benefits of fat burners for fighters
Fat burners can offer a number of benefits for fighters looking to make weight. First, they can help boost your energy levels and give you the extra push you need to get through a tough weight-cutting regimen which is quite helpful no matter if you’re competing in boxing or jiu jitsu. Secondly, they can help you burn fat more quickly, allowing you to reach your weight-cutting goals faster in case fat has been the main reason for your “overweight”. Finally, fat burners can help you stay focused and motivated throughout the day so you can maintain peak performance even if you have to survive more than one pre-fight sparring session per day. Some have even been specifically designed by MMA coaches like instant knockout which was made in conjunction with Greg Jackson.
Safe ways to use fat burners for fighters
When it comes to using fat burners, it’s important to do so responsibly. Here are some tips on how to use fat burners safely which is crucial especially for combat sports where reaching peak performance is the most important during those three or five rounds of competing:
- – Start slowly. If you’re new to using fat burners, start with a lower dose and gradually increase your dosage as you become more comfortable with the supplement. That means starting early enough as well – 6 weeks before the fight at the latest!
- – Don’t take more than the recommended dosage. Taking too much of a fat burner can be dangerous and can lead to serious health complications.
- – Be mindful of any side effects. If you experience any adverse side effects, discontinue use immediately and consult your doctor.
- – Make sure to get plenty of rest, even if that’s one of the hardest parts before an upcoming fight competition. Fat burners can be effective, but they won’t do much good if you don’t get enough rest.
- – Talk to your doctor or fight coach. Before taking any fat burners, be sure to consult your doctor to make sure they are safe for you to use & not considered PEDs or anything else that might make you fail a doping test!
Common fat burners for fighters & their ingredients
There are a variety of fat burners available on the market today. The most well-known one for sure is Instant Knockout which has been formulated for Mixed Martial Arts practitioners, sports people, and muscle builders to burn body fat while sustaining muscle mass. Instant Knockout is a fat burner composed of all natural components that controls your appetite, provides you with extra energy and assists you to reach your desired shape as quickly as possible. Some of the most common fat burners for fighters include:
- – Caffeine: Caffeine is one of the most popular fat burners for fighters due to its ability to boost energy levels and increase thermogenesis.
- – Green tea extract: Green tea extract is a powerful antioxidant that can help increase metabolism and fat burning.
- – Glucomannan: It swells 50X larger in the stomach, making 2000mg about the size of a large bagel, this can help stave off hunger pangs, it’s common through most high end fat burners.
- – Garcinia cambogia: This tropical fruit extract is known for its ability to suppress appetite and aid in weight loss.
- – CLA: Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a naturally occurring fatty acid that has been shown to reduce body fat and increase lean muscle mass.
- – Yohimbine: This alkaloid extracted from the bark of the yohimbe tree is known for its ability to increase fat burning and enhance energy levels.
There are also a subcategory of sleep aids mixed with fat burners like leanPM these tend to avoid caffeine, these are particularly useful as sleep is quite beneficial for weight loss and a lot of fighters report having difficulty sleeping when hitting lower body fat percentages and if you want to lose weight without slowing your metabolism sleep is essential.
How to create a fat-burning diet plan
A healthy, balanced diet is essential for any fighter who wants to make weight. Here are some tips on how to create a fat-burning diet plan:
- – Eat plenty of lean proteins: Lean proteins, such as fish, chicken, and beans, are high in protein and low in fat, making them ideal for weight loss.
- – Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, all of which can help boost your metabolism and keep your hunger in check.
- – Avoid processed and sugary foods: Processed and sugary foods are high in unhealthy fats and sugar, and can sabotage your weight-loss efforts.
- – Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated is essential for any weight-loss plan, and can help keep your metabolism running smoothly. Make sure to reduce your intake of water dramatically the less time you have left until you have to perform in the ring (or on the mats, equally!). Talk to your coach to ensure you don’t damage your health by doing so, though!
The potential risks of using fat burners for fighters
While fat burners can be beneficial for fighters looking to make weight, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks. Fat burners can cause serious side effects, such as headaches, nausea, and insomnia. Additionally, some fat burners can contain banned substances that could lead to disqualification from competitions. Certain weight loss supplements have been reported to cause harm to the liver. Herbal components, such as ephedra, that were formerly utilized in fat burners have since been prohibited by the Food and Drug Administration due to their capacity to induce elevated blood pressure, altered mental state, irregular heartbeat, stroke, convulsions, and heart attacks.
How to use fat burners responsibly
When using fat burners, it’s important to do so responsibly. Here are some tips on how to use fat burners responsibly:
- – Don’t exceed the recommended dosage. Taking too much of a fat burner can be dangerous and can lead to serious health complications.
- – Don’t mix fat burners with other supplements or medications. Mixing fat burners with other supplements or medications can be dangerous and can lead to serious side effects.
- – Don’t use fat burners as a substitute for proper nutrition. Fat burners should not be used as a substitute for a healthy, balanced diet.
- – Don’t take fat burners late in the day. Taking fat burners late in the day can cause insomnia and other sleep-related issues.
- – Don’t take fat burners for an extended period of time. Taking fat burners for more than a few weeks can lead to serious health risks. Especially as a combat athlete you don’t have to train with minimal weight all the time. Reduce your intake of fat burners to a maximum of ten weeks before competition and you’ll see a bigger overall effect on your weight cut as well!
Best fat burners for fighters
Some of the best fat burners for fighters include caffeine, green tea extract, garcinia cambogia, CLA, and yohimbine. Especially boxers often need to slim down in a short amount of time to make the weight cut for a fight. To reach their desired body composition, the best way is to reduce fat mass. As a result, the use of fat burners is becoming more popular. Combined with high intensity workouts which are very beneficial in burning fat (we suggest boxing drills, heavy bags, pads and some sparring), research has proven them to consume more calories than traditional exercises without the combination with these supplements. Besides taking fat burners, UFC fighters usually follow three steps to lose weight in a few days before their match. Firstly, they progressively dehydrate for five days and don’t consume any water on weigh-in day. Secondly, they skip carbs and salt and lastly, they sweat a lot.
Dietary supplements to consider when trying to make weight
In addition to fat burners, there are a few other dietary supplements that can be beneficial for fighters trying to make weight. Some of the most popular supplements for weight loss include:
- – Protein powder: Protein powder is a great way to increase your daily protein intake while keeping calories low.
- – BCAA: Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) can help support muscle growth while helping to reduce body fat.
- – Glutamine: Glutamine is an amino acid that can help improve muscle recovery and reduce muscle soreness.
- – Creatine: Creatine helps to increase lean muscle mass, which can help you reach your weight-cutting goals more quickly.
Conclusion
Fat burners can be a great option for fighters looking to make weight without compromising their performance. When used responsibly, fat burners can help you reach your weight-cutting goals more quickly and safely. However, it’s important to be aware of potential risks and side effects, and to always consult your doctor and coach before taking any – not to forget checking for USADA compliance or whatever organization is responsible for you. There are a variety of fat burners available on the market today, so make sure to do your research and find the one that’s right for you. With the right fat burner and a healthy, balanced diet, you can reach your weight-cutting goals in no time, rest deeply the day before your fight and last but not least destroy your opponent in the octagon, the ring or on the mats respectively!
