The Gym Bunny Starter Pack; Supplement Edition
Hey babe! So, you’ve decided to hit the gym and get serious about your fitness goals, yay! First things first, I’m SO proud of you. Whether you're chasing confidence, strength, or just want to feel better in your own skin, you deserve to feel like the queen you are. But let me guess… you walked into the supplements aisle (or scrolled online) and thought, What even IS all this stuff?
Don’t worry hun, I’ve got you! Think of this as a no-BS guide to starting your gym journey with the right supplements to help you feel strong, energized, and ready to slay. Let’s build your perfect starter pack—nothing overwhelming, just the essentials to get you going.
1. Protein Powder: Your BFF for Muscles and Snacks
Why You Need It: Protein = muscle fuel. After working out, your muscles need it to repair and grow. Plus, it keeps you full and tastes like a treat if you pick the right one! If you’re looking to gain muscle or just tone up, the general rule of thumb is 1gram of protein per pound of body weight… so a little assistance with this and keeping my cravings happy? yes please.
My fav way’s to Use It:
Breakfast of champs: Toss a scoop into a smoothie frozen banana + almond butter + oats = heaven (even adding an espresso shot to this… OMG).
Pre-work out snack: Shake it up with milk (try and aim for fat free or a milk alternative, just to decrease cals and fat count) and pour over your fav cereal. The fast acting carbs will hit just right to smash your session (and even give you that juicy booty pump… just saying).
The Late-night sweet tooth attack: Mix in with fat free greek yogurt, top with frozen berries and honey add an extra crunch with mixed nuts or a handful of granola. NGL if I have the calorie allowance for it I’ll even top it with some Nutella biscuit’s
Hot Tip: Look for a flavor you’ll actually want to drink. Cinnamon Toast Crunch? Yes, please.
My go to at the moment is the Cbum x Raw nutrition isolate. Now an isolate protein has fewer carbs, fats and calories in it and tends to be more macro-friendly. I also have the worst digestive system (am just a girl?), but I have found this is one of the most compatible products for me and my sensitive stomach.
2. Pre-Workout: The Hype Girl in Powder Form
Why You Need It: Ever feel like taking a nap instead of working out? Pre-workout is like having a built-in bestie yelling, “Let’s go, girl!” It gives you energy and focus to power through.
How to Use It: Mix a scoop with water 20 minutes before your workout, and you’ll be ready to crush it.
Girl Talk: Some pre-workouts have caffeine, so if you’re sensitive, go for a lighter one or ease your way in on the scoop. Otherwise, you might feel like you drank six espressos. (Been there.) Something to look out for on labeling is the difference between a “pump” and a “stim/stimulate” pre-workout. A “pump” pre general doesn’t contain caffeine or a small dosage if any. You won’t get the same kick of energy, but you will get more mental focus plus an extra bit of blood flow to the muscles. Stim pre’s are caffeinated and likely to be on a higher % than most normal coffees… so something to consider, are you an AM gym bunny, or a PM? Perhaps adjust your choice of pre-workout taking this into consideration.
Here are my current fav’s, one “pump” one “stim” depending on my training time and general mood of the day.
A personal Note: We all have days where we wake up feeling a little more anxious than normal, or maybe we have had a day where we are just generally more over-stimulated. On these days, I suggest reaching for that “Pump” pre-workout, I personally notice if anxiety is already on my radar, inhaling an extreme amount of caffeine really doesn’t help the situation.
Thavage Pre-Workout isn’t just a vibe—it’s the ultimate energy boost you need to crush your morning or afternoon sweat sessions. Packed with a powerful blend of stimulants, it delivers clean, long-lasting energy, enhanced focus, and serious motivation to keep you going strong.
Raw Nutrition Non-Stim Pre-Workout is like a brain boost in a scoop—mental clarity, focus, and performance without the jitters or caffeine crash. Whether it's a morning workout or a late-night sweat sesh, it keeps you sharp and ready to crush it anytime. Smooth energy, zero drama!
3. Electrolytes: Hydration + Recovery Goodness
Why You Need It: These are like little muscle-soothing fairies. They help with recovery so you’re less sore after a tough workout—and they taste amazing, so you’ll want to sip them all day. Electrolytes also improve brain function, mental clarity and can help maintain energy levels throughout the day. So girl, pop them in that Stanley cup with some ice and enjoy!
How to Use It:
Start your day with them… yes pre coffee. We lose a lot of water whilst we sleep so rehydrating straight away will help kick start your day.
Mix with water during your workout.
Or keep sipping post-workout to stay hydrated and recover faster.
OBSESSED with these Liquid IV pouches, you get 4 different flavours that you can mix up throughout the day. Perfect in a liter of cold water to sip on before, during and after your workout!
Pro-Tip: Now this is going to sound weird, but hear me out… add a pinch of himalayan salt to your electrolytes… why? Because salt attaches it self to your muscles, allowing you to rehydrate and stay hydrated much more easily. Don’t knock it till you try it.
4. Multivitamins: Because We’re Busy and Need Backup
Why You Need It: Let’s be real—none of us eat perfectly balanced meals 24/7. A multivitamin fills in the gaps and gives you all the essentials. Look for a women’s formula with bonus calcium and iron.
PSA: Chewable vitamins totally count if you hate swallowing pills. (Hello, gummy vitamins. No shame!)
Thorne Advanced Nutrients is a great product for over all wellbeing, providing support for your body and mind on all fronts.
How to Use It: Okay, the reality is you can take them whenever, some girl’s take them in the morning and that totally fine! However, something to note, caffeine can block the absorption of nutrients, and I my friends am an avid coffee drinker. Do not attempt to speak to me before okay? That being said, I roll out of bed, get my electrolytes down me and head straight to the coffee machine. For this reason, I take mine at night, when there’s nothing to block the absorption and my body can make the most of them.
5. Creatine: The Glow-Up Ingredient for Strength
Why You Need It: Don’t let the name scare you—creatine is not going to make you “bulky.” It’s going to help your muscles work harder and recover faster. It builds muscle capacity, increases endurance and pushes the cells of your body to be more productive, Think of it as your strength-building secret weapon. It also has many benefits for general productivity and brain functions.
Thorne Creatine is by far one of the smoothest creatine’s I’ve tried. It dissolves easily, doesn’t cause any digestive discomfort, and combined with the Liquid IV theres no taste at all!
How to Use It: A tiny scoop in your water or shake, and boom—you’re good to go. You can also take this daily in the mornings to increase brain function and mental clarity.
So, What’s in the Starter Pack?
Your simple starter stack for getting your body pre-pared for the journey!
Protein Powder (something yummy like cinnamon toast crunch)
Pre-Workout (for when you need that “let’s do this!” push)
Electrolytes (hydration + recovery = less soreness)
Multivitamin (because life’s busy and we need help)
Creatine (trust me, it’s worth it)
Bonus Goodies for My Gym Baddies
Final Thoughts from Your Gym Bunny BFF
Babe, supplements aren’t magic—they’re just little helpers along the way. Focus on consistency, eat your real food, stay hydrated, and rest when your body asks for it. But having the right starter pack will make you feel prepared, motivated, and get your body ready to dominate that gym floor like the queen you are.
Now, go grab your cute shaker, mix up some goodies, and let’s crush those goals together!
Go get ‘em Bunny!
© 2025 Just Amber Marie. All rights reserved.
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