Many people think that body pressure from the media is only aimed at women, however men the world over feel the effects of a ‘perfect’ male ideal that is portrayed through film, TV and print. How many men can truly say that they felt self-confident when Daniel Craig emerged from the sea in those trunks? Or any time David Beckham launches a new perfume/underwear range/life changing product? Getting a good body is something that many men dream of; the Daniel Craigs and David Beckhams of this world make a living from their bodies but the rest of us aren’t so lucky. If you don’t fancy quitting your job and hitting the gym for five hours a day, you might want to try food supplements as a way of building some muscle.

Now obviously, supplements aren’t a miracle cure and there are some changes to your lifestyle that need to happen before you hit the health food shops. The only way muscle is built is through exercise, and most muscle building supplements are designed to increase the effects of exercise and repair muscles quickly, allowing you to exercise more. To make sure all your effort actually works, consider getting a personal trainer or researching the most effective exercises to build up muscles where you want them. A personal trainer can check that you are doing exercises correctly to reap the most benefits. A good diet is also essential, again, speak to a professional before beginning and make sure you have enough nutrients to give you energy. Whey protein is a popular addition to a healthy muscle-building diet because protein gives your body the valuable amino acids that it needs to rebuild and recover your muscles between workouts.

Everyone knows that oily fish should be included in a healthy diet, but busy work and home lives often mean that cooking from scratch isn’t possible. Fish oil can be a great supplement to add to your diet, as it aids flexibility and reduces inflammation (which can be caused by frequent exercise). It also has numerous other health benefits, and is available in capsule form to make it easy to take each morning or evening.

The best way to find the right supplement for you is to do your research; talk to professionals, look round the health food shops and the Internet, and make sure your diet and exercise schedule is honed to perfection.