If you have been following me for a while, you might know I am a mountian biker as well as a blogger. I have been obsessed with biking for some time and have competed in the world's hardest and highest mountain bike race in the world over the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. You could say I take health and fitness pretty seriously.
As a mountain biker, my body takes a serious beating. From tough climbs to intense descents, the strain on my muscles is no joke. I average 100 miles on the bike a week, A mix of outdoor and indoor training and some strength, and I've just taken up pilates. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for supplements that help me train harder, recover quicker, and stay strong on the bike. I am not going to lie I love to research things that might help my body last longer on the bike and keep me healthy for longer. We all age right, and keeping our minds and bodies sharp and strong is the way to keep body ticking over. I know the world of supplements can be overwhelming so let's talk about it.
I’ve been testing two products from Naked Nutrition. They have just relaunched in the UK
Im using the Essential Amino Acids (EAAs) and BCAAs, and after a few weeks of using them consistently, I know the world of supplements can be overwhelming, so let's talk about it.
What Are EAAs?
EAAs stand for Essential Amino Acids and they’re exactly that: essential. These are the nine amino acids your body can’t make on its own, so you have to get them through food or supplements.
They’re the building blocks of protein, which means they play a major role in muscle repair, recovery, and overall performance. When you’re training hard, especially in a demanding sport like mountain biking your body breaks down muscle tissue, and EAAs help rebuild it. But let's face it, everyone could use these not just athletes like me.
The nine EAAs include:
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Leucine
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Isoleucine
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Valine
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Histidine
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Lysine
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Methionine
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Phenylalanine
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Threonine
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Tryptophan
Together, they support everything from muscle recovery and immune health to hormone balance and energy production. Without them, your body can’t function at its best, especially when it’s under physical stress.
Why Do I Use Them?
Our bodies can’t produce them on its own, so we need to get them through our diet or supplements. As someone who rides nearly every day and trains regularly off the bike too, EAAs have been a game-changer.
I’ve been using the Naked Nutrition Essential Amino Acids before my rides, mixing a scoop into my water. It’s unflavoured, which I love because I can add it to anything without that fake sweet taste you sometimes get with other brands. I have also added it to my water bottle on rides or with a glass of juice.
Benefits I Noticed:
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Better endurance on long rides
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Less muscle fatigue during back-to-back sessions
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My muscle soreness was noticeably reduced, especially after a long ride of 60+ miles, which normally kills my legs the day after.
Plus, Naked Nutrition’s EAAs include all nine essential amino acids in a clinically backed 2:1:1 ratio leucine, isoleucine, and valine, crucial for muscle repair and growth.
What Are BCAAs?
BCAAs are Branched-Chain Amino Acids, and they include just three of the essential amino acids:
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Leucine
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Isoleucine
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Valine
These three are the powerhouses for muscle recovery and performance. What makes them special is how they’re processed, they’re metabolised directly in the muscles (not the liver like most other amino acids), which means they kick in quickly during and after training.
For me, as a mountain biker, that’s massive. Whether I’m pushing through long climbs or hitting the gym on a rest day, BCAAs help:
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Reduce muscle soreness
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Speed up recovery
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Prevent muscle breakdown
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Boost endurance
They’re especially handy during long rides or when I’m riding several days in a row. I’ll sip on Naked BCAAs mid-ride or post-session, and I’ve genuinely noticed a difference in how quickly my legs bounce back. This is the one I would pop in my water bottle for direct help on the trail.
What I’ve Felt Using BCAAs:
Faster recovery after tough trails
Less DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) the day after
My legs feel fresher and stronger, even after multiple days of hard riding
If you do high-intensity sports and fitness like mountain biking, CrossFit, or weight training, you’ll definitely notice a difference. I used to feel completely wrecked after two days of hard riding, but now I bounce back quicker and can stay consistent with my training.
How Are They Different?
While EAAs include all nine, BCAAs focus on the three most important for muscle recovery leucine, isoleucine, and valine. I’ve been using Naked BCAAs either mid-ride (on long training days) or straight after workouts. Again, no flavour, no sweeteners, no rubbish just clean ingredients and with more instant results.
Why Supplements Like EAAs and BCAAs Matter in MTB
Mountain biking is full-on. Between the climbs, descents, technical sections, and the sheer length of some days out, your body burns through fuel fast. EAAs and BCAAs help:
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Prevent muscle breakdown during long rides
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Support lean muscle growth
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Reduce recovery time
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Improve hydration and performance when mixed with water
For me, it's not about taking a hundred different powders. It’s about choosing clean, effective supplements that actually support what I do on and off the bike. But this doesn't just go for mountain bikers, these are important for us all.
What Makes Naked Nutrition Stand Out?
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No artificial sweeteners or colours
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Vegan-friendly
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Gluten-free
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Lab-tested for quality and purity
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Just clean, effective amino acid supplements
I love that their products are stripped back! No fluff, no fillers, just what your body needs in convention tub.
Final Thoughts: Are They Worth It?
Yes. If you’re serious about performance and recovery like me, especially in a physically demanding sport like mountain biking Naked Nutrition’s EAAs and BCAAs are 100% worth trying.
They help me ride longer, recover faster, and keep my legs feeling strong day after day. And the best bit? They’re clean and simple, with no hidden nasties. I’ll definitely be keeping them in my routine, especially through race season. I wish I had these when I was doing the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. I could not recommend these enough to any of you who are looking to up there training and fitness recovery.
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