After a couple of years of sitting around during the pandemic, people are intent on getting off the couch and doing something about those spare tires, it seems. However, what may have started as a weight-support or muscle-building binary, the growth in the sector is reflective of an overall evolution, which now includes everyday active people looking for wellness solutions in addition to condition-specific outcomes.

Retail and trends tracker SPINS reports 8% growth in wellness bars and gels, 10% growth in protein supplements and meal replacements, 37% growth in pre-workouts, and a whopping 39% spike in performance nutrition. Further, 64% of sports nutrition users said they take these products to improve their general health—a giant opening for a category evolving “whey” beyond protein powder tubs and the muscle-bound gym rat crowd.

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Viewpoint: Innovation runs up the score

Content Director Todd Runestad is in midseason form explaining the parallels between the evolving game of baseball and the current market for sports nutrition supplement ingredients. Innovation happens to be a hallmark of both. Supercharged electrolytes, creatine for cognitive health, and precision fermentation are in his personal lineup.

Active nutrition overtakes sports enthusiasts

Nearly two-thirds of sports nutrition users said they take supplement products to improve their general health, according to Nutrition Business Journal. It’s just one of numerous findings summarized here after a recent survey of active lifestyle consumers. The consumer shift has led to the launch of a new generation of fast-acting joint-health ingredients, which take perhaps five to seven days to work, including eggshell membrane and frankincense.

5 muscle-friendly sports supplement ingredients

Denis Faye recognizes that “bro science” followers still scoop protein powder aplenty, but now fitness seekers of all stripes are looking to safe supplementation to build muscle, improve athletic performance, and stave off muscle wasting. In the spotlight are well-recognized muscle-enhancing ingredients like protein, creatine and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), as well as emerging entrants like hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

The 5 best up-and-coming recovery ingredients

Today’s athletes are reaching for promising supplement ingredients like tart cherry, ATP and type II collagen when they want to feel better—and get back to action sooner—Nick Collias relates. In an associated play, consumers considering sports supplements are responding to claims like less fatigue during training, joint support, faster recovery, building muscle and improved stamina.

The rise of hydration supplements: Millennials lead the charge

The sports sector has been a natural market for hydration supplements, as intense workouts often lead to electrolyte imbalances, writes SPINS’ Scott Dicker. But the current growth burst in the category is being driven by young sports enthusiasts and the hangover remedy crowd.

The evolution of esports—and what it means for supplements

The ’90s gamer stereotype is a far cry from today’s esports gamer taking the competitive sports arena by storm. Today’s competitor is often a finely tuned athlete, and supplement ingredient companies are targeting this bunch directly, explains Rachel Adams. OmniActive’s Lutemax 2020, a patented extract of marigold flowers, and PLT’s Nutricog Cognitive Performance Complex, a patented combination of haritaki and boswellia standardized to gallic acid, ellagic acid and amyrins, are some of the next-gen gamer-centric offerings.

The gut-muscle axis: A new innovation target

New ingredients that help athletes tackle the gastrointestinal (GI) issues associated with heavy training are starting to shape the industry, contends Sophie Zillinger. While whey proteins and carbohydrate drinks continue to own a significant share of this market, new ingredients that activate the gut-muscle axis include premium plant proteins and gut-supporting agents like prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics.

Examples of active nutrition takeaways for your business include: