The Building Blocks of Sports Nutrition* A steady supply of amino acids fuel hard-working muscles when taken before, during, or even after exercise. As the building blocks of protein, amino acids are essential for building muscle and promoting post-workout recovery.* NOW® Sports amino acid supplements are always the natural ‘L’ form amino acids. NOW offers a selection of the 20 common amino acids – including essential, non-essential, conditionally essential, and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) that are so critical for recovery.* All products are carefully tested for purity and potency.