Fitness & Supplements

[Warrian]

I've been working out for quite a while now. Since then, I have been using various supplements (Protein, Glutamine, Creatine, etc) since I guess a lot of people seem to think they work. I'm convinced that the protein is worth it since I'd rather drink a shake than chomp down on 5 chicken breasts for the same amount of protein. The glutamine and creatine are up for argument I'm sure, but I think they work pretty well too.

Anyhow, my question to the guys on this board who work out and take supplements: What do you take and what do you think works well? I want to try new things but it's hard to read through the hype that a lot of these weight lifting sites put out. For example -- The other day I was reading a blog where a guy did a review on a certain product. He was going on and on about how amazing it was and how much of a pump it gave him. I was thinking to myself okay cool, this seems somewhat legit since it's a blog, right? Wrong. I scrolled down a little further and come to find out, he was selling the shit. "Only 8 jugs left, get them while they last!".

[GrobbeeTrull]

Be careful with creatine. A guy I grew up with, lives in my neighborhood, was really in to it. He's got kidney problems now.

[Kaxmax]

Protein powder & fish oil capsules. Protein for the convenience, and fish oil for all the scientifically proven benefits. Creatine definitely works if you actually work out enough to use the reserves, but it always gives me serious gas/stomach cramps.

I generally avoid anything that promises a "pump" like the various NO crap out there, it's all a scam.

[Dabamf]

I take protein powder and NO-xplode. The NO is taken about 30 min before workout and keeps you focused and helps with intensity. The effect is subtle so it could all be placebo, but I don't think so. Must be taken on an empty or near-empty stomach though to get full effect.

Mostly I take it to make sure I get a good, intense workout. When I take it, I never have an "off" day where I don't feel like doing anything, whereas I do about once or twice a week (out of a 5-day workout week) if I don't take it. I think it's definately helpful, but it's fairly expensive and probably not worth it unless you lift intensly. If you are just tryin to get in reasonable shape and maybe build a little bit don't bother with it.

[Warrian]

Originally Posted by Dabamf

I take protein powder and NO-xplode. The NO is taken about 30 min before workout and keeps you focused and helps with intensity. The effect is subtle so it could all be placebo, but I don't think so. Must be taken on an empty or near-empty stomach though to get full effect.

Mostly I take it to make sure I get a good, intense workout. When I take it, I never have an "off" day where I don't feel like doing anything, whereas I do about once or twice a week (out of a 5-day workout week) if I don't take it. I think it's definately helpful, but it's fairly expensive and probably not worth it unless you lift intensly. If you are just tryin to get in reasonable shape and maybe build a little bit don't bother with it.

I've been on the NO-Xplode for 3 days now. The first day I took it I wasn't impressed (I took only one scoop since that's what it suggested as a first timer). The next day I took 2 scoops and I definitely felt something. There's no way it was placebo -- my body felt stimulated. I've also been taking Cellmass and Nitrean for a while now. I suppose there's only so many things out there that work and a lot of things that don't.

[Kaxmax]

It's not that NO-Xplode doesn't work, it's just the fact that the whole "NO" portion of it is bunk, and it's incredibly expensive for what amounts to arginine, creatine, and caffeine. The so called "pump" is very short-lived, and you can get the same thing from a $5 bottle of arginine. Creatine is creatine, a "muscle volumizing creatine matrix" that NO-Xplode promises works no better than the $5 generic bottle from Vitamin Shop.

The real stimulant effect of NOxplode is almost entirely from caffeine, 2 scoops is equivalent to 3-4 cups of coffee, if I remember correctly.

I always hate to get into supplement debates because it's such a polarizing topic, but I really hate to see people waste money.

[Soriak]

I take "Universal Animal Pak", which I think works pretty well... I do feel like I have less energy to do stuff when I don't take it for more than a few days. I also take "Optimum 100% Whey Protein" - not sure how helpful it is, but people on fitness-related message boards seem to like it and other than the taste (don't go for tropical fruit) I can't complain about any downside that I noticed.

That's about it though - I have some creatine remaining, but never quite felt the effect... I probably don't lift/work out enough for it to kick in and as has been mentioned, I won't risk kidney damage.

[Ham n Cheese]

I want to find this $5 creatine Kax speaks of.

That said I used to just take a protien shake after workouts and got pretty good results. Started trying creatine before a workout and didn't see much happening, but the shit was chalk flavored so I couldn't handle nearly gagging before ever workout any longer that it's been a while. I really need to go buy more protien powder though

[Goldenrod]

all ya really need a is a good creatine (creatine ethyl ester) > (monohydrate) cellmass has given me great gains in the past. protein powder (go for optimum whey, best bang for your buck) and some BCAAs (I use animal nitro)

[Kaxmax]

Yeah, maybe that was overstating it a bit. You can get it pretty damn cheap though if you buy the generic stuff from Vitamin Shop.

[calla]

what do you guys think of muscle milk? I've been using no-xplode and muscle milk pretty exclusively and have had decent results so far.

[Kaxmax]

It's one of the better tasting protein mixes out there, depending on which flavor you get. I personally don't like my protein powders to have a lot of carbs (MM has 30+ grams per serving), but your mileage may vary on that depending on body composition (hard gainers like the extra calories).

If anyone is looking for a good powder that's low in carbs, try Nitrean from atlargenutrition.com. Both chocolate & vanilla are good, it mixes well with milk or water, and the price is great.

[Avellon]

One of the best and most proven things to help your workout would be to take a Protein+Carb+BCAA shake mix during and after your workouts. You could always mix some protein powder with gatorade and some other stuff in the right amounts but I like Surge as post-workout nutrition.

[Ronne]

What the hell was ever so hard about eating chicken and rice for dinner? You guys sound like junkies; you seriousely have your own language~

[Celebrindal]

Not a schill, but I fully support anything that Biotest produces.

What I'm currently using:
Surge recovery - Workout shake (drink half before, sip throughout and finish post workout), it really helps with energy and recovery.
Metabolic Drive (formally Low Carb Grow!) - My favorite whey protein. It tastes good with water and the price is right.
Rez-V Anti-Estrogen/Pro Testosterone

With REZ-V you get the following possible benefits:

• Acts as both an estrogen antagonist and an aromatase inhibitor.
• Increases Testosterone without causing testicular shutdown
• Promotes blood vessel health and cardiovascular health in general
• Exhibits anti-cancer effects, particularly anti prostate-cancer effects
• Exhibits anti-aging effects
• Promotes fat loss
• Has anti-inflammatory properties
• Acts as an anti-oxidant
• Exhibits anti-arthritic effects
• Shows anti-fungal and anti-viral effects
• Acts as a liver protectant

Flameout! - Best fishoil I've ever taken. Large amount of DHA in these ('essential omega-3 fatty acid')

ZMA - Zinc and Magnesium. Can help promote testosterone and actually helps me sleep.

There are a few other supps from Biotest that I recommend, like Hot-Rox(fat burner), Alpha Male (pure testosterone), BCAA(branched chain amino acids)