I just started going back to the gym today and am thinking about getting some supplements to support my workout once I get my routine down. I'm definitely going to buy creatine,glutamine, and a protien powder. But I'm wondering if there's anything else others use that work.
Workout supplements that you use
- Thread starter dmm26
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Real food is all you need.
This.
But every now and then I use Healthy 'N Fit Whey Protein. I think it's a brand associated solely with the Vitamin Shoppe. I've been using it for nearly a decade. No complaints.
+1
It's hard to beat a good meal and snacks. I use to take Astavita to help during heavy training and a good recovery drink for after intense training's. I've never tried Creatine or any of the other GNC or health food marketing gimmicks.
Protein powder is all I use, and I probably wouldn't even use that if my diet was better. I've thought about trying a pre workout stim just to see if it did anything other than give me the jitters, but I haven't bothered yet.
Glutamine is a waste of money. There is very little evidence that it does anything.
Place your dollars into pre and post workout nutrition. Go for fast carbs and proteins... don't get anything with stimulants as it will just make you burn out eventually (tolerance, and eventual adrenal fatigue)
if you are cheap, you can mix whey with gatoraid powder. If you are less cheap you can buy some rice sugar and some hydrolysed whey and roll your own. If you are feeling decadent, you can buy some premixed protein sugar water from anyplace really. I used to like biotest before I started rolling my own.
Creatine is cheap and okay to use but you wont see much benefit unless you have your other ducks in a row and even then it will be very minimal.
All of this is very irrelevant unless you are working out properly and eating correctly most of the time.
Place your dollars into pre and post workout nutrition. Go for fast carbs and proteins... don't get anything with stimulants as it will just make you burn out eventually (tolerance, and eventual adrenal fatigue)
if you are cheap, you can mix whey with gatoraid powder. If you are less cheap you can buy some rice sugar and some hydrolysed whey and roll your own. If you are feeling decadent, you can buy some premixed protein sugar water from anyplace really. I used to like biotest before I started rolling my own.
Creatine is cheap and okay to use but you wont see much benefit unless you have your other ducks in a row and even then it will be very minimal.
All of this is very irrelevant unless you are working out properly and eating correctly most of the time.
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- Thread starter
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Well I have someone to show me the ropes again for right now, and I am getting a meal plan together, so I think I'll be alright.
I was just wondering if anyone used like NO xplode, or xyience and saw any results?
I was just wondering if anyone used like NO xplode, or xyience and saw any results?
The only thing NO XPLODE is going to do is EXPLODE your wallet... as in you wont have any more money after you are done with it.
Stick with non stimulant formulas. Once again, biotest SURGE is a great pre/post workout formula without breaking the bank or sending you into adrenal fatigue. There are a bunch of sugar/protein combos out there. Look for the ones with the hydrolised or protein because it gets to your muscles very quickly from your stomach.
And I can't stress this enough, none of it even matters if you aren't putting a big stressor on your body. Squats, deadlifts, benchpress, rows, farmers walks, standing press, pullups...
Stick to mainly big compound movements for now, and spend more time than you want to on your legs, they are your bodies biggest muscles and will get your metabolism in gear!
Stick with non stimulant formulas. Once again, biotest SURGE is a great pre/post workout formula without breaking the bank or sending you into adrenal fatigue. There are a bunch of sugar/protein combos out there. Look for the ones with the hydrolised or protein because it gets to your muscles very quickly from your stomach.
And I can't stress this enough, none of it even matters if you aren't putting a big stressor on your body. Squats, deadlifts, benchpress, rows, farmers walks, standing press, pullups...
Stick to mainly big compound movements for now, and spend more time than you want to on your legs, they are your bodies biggest muscles and will get your metabolism in gear!
I drink whey protein periodically, I'm trying to diet somewhat and my protein is going down too. So I'm trying to balance it out.
All I use is protein and creatine. If you eat right you should not need supplements. I mix my creatine in with the protein for an after work out drink. I am more concerned about recovery than any thing else. The faster your muscles recover from a work out the faster and harder you can work them again. I still only do major muscles groups 2X per week.
Get the protein in your system with in a half hour of the end of your work out for best results.
I also take a multivitamin but I don't always eat the best.
Get the protein in your system with in a half hour of the end of your work out for best results.
I also take a multivitamin but I don't always eat the best.
I use the whey protein, but I use it to make a smoothie with fruit, yogurt and wheat germ. Its easier to do that than eat breakfast since I leave the house at 5:00 on gym days. It tides me over until my midmorning snack. I never thought of it as a training supplement, but rather a way to pack breakfast in a drink. I do take a multivitamin.
On running days I leave later and eat a real breakfast.
On running days I leave later and eat a real breakfast.
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The only time you need to start worrying about supplementing normal nutrition is if you're actively and aggressively training towards a specific goal as an athlete or competitor. Otherwise, you're just wasting your money.
I agree, again.
When I was younger I used a lot of supplements. Large amounts of vitamins, ephedrine products - these were the NO Xplode type of supplement of my youth, before they banned the essential ingredient, - creatine, etc. I don't do any of that now and I'm in better shape than I've ever been. Eat healthy, exercise regularly, rest when you need to. It takes time and patience, but if you're diligent, you will see results.
None. Put your money towards food
All of it should come from the kitchen if you are doing it correctly.
Be careful with the protein drinks as well. They can be hard on your kidneys and some doctors will recommend cycling (eg drink for 3 months, take off 3 months) for the protein shakes.
I always get a kick out of these guys at the gym with gym bags full of supplements and pills.
All of it should come from the kitchen if you are doing it correctly.
Be careful with the protein drinks as well. They can be hard on your kidneys and some doctors will recommend cycling (eg drink for 3 months, take off 3 months) for the protein shakes.
I always get a kick out of these guys at the gym with gym bags full of supplements and pills.
Beer.
What no pizza?
I am going ahead and say unless you already have kidney problems and unless you are super old... there aren't going to be problems with whey or other protein drinks. I would be more worried about trace contaminates and heavy metals in the whey that bad companies peddle as high quality stuff.
Overall the need for any kind of protein shake is pretty minimal but if you feel like you want that extra edge, by all means get whatever you deem acceptable. I have already outlined my opinions on the matter.
Actually, on second thought, let me moderate my previous post a bit.
You'd be well served by breaking down exactly what you want from your workouts and trying to identify what you need to achieve those goals. Maybe you do need to add something to your diet to help you get there, but maybe you just need to tweak what you're doing already.
Most guys err on the side of overdoing things and buying too many products. You know the guy with the new $700 driver every year who still has a wicked slice? Or the guy who has a $10K stereo in his '89 Civic? That's the same guy who starts loading up on expensive and unnecessary supplements as soon as he starts working out. The same attitude that says "Tiger uses this brand of balls, so I'll buy them too" leads you to "this bodybuilder or this football player uses this supplement, so I will too."
First get the fundamentals right, then look at taking it to the next level. When you start reaching bodybuilder or NFL player level of fitness, that's when the supplements should come in.
You'd be well served by breaking down exactly what you want from your workouts and trying to identify what you need to achieve those goals. Maybe you do need to add something to your diet to help you get there, but maybe you just need to tweak what you're doing already.
Most guys err on the side of overdoing things and buying too many products. You know the guy with the new $700 driver every year who still has a wicked slice? Or the guy who has a $10K stereo in his '89 Civic? That's the same guy who starts loading up on expensive and unnecessary supplements as soon as he starts working out. The same attitude that says "Tiger uses this brand of balls, so I'll buy them too" leads you to "this bodybuilder or this football player uses this supplement, so I will too."
First get the fundamentals right, then look at taking it to the next level. When you start reaching bodybuilder or NFL player level of fitness, that's when the supplements should come in.
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As mentioned a good, balanced nutritional diet is all you need, maybe a little protein supp. here and there...beyond that the only supplements that really work are steroids (not recommended), that's what all the guys that endorse all the other supplements really take anyway. There's actually a good documentary out on the subject if anyone wants to check it out...it's called "Bigger, Stronger, Faster"...available for streaming on Netflix for those that have it.
Some excellent advice so far. I don't think that you need to go crazy about supplements. If you see the logo on the floor of the cage in an UFC match, you probably don't need it. I like to take some protein after a workout because that give me some leeway about when I eat dinner. You can also address this with normal foods. After the last summer Olympics, I heard Michael Phelps' trainers talking about an elaborate post-workout drink that they make for him. Then one of the guys mentioned that you can also substitute a glass of low fat chocolate milk and get just about the same results.
I'm no longer a heavy caffeine user but, in addition to my morning cup of Joe, I might have a caffeinated drink before I work out. There are some recent studies that show that caffeine induces measurable, slightly better performance. I just do it to wake up.
Don't forget water intake and sleep too.
I'm no longer a heavy caffeine user but, in addition to my morning cup of Joe, I might have a caffeinated drink before I work out. There are some recent studies that show that caffeine induces measurable, slightly better performance. I just do it to wake up.
Don't forget water intake and sleep too.
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