Supplements

[Madlax16]

I started an NO2 supplement a month ago and it has done wonders for strength. I was wondering, does anyone have any preferences in certain mass gainers? I want to gain weight but keep the definition. We had a kid that was on our team for like a month that started a mass builder but all it did was make him look like the michelin(sp?) man, and that is what id like to keep away from. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Sonny]

gain weight but keep the definition

That is misnomer.

Your "definition" is a function of your overall fat level (% bodyfat). You can gain weight (muscle or fat) and you can likewise lose weight (muscle and/or fat).

Good article from a great site on Weight Training (EXRX.net):
http://www.exrx.net/WeightTraining/Myths.html

[Beta]

So you want to gain muscle but trim fat?

1) I recommend not taking ANY supplements.
2) Work out your legs more and your body will produce more testosterone.
3) Avoid soy products (soy is pro-estrogen) and eat less foods with tons of chemicals/dyes in them.

[norway]

the only supplements that will have the effect you are looking for are illegal. you can do it naturally w/out supplements, but it takes some time. at most you can expect to gain maybe 2 lbs. of muscle per month if you do everything correct and even that kind of gain takes someone w/ the genetic build up to make that attainable. good luck.

[LaxTV_Admin]

So you want to gain muscle but trim fat?

1) I recommend not taking ANY supplements.

I would disagree to not take any supplements. There are lots of supplements that can help your body.

2) Work out your legs more and your body will produce more testosterone.
3) Avoid soy products (soy is pro-estrogen) and eat less foods with tons of chemicals/dyes in them.

I would agree these two are extremely important when weightlifting. Legs are always ignored but are extremely important in building a complete physique (both strength and looks).

I don't know what weight training program you are on, which makes it difficult to recommend supplements. Some supplements are better for different styles of training (hypertrophy, mass strength, cutting phase, etc.). However, generally speaking I think the following supplements are all you really need:

1. Creatine - A must. This will increase your weight without necessarily forcing you to gain fat. However, that depends on your eating, your body's response, etc. Note, that Creatine should not be taken if you are not going to do resistance training. Also, it is absolutely imperative you keep your water levels high to get any impact from Creatine and that you properly stack it.

2. Glutamine - An essential amino acid for building muscle. I like to take a Gultamine/Creatine mix with a bonding agent like Taurine.

3. HMB - This is great for losing fat but keeping muscle. I recommend using this during a phase in which you are trying to retain muscle but lose overall weight.

Obviously, protein shakes should be taken as needed. Also, I don't know how much reading you have done, but I would recommend doing a lot of research before taking any supplements. All people's bodies react differently to different supplements. I have told friends I swore by Creatine, and for them it did very little, but for me my bench and squat significantly improved. So, all in all, you need to be aware of benefits and risks.

Anyhow, that was kind of a long answer to a short question, but it is what it is. There is a website http://www.bodybuilding.com which has tons of articles available to you to read (they are not all about bodybuilding). There are lots of books, but one of my favorites is Serious Strength Training.

Good luck.

[Beta]

Why shortcut something involving your health? While there are no studies about the long term effects of creatine-use since it is a relatively new supplement...that doesn't mean it's a great idea to take it.

Do it natural, don't cheat. Water weight and ripped doesn't easily go hand-in-hand.

[OklahomaLax45]

www.eas.com has a lot, specifically www.bodyforlife.com

they got a lot of good stuff on there, along with great nutrition guides and work out schedules. Very Legit. I got a few guys on my team and friends on a couple of them.

I talked with one of their reps the other day. He claimed you can do anything you want for supplements, shakes, working out, etc, but its the nutrition that'll push you ahead...so along with healthy workouts, be sure to keep that up

[primelax]

I worked in a sports nutrition store through college, and worked a lot with local football, track, and baseball athletes. Supplements are just that they are there to supplement those areas which are hard to address from a normal athletic diet. Glutamine is great for rebuilding and keeping gh levels high. It is the most abundent amino acid found in the muscle tissue. The problem arises during strenuous activity your body cannot keep up production compared to usage, so supplementing it at 10 to 20grams a day is important. I never liked creatine when I played! The extra muscle building that it provides I thought was cancelled out by the water weight that I carried on the field. Some of the newer creatine mixtures say that it does not cause excess water retintion, and to me this means it does not work. For most athletes coming out of high school gaining weight to compete at the college level is a must. A good quality weight gainer will help emensly in providing extra calories that is almost impossible to get through normal solid food. The reason being is you can get 800 calories in 2 min with a shake and be done with it. We all know how hard it is to balance school and lacrosse and slaving away over a stove is sometimes not an option. The key to weight gainers is to get one comprised of malto dextrin or even beter oatmeal sourced carbs. these are the lowest glycemic carbs(long lasting) and will give you the most weight gain. I could write forever. If you have any questions on a certain supp. PM me.

Eric Dion

[LaxTV_Admin]

One more note and then I will leave it alone.

Each person has to decide the risks involved in choosing what supplements to take (or not to take). For every article saying x is bad, you can find one saying x is good (outside anabolic steroids). There

Proper nutrition, sleep, and strong workout planning are more important than supplements will ever be. So without those three, supplements are essential worthless. [As a result of this fact, I do not see supplements as cheating].

Proper cycling of supplements is as important as which ones you take. You should cycle your supplements (just like your workouts) around when you want your peak performance. I would never suggest taking creatine in season.

I think you should read some stuff by the experts who have concrete data to support their information and make a decision for yourself. Good luck.

[ZagGrad]

I was actually going to start a topic like this last week...nice.

I had a Creatine phase in college that didn't last long due to the effects I was feeling at the time. Since then, I've tried Phosphagen HP, which is a Creatine supplement, and I've noticed good results. I always make sure to remain hydrated while I'm on it. For now, it's about the only stuff I trust against others like NO Explode and Ripped Fuel.

As far as long term effects are concerned, how long is needed in order to define whether or not a supplement is good? Creatine has been around for 15 years or more.

[Beta]

As far as long term effects are concerned, how long is needed in order to define whether or not a supplement is good? Creatine has been around for 15 years or more.

There's still a lot of research going on as to what kind of effect creatine has on your kidneys, liver, etc. While it may not have the same negative results that come with HGH (organ damage, shrinkage, home run records, etc)...in order to continue with the performance that those supplements give you...you must continue to take them....or slowly ween off of them and increase your workout in order to maintain the muscle/water you put on.

(my highly biast statements only are for creatine, no2, etc and not for things like CLA, Flax Seed Oils and other naturally occuring compounds in foods)

Read this, and you'll have all the motivation you'll ever need.

http://www.gymjones.com/knowledge.php?id=35

Awesome.

[LaxTV_Admin]

Read this, and you'll have all the motivation you'll ever need.

http://www.gymjones.com/knowledge.php?id=35

Awesome.

Sweet Article.

[davidre]

(my highly biast statements only are for creatine, no2, etc and not for things like CLA, Flax Seed Oils and other naturally occuring compounds in foods)

Creatine occurs naturally in meats and fish, your body even makes a little of it on its own. While the misuse of creatine (as with any other supplement or medicine you put in your body) can be bad, I think it has gotten an unfair rep based on other illegal items it has been taken with (like with Mark Mcguire).
It seems that when it comes down to nutrients that help you gain muscle (protein, creatine, etc) it is frowned upon when taken in supplemental form; however, when somebody takes a multi-vitamin to get more iron, vitamin-C, etc. nobody really cares.

[Beta]

Creatine occurs naturally in meats and fish, your body even makes a little of it on its own.

Yes creatine is indeed produced by your body, but in small doses. Creatine is found some fishes (fishii?) and meats. But to get the amount of creatine that you get in the loading phase you need to eat over 15 steaks, or for the dosage phase...another 5-8 steaks. That's not normal, although I wish it was cuz that sounds good to my stomach right now. To get an overage of protein sufficient for decent muscle growth..you can get one gram of protein per body pound..so 150->225 grams of protein is pretty easily obtained with eggs, milk, peanuts, etc etc.

It seems that when it comes down to nutrients that help you gain muscle (protein, creatine, etc) it is frowned upon when taken in supplemental form; however, when somebody takes a multi-vitamin to get more iron, vitamin-C, etc. nobody really cares.

Only because most beginners that take creatine turn into the michelin man in 2 weeks.



Do it natural.

[ZagGrad]

To get an overage of protein sufficient for decent muscle growth..you can get one gram of protein per body pound..so 150->225 grams of protein is pretty easily obtained with eggs, milk, peanuts, etc etc.

I've done this diet before...wake up, drink a protein shake with water instead of milk, a couple of hard boiled eggs, followed by pb/j sandwiches at lunch, and some tuna/chicken at dinner. I'd stay away from the eggs just because of the cholesterol, but tuna and chicken (skinless) are great sources of protein.

I've also lifted with and without supplements and the only difference I can see/tell is that with the creatine I notice the results sooner rather than later. I've never looked like the michelin man either, but I think that has more to do with my metabolism than anything else.