Essential Bodybuilding Supplements

[admin]

I'm going to give my opinion on bodybuilding supplements, and share yours too! I'm not saying I'm right, I'm definitely not the biggest or the leanest, so it's just an opinion.

I'm cheap when it comes to supplements. I hate the fact that we spend so much on on our diet, then on a cycle, so I try to spend as little as possible when it comes to supplements.

Last summer, I probably got in the best shape of my life, and was taking almost no supplements at the time.

Whey - This is the one essential supplement that everyone should take, post workout, along with something like dextrose, waxymaize, etc. To be honest, I think over the next few years, research will show this 'anabolic window' immediately after your workout isn't important as we all think, and I think there are actually some studies out there that have some points on this already. But for the now, I'll use it, and everyone should.

Any whey will do. I use trueprotein with dextrose mixed in. When guys are bulking, they'll take as much as 2:1 dextrose to protein, ie 80g dextrose, 40g protein. I've never liked this idea, though I haven't bulked in about 6-7 years, I just don't like the idea of that much sugar. I usually take around 20-30g post workout, and have gone years with no dextrose postworkout.

Brands
If I'm out of Trueprotein, I'll grab whatever that is decent and on sale, usually EAS or ON (though expensive here). You can get dextrose at a wine shop for almost nothing.

Multivitamin - I take a multivitamin, but this is another supplement that I think is a bit over rated, especially when you aren't trying to lose weight. When you are on calorie restriction, better yet, food restriction, these multivitamins could be useful. But when you are maintaining, or bulking, 1) you should have a fairly large variety of foods, and 2) You're eating frequently and should be getting everything you need. I've gone years taking one, and years not taking one, and I couldn't tell a difference. In the long run? Maybe.

Brands
Highest Quality - Animal Pak and Orange Triad. I opted to try OT for their joint support, instead of having to take AP and joint support. However, Orange Triad lacked calcium, so I bought NOW Coral Calcium, as I rarely have dairy. The joint support seemed to help a bit, but I still experience some pain, especially after a lot of activity.

Less Expensive - ON Optimen. I haven't tried ON's product, but you can count on them to have a good multivitamin. I haven't looked at the ingredients, so I can't comment on it specifically, but like I said, ON has a good rep so they can be trusted. Another is NOW Adam. It's a complete mutlivitamin, and one of the cheapest on the market. NOW also makes quality products, so this will also do the trick.

Fish Oils
I take two types of fish oils. I take two 1g capsules in the AM, and 1.5 tbsp of oil in the PM.

As with the two previous supplements, I believe this to be a bit over rated... when it comes to fat loss. I believe, if you are taking this product, take it for the health benefits, not for the fat loss. Fish oil helps very minimal in terms of fat loss, not worth the cost. Heath wise, cardiovascular, etc, and for omega 3s, I think it is wise to take, especially if you don't eat fish. I take roughly 20g of Omega 3s a day, and about 70g of total fats a day. I try to keep my ration 1:1:1 or close to it. We don't have enough omega 3s in our diets.

Brands
There are many brands of fish oil, and I don't have a lot of experience on many of them. But I take the Costco capsules for the AM, and Nutrasea for the oil. They do get a bit expensive, I don't know how long I will take both, it's been a few months now.

Protein Blend
Three of my meals a day are in the form of liquids. I have a shake with powder, oatmeal, frozen fruit and have a bit of fat, usually from nuts.
It's covenient, and it worked well for me. Everyone always says don't rely on shakes, but it worked for me, so why switch if I don't have to. Blends are great for adding protein to your daily amounts. If I have a meal which is low in protein, I'll add a scoop or half a scoop after my meal.

Brands
I make my blend from Trueprotein.com (5% off Coupon KEB246). I usually blend some whey concentrate(because I'm cheap lol), whey isolate, casein, whole egg, milk isolate, egg white. I find that's a nice blend that gives me good variety. I was out of TP this week and bouth Gaspari Myofusion, and it's an amazing product. Great blend, unbelievable taste, and one of the cheaper proteins on the market.

Preworkout no2
Tried this for the first time when LG Sciences gave me a sample, and I was blown away. I did this post cycle, and I don't think anyone should come off a cycle without it. However, you have to realize you aren't taking it for the false muscle gains, but for the mental aspects it gives, which is crucial when coming off a cycle. It gives you energy, motivation, and intensity before your workout, all which is much needed when coming off a cycle. Physically, it gives you great pumps, feeling that you are still on a cycle. Not the cheapest supplement, but when coming off, or even clean, it makes me feel great and can't wait to get to the gym after I take it.

Brands
I first tried LG Sciences, and really enjoyed it. I tried a sample of Controlled Labs White Flood (think that's the name), it was 'okay'. I also tried a sample of Labrada's product, and it was just 'okay' as well. The first one I bought after LG Sciences was NO Shotgun, and I really liked it, and continue to use it. LG Sciences has since changed their formula, so I'd like to try theirs again. Jack3d is another one I want to try.

Glutamine
I've never taken glutamine, and never believed in it. I've seen studies that say it doesn't work, but have also read testimonials of people who swear by it. In terms of recovery, I only train one bodypart per week, so speeding up recovery is not a big deal for me.

In the end, with a good diet, I think you can get away with minimal supplements, none really, if you wanted. But I think for right now I'd still stick with whey and dextrose post workout. The rest are really up to you, and how much money you want to spend. There are young kids getting suckered into every marketing pitch from every supplement company. There are literally thousands of teenagers spending $300-$500 PER MONTH on supplements, hoping to gain even a few pounds, it's mind boggling.

Like I said at the beginning, I got lean and strong taking mostly whey and my protein blend. Adding fish oil, vitamins and even fat burners didn't seem to effect me much, but for long term health, they may be worth the money.

[^mR.]

I would have to agree with all of what you have said admin, good post hope your going to be a little more active these days

The only real suppliment i take is whey protein and a good diet to match never really take a multi V before and been very slack on taking my fish oil as well been well over a year.

Actually I might start taking these and see if i see any real benifits and ill post back here.

One thing i will try is Preworkout no2 Im off cycle atm and dieting so i think this would work wonders for me.

[b-real]

I agree 100%. These are exactly the same supplements I use daily (except the NO2, however I do want to try it) I really think anything else is a waste of money and time. I also agree with the post workout comment. I stopped taking the post workout shakes a few months ago...unless my body really feels like it needs it. There are studies showing its very over-rated and as long as your eating on a every 3 hr schedule your body will utilize those macros and micros just as efficiently when it needs to. There are also studies showing glutamine is a waste at high doses. I mix one tbl spoon with every morning shake and I feel thats enough. Anything in excess is broken down and pissed out after its made a few rounds in the liver and kidneys. Diet is the one and only thing everyone needs to have in check and everything will just fall in place.

[DBOY]

great post admin, i was really big on taking everything vitamins, creatine, glutamine, flaxseed oil, milk thistle, vit c, etc....all during my first cycle plus a well planned bulking diet...anyway i had so many things to take or stick, i started slipping on all the vitamins n stuff. I realized that i didnt notice any difference.. So i would have to agree that as long as your diet is in check, the extras dont really matter that much.........but i would like to try the no2............thanks for clarifying something i had experienced by accident

[cookiedough]

I take 10 x 1,000 mg fish oil/ omega 3 oil caps ed. 5 in a.m. 5 in p.m. If I miss a day or two I notice it w/dryer skin and I'll start getting hang nails if it's more than a day. I also take EAS protein powder from CostCo @ $5/pound. That's the cheapest protein I've ever found. I take a variety of other sups on cycle, but it is expensive. I also get the giant bottles of oil caps @ CostCo, best pricing on those too.

[koa123]

I have tried everything Bill Phillips (muscei media 2000) made a lot of money off me. I now only take a pre w/o, multi vitamin ,fish or flax oil and whey protien. I also think primo is an essential supplement.

[randyh]

Bump Admin, but I'd add BCAA's to the mix

[admin]

Originally Posted by randyh

Bump Admin, but I'd add BCAA's to the mix

I've tried them for a month, so I can't really give a personal experience. I have a bottle here from LG Sciences, which I'll take soon, but even still, it will be too hard to tell. I feel with the BCAAs in whey, that is enough. But then again, I'm not trying to get bigger.

Originally Posted by koa123

I have tried everything Bill Phillips (muscei media 2000) made a lot of money off me. I now only take a pre w/o, multi vitamin ,fish or flax oil and whey protien. I also think primo is an essential supplement.

That's the thing, with marketing these days, the internet, and all these companies have 'reps', that any new supplement that comes out, you have a bunch of kids claiming it's the greatest thing ever. But the truth is most the time, people making these claims don't even look like they work out.

Originally Posted by cookiedough

I take 10 x 1,000 mg fish oil/ omega 3 oil caps ed. 5 in a.m. 5 in p.m. If I miss a day or two I notice it w/dryer skin and I'll start getting hang nails if it's more than a day. I also take EAS protein powder from CostCo @ $5/pound. That's the cheapest protein I've ever found. I take a variety of other sups on cycle, but it is expensive. I also get the giant bottles of oil caps @ CostCo, best pricing on those too.

I was hoping that when I went from a couple caps in the morning, to the tbsps I would notice a difference in my skin, but I don't.

[kj1212]

I take a B Complex in the morning. I really do notice a difference as far as energy levels are concerned. Most energy drinks are basically just caffeine, sugar, and a B Complex.

[powerman]

White Flood or jack pre workout with 10 g of BCAAs + 10g of glutamine 3 beta alinine caps + coffee+

post workot 50g of whey with 16 ozs. of skim milk

fish oil
multivitamin (whatevers on sale)
glucosime/chondrotin
Casein protein before bed or 8 ozs of beef or chicken

ZMA before bed

[breakthrough]

The best shape I've ever been in required zero supplements, AAS or weights. I did calesthenics and lots of cardio with a low carb diet high in lean meats and greens so I can relate to you Admin about that. I wasn't at my strongest and my muscles were not at their biggest but I looked better then than I ever have before or now for sure.

[randyh]

Bump Supy on the Glucosimine/chondroitin (i forgot about added them to my list), I eat um like their m&m's...Great for the joints!

[admin]

Just a note: The Orange Triad I take has joint support, including Glucosamine.

[cookiedough]

I Forgot to mention the EAS protein from CostCo has BCAAs.

[breakthrough]

Originally Posted by cookiedough

I Forgot to mention the EAS protein from CostCo has BCAAs.

Sams has that too. 5lbs for $28. Don't let WW see this lol.

[Chal]

I've never tried the no2. I like your enthusiasm on it. Maybe will try. Nice post. I don't believe in those compressed multi vits either. Haven't taken anything like that in years. I suppose there could be merit if you were seriously deficient though.

[randyh]

Originally Posted by cookiedough

I Forgot to mention the EAS protein from CostCo has BCAAs.

I've always consider EAS areputable supp company.. I'll go to costo today and get some of that

[boknows21075]

I take a vita pack f/ gnc edand add fishoil pill for omegas, tri flex w/ glucosimine and condroitin, no xplode pre workout .I us monster milk for protein and believe it contains bcaa s. I also have muscle generator f/ ads. I take it occasionally post workout. Helps a little w/ soreness. Does anyone else take anything post workout? Not seeing much there.

[admin]

Just wanted to bump and update this.
I have finished off about 6-8 months of Orange Triad multivitamin with joint support. I am now switching to NOW Adam, which is one of the cheapest, but an excellent multivitamin. And for joint support I am trying Animal Flex for about 6 months. It's really expensive, but with Orange Triad, though it did help, I still got some pains. I want to see if Animal Flex is that much better.

[neveroutgunned80]

HEY ADMIN,
heres a list of my supps, and look into Tri-Flex, best stuff ive encountered in a long time for joint health.
fish oil
selenium
beta-alanine
hmb
vit E
cla
L-carnitine
creatine/189 amp
multi/prenatels
tribulus
ginko
flax
gaba
arginine
bcaa
superfoods vegie sup
potein/ amp 60gr per 1 gr fat

i have a retard size pill case, but amazingly i can feel a major difference any day i forget.

[touso07]

I am using Whey protein nowadays.Some days before i was taking CREATINE which was not so much beneficial for me.Whey protein (the highest quality and best form of protein) is incredible stuff. It provides the body with the necessary building blocks to produce amino acids that are used for building muscle tissue. Whoa! Nearly every bodybuilder knows the importance of protein supplementation.

Studies have been conducted that compare whey protein to other sources. They have found that whey protein contains the perfect combination of overall amino acid makeup... and in just the right concentrations for optimal performance in the body. Both hormonal and cellular responses seem to be greatly enhanced with supplementation of whey protein, too! Not to mention the benefits whey protein has on the body's immune system according to documented scientific research.

Whey protein also plays a role as an antioxidant and helps support a health immune system. Most importantly, consistent whey protein intake coupled with exercise will result in consistent muscle building

[chiselmeat]

Gee, your kind of a small guy aren't you Touso07?

[thugjitsu]

Originally Posted by chiselmeat

Gee, your kind of a small guy aren't you Touso07?

Thats why he is here. To pack some muscle on that frame. And at 65lbs he has nowhere to go but up!

[masswithclass]

He's very lean...you gotta give him that!

[koa123]

I read some where you could buy size but not shape.