Best Workout Supplements 2012

It’s a new year and there are some new workout supplements in town which are getting quite a lot of buzz for being highly effective in helping you stay motivated and get more results from your training.

You might have some reservations about supplements especially with the negative media frenzy on supplements made overseas (particularly Asia), but if you’re smart about it and do the research by looking at what others have reviewed heavily and found good results with then you can totally use them to your advantage.

I’m also going to break it down by goal for you so know exactly which phase of your training to use it for. Ready?

Best Workout Supplements 2012: Top 10 List

1. Name: Muscle Pharm Assault
   Function: Pre Workout Energy Matrix.
   Goal: Boost Motivation. Especially effective during leaning out phase, but can also be used during muscle gaining phase with a high carb intra-workout drink.
   Main Ingredients: Beta Alanine (Nitric Oxide) and Creatine.
   When to Use: 30 minutes before workout.
   Review: Muscle Pharm Assault is the newest of all the pre workout energy drinks and is used by male & female fitness and strength athletes to help with blasting through a plateau and gaining lean muscle mass.
   More info: Get more info on Muscle Pharm Assault.
2. Name: Optimum Opti-Men and Optimum Opti-Women
   Function: Multi Vitamin specifically designed for men and women.
   Goal: Boost Motivation. Provide essential vitamins and minerals particularly important for those training intensely or on a limited-diet.
   Main Ingredients: Vitamins A,C,D,E,K, B6/12, magnesium, and much more.
   When to Use: With meals.
   Review: When it comes to a brand you can trust, Optimum is definitely one of the best as they have a very strict quality control system and over 10,000 reviewers have rated it 9.2/10.
   More info: Get more info on Optimum Opti-Men & Optimum Opti-Women.
3. Name: Gaspari Nutrition Myofusion
   Function: Provide essential amino acids to help repair and build muscle.
   Goal: Reduce body fat and increase lean muscle mass.
   Main Ingredients: High quality Whey Protein.
   When to Use: Between meals as a ultra-healthy snack, up to 3 times per day.
   Review: Still my favorite protein powder as the taste and creamy non-grainy texture is so good you can mix it with tons of ice and have it as a chocolate or vanilla ice-cream substitute. No sugar added, aspartame free and very low in carbs.
   More info: Get more info on Gaspari Nutrition Myofusion.
4. Name: Scivation Xtend
   Function: Recovery of muscle tissue and reduced muscle pain.
   Goal: Anyone who is training intensely and has sore muscles will benefit.
   Main Ingredients: Branch Chained Amino Acids.
   When to Use: Immediately after workouts and even during workouts for those who are especially concerned about losing muscle mass.
   Review: Xtend is without a doubt a tried and tested supplement which is great for helping you recover from your workouts quicker and should be taken by anyone training more often than 3 times a week.
   More info: Get more info on Scivation Xtend.
5. Name: Now Ultra Omega-3
   Function: Cardiovascular support, improved brain function and aids in lubrication of joints.
   Goal: Anyone working out regularly and doesn’t eat fish on a regular basis.
   Main Ingredients: Omega 3 fatty acids.
   When to Use: Take with meals.
   Review: There are a lot of Omega-3/fish oil supplements in the market and few are tested for be free of potentially harmful contaminants like mercury and heavy metals, but NOW Ultra Omega-3 has strict quality control standards and is reviewed extensively to be one of the highest quality and affordable Omega’s in the market.
   More info: Get more info on NOW Ultra Omega-3.
6. Name: Muscle Pharm Shred Matrix
   Function: Thermogenic fat burner which increases energy levels and helps control cravings.
   Goal: Those looking to lose weight at an accelerated pace.
   Main Ingredients: Gaurana Seed (caffeine), green tea extract, saw palmetto, tumeric, ginseng.
   When to Use: Before breakfast, follow instructions.
   Review: Although there are a lot of fat burners/diet pills out there, most of them have quite a few harsh side effects and provide minimal results. Muscle Pharm has created this highly effective metabolism booster which also helps control crazy cravings and the ingredients are quite impressive and herbal. Take this only during your cutting phase when you are looking to lose excessive weight.
   More info: Get more info on Muscle Pharm Shred Matrix.
7. Name: Optimum Platinum Hydrobuilder
   Function: Protein blend for post workout.
   Goal: If you’re wanting to really gain lean muscle mass or are having muscle soreness that won’t go away.
   Main Ingredients: Whey Protein Isolate and Casein.
   When to Use: Immediately after exercise (preferably within the hour)
   Review: Hydrobuilder is an ultra high quality protein blend that is specifically formulated to help your muscles grow big and strong, and it’s slow digestion helps feed your muscles for hours after consumption thereby accelerating muscle recovery phase.
   More info: Get more info on Platinum Hydrobuilder.
8. Name: Advanced Allflex
   Function: Reduce joint pain.
   Goal: For those of you working out intensely, runners with knee pain, and those lifting heavy weights who need joint pain relief.
   Main Ingredients: MSM (natural sulfur compound which helps with joint collagen synthesis).
   When to Use: Immediately after fist meal of day.
   Review: There are few joint supplements that live up to their hype, but Advanced Allflex is one that has greatly benefited me and clients I have trained that have had joint pain issues.
   More info: Get more info on Advanced ALLFLEX.
9. Name: Magnum Nutraceuticals CLA
   Function: Metabolic activator for burning fat.
   Goal: Those looking to lose body fat without the use of stimulating ingredients.
   Main Ingredients: CLA.
   When to Use: Three times daily.
   Review: CLA or conjugated linoleic acid is a natural occurring fatty acid that has been proven to help with speeding up metabolism and aiding the energy cycle without any stimulants and is therefore safe and has no side effects. Results are gradual and take several weeks to show results which also means less chance of excess skin development since body has the time to adapt.
   More info: Get more info on Magnum Nutraceuticals CLA.
10. Name: NOW Green Tea Extract
    Function: Energy enhancer and supports cardiovascular system.
    Goal: Wanting to lose weight and protect organs against free radicals.
    Main Ingredients: Green tea extract.
    When to Use: Once or twice during morning/early afternoon.
    Review: NOW green tea extract has no other additives and is a pure product which is rich in antioxidants protecting our skin and organs from free radicals which are a cause of the chemicals in our environment and foods.
    More info: Get more info on NOW Green Tea Extract.

Have any questions or feedback about the best workout supplements of 2012? Please leave a comment below…

Best Pre Workout Supplements

Workout supplements really get a bad rap especially by those who have not done their research to find reputable companies that have proof in their results.

Unfortunately more often than not, people don’t understand how effective (and safe) supplements can be, so it’s time for a quick shake-up of your routine.

As you’ve probably heard me emphasize quite extensively, diet and nutrition are key components of any workout or fitness plan. It’s important to give your body the fuel it needs to repair tissue, build muscle, and recover from hard workouts that can really deplete your resources.

The most important stage in workout nutrition is prior to the workout – what’s referred to as the “pre workout” phase. This period of time (20-40 minutes before your workout) is crucial because whatever is in your body at that time is what you will use during your workout. Simply put, you need to prepare your body by giving it the resources it needs for the duration of the workout.

So let’s look at the best pre workout supplements and how they can help you reach your goals faster!

Best Pre Workout Supplements – Top 4

1. MusclePharm Assault Preworkout Matrix

This is one of the best pre workout supplements on the market. It combines some of the most effective ingredients out there to enhance your workout and give your muscles the fuel they need. First, it contains key amino acids that will improve muscle growth, like branched chain amino acids (BCAA’s). It also contains Creatine for improved muscular endurance, a ginseng extract for increased energy and stamina, and more! For more information – Muscle Pharm Assault.

2. USPlabs Jack3d Pre-Workout

Another great combination of supplements, this one has been a market-leader for years. Many people I know swear by it, and I can tell you it really gives you the strength and energy you’re looking for to get out that extra pump at the gym. This special formula contains natural energy-boosting ingredients, caffeine, Creatine for endurance, and beta-alanine for power and strength. For more information – USPLabs Jack3d.

3. BSN N.O.-Xplode 2.0 Pre-Training Energy & Performance Igniter

Another popular choice, this one is specifically designed to give you muscles a huge boost in energy and power. It supports nitric oxide production, a key factor in vascularity and circulation that are needed for muscular endurance. It’s sure to give you the extra pumps you need and the size you’re looking for. For more information – BSN N.O.-Xplode 2.0.

4. Gaspari Nutrition SuperPump Max

Gaspari is one of my favorite brands on the market, simply because their products taste great. This pre-workout combination is designed for those who hit the gym hard. It supports muscular endurance to make your workouts last longer and fights muscle soreness and fatigue. For more information – Gaspari Nutrition SuperPump MAX.

Best Pre Workout Supplements – Conclusion

Remember, supplements can be taken safely and effectively – just don’t overdo it and make sure you cycle off supplements according to their directions. Many people make the mistake of combining too many supplements, which can be hard on the body over time. Take it easy, and be smart!

But wait…

Make sure you’re also taking a good time-released protein supplement like MusclePharm Combat Powder. I recommend having a shake every morning and following every workout for optimum results!

Have any questions or feedback about best pre workout supplements? Please leave a comment below…

Energy Bars: Top 5

There’s definitely a lot of different energy bars out there, it seems like there’s a new one every week. But most are filled with corn syrups, sugars and other ingredients you definitely want to stay away from.

My own opinion on energy bars is that if you find the right ones they can be a great way of getting some extra fuel when you’re tight on time or on the go.

The main things you want to watch out for are the sugar,fat content, and of course having an eye on the calories as well depending on your own needs and goals. For the most part, you should however be taking an energy bar because you are going to do some intense workout and need the energy to keep you going.

That being said, there are a lot of different options available, so it’s a good idea to understand what each has to offer. This article reviews the top 5 energy bars on the market.

Top 5 Energy Bars

1. Honey Stinger Energy Bar

This is one of the best-tasting energy bars available. It’s a great option as a meal replacement, snack, or post-workout recovery bar. These are gluten free, have no trans fats, and contain 23 vitamins and minerals. They’re also packed full of organic honey, which is a great natural energy source. With 20 grams of protein and all-natural flavor, they’re a tasty and healthy option. Click here for more information.

2. Pure Naturals Crunch Bar

If you’re looking for a vegan option, then this energy bar is for you. Gluten free, all-natural, and 5-7 grams of protein makes this a great snack replacement when you’re on the go. Pure Naturals Crunch Bars come in 3 flavors – chocolate almond, peanut raisin crunch, and superfruit nutty crunch, and are packed full of healthy fruits and nuts. Click here for more information.

3. Vega Whole Food Energy Bar

Vega makes the leading vegan protein supplements on the market, and these energy bars are no exception. 100% vegan and a source of raw, vegetable-based proteins make it one of the healthiest, whole food options on the market. They’re great as a pre-workout energy supplement or as a meal replacement. Click here for more information.

4. Balance Bar

These bars are made with balance in mind, and are designed to be an effective source of energy and meal replacement. They’re also designed to support a diet high in protein and relatively low in carbohydrates. As a valuable source of vitamins and minerals, Balance Bars come in 5 delicious flavors – almond brownie, cookie dough, honey peanut, peanut butter, and yogurt honey peanut. Click here for more information.

5. Everlast Energy Bar

Rounding out the list is one of the best meal replacement options when it comes to nutritional content. With 14 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, and 100% of the daily recommended value of vitamins C and E, they’re a balanced approach to energy bars. They also contain 200% of the daily value of vitamin B-12 and a shot of Yerba Mate for an extra boost of energy. Check out 3 delicious flavors – dark chocolate nut, oatmeal raisin walnut, and peanut butter chocolate crunch. Click here for more information.

If you’re looking for a review of the best-selling protein bars, check out my previous article on the Top 5 Protein Bars here.

Have any questions or feedback about the top 5 energy bars? Please leave a comment below…

Best Protein Bars

There are a lot of protein and energy bars which claim to be “healthy” but unfortunately with some great marketing the ingredients and calories are disguised very cleverly and they lead to unneccessary weight gain rather than helping you fight the cravings.

Some of the most deceiving include cliff bars which are full of syrups and processed flours which are “organic” and therefore supposed to be better.

But before you pass on protein bars altogether, you should consider this list first! I’m about to review the top 5 protein bars currently on the market which aren’t extra high on the calorie list or if they are they are also full of protein so they will really help you feel full longer.

A high-protein diet is important for a number of reasons (read my article on Whey Protein Benefits), and protein bars can help you make sure you have adequate protein in your diet to help feed your muscles, keep your fat-burning metabolism at a high level! Let’s look at some of the other benefits quickly…

Protein takes longer to digest than carbs, which means it helps prevent sudden drops in blood glucose levels that lead to cravings and binges. When you digest protein, you also burn more calories during the actual digestion!

Protein is also critical for lean muscle growth and maintenance. Proteins contain essential amino acids that are the building blocks for your muscles. It’s estimated that you need about 1 gram of protein for every pound of body weight to sustain lean muscle growth and those who want to pack on serious muscle go up to 2 grams per poud of body weight.

So you can see why protein bars can be so handy! In fact, they’re one of the best protein options while on the go. There aren’t too many snacks out there that can give you 15-30 grams of protein or more without being full of fat!

So here they are, the Best Protein Bars in the market right now. These ones are guaranteed to taste great and keep you feeling satisfied!

1. Oh Yeah! Bars by ISS Research
These bars are packed full of protein and taste great! Relatively low on the carbs as well which makes them one of the leading protein bars on the market, Oh Yah! Bars come in a variety of flavors, including almond fudge brownie, chocolate caramel, and peanut butter. These ones give you a good 15 grams of protein per bar, with only 7 grams of fat! For more info: ISS Research Oh Yeah! Bars.

2. Quest Bars by Quest
These protein bars are currently getting the best reviews for their quality and taste! And they have a number of benefits: 20 grams of protein per bar, only 5 grams of fat, gluten free, no trans fat, and no sugar added! Seriously, these might just be the healthiest bars around. They also come in some great flavors, like apple pie, chocolate brownie, and mixed berry bliss. For more info: Quest Bars.

3. Supreme Protein Carb Conscious Bars
These ones are also highly reviewed and are great if you’re looking for low-carb protein bar options. The awesome part about these bars is that they pack in a total of 30 grams of protein in one bar!
For more info: Supreme Protein Carb Conscious Bars.

4. Myoplex Lite Bars by EAS
Looking for a low-fat protein bar option? This one might be for you. This protein bar contains a healthy 15 grams of protein and only 4.5 grams of fat! That’s amazingly low fat content for a protein bar!
For more info: Myoplex LIte Bars.

5. Organic Food Bar Protein Bars
If you like to stick with organic or go vegan, then this is the perfect protein bar for you. These organic and vegan bars contain an amazing 22 grams of protein from organic sources, including almond and brown rice protein. They’ve received great reviews and are probably the best whole foods option for protein bars!
For more info: Organic Food Bar – Protein.

Have any questions or feedback about the best protein bars? Please leave a comment below…

Green Tea Weight Loss

During this time of year we’re all trying to lose some extra weight we’ve put on, so looking for healthy ways to help us fight the good fight can never go unappreciated right?

You’ve probably heard of the claims about green tea and weight loss. But is green tea a good option for you?

Let’s find out…

Green tea may be one of the most talked about natural weight loss remedies out there. And the truth is, there is some decent evidence out there to support these claims!

Some Facts about Green Tea and Weight Loss

1. Green tea increases your metabolism.
The benefit here, of course, is that you’ll burn more calories. And when you’re trying to shed the weight, you need to get into a calorie deficit. This means that you need to burn more calories than you consume.

This may sound challenging, but this is where green tea can really help! It’s an all-natural method for increasing your calorie deficit and losing more weight!

2. Green tea increases your body’s ability to burn fat.
This means that your body will oxidize or use up more fat during exercise and physical activity. Combines with more calories burned overall, you can see why green tea is such a great option for weight loss!

In addition to this, research has shown that those who drink green tea or take the extract also are consciously reminded to eat more healthy and thus the benefits are compounded in a very positive way.

3. Green tea provides tons of antioxidants.
If you’re concerned about your overall health, then green tea is a great option for getting a more balanced nutrition plan. Not only will you see improvements in your weight, but it will also help with many other aspects of your health.

For example, there is lots of research which shows that green tea can help lower your cholesterol, improve your body’s immune system, and also help your cells eliminate toxins found in our foods and the air we breathe. These are all benefits we receive because green is so high in antioxidants.

4. Green tea acts as a natural appetite suppressant.
This can be extremely helpful when you’re trying to lose weight, and might just give you the extra kick you need. The main reason for its appetite-suppressing properties is the caffeine it contains.

5. Green tea can give you a natural energy boost.
Because it’s a natural source of caffeine, it’s a great option for giving you a morning or pre-workout energy boost. The difference between the way the caffeine absorbed with green tea vs coffee is that the the caffeine is absorbed much more slowly so you don’t experience the crash with green tea like you do after drinking a coffee.

How much green tea should you drink?
Many of these benefits can be gained from drinking a few cups of green tea every day, but that might sound like a lot to you. Luckily, there are a few great green tea extract supplements you can buy that contain all the green tea you need! In fact, a lot of the scientific studies on the benefits of green tea have used green tea extract.

And of course, the benefit of these supplements over other weight loss supplements is that they’re natural. So if you’re looking for a natural option, green tea is it!

Here are two that I highly recommend:

• Irwin Naturals Green Tea Fat Metabolizer
• NOW Green Tea Extract

Green Tea Weight Loss Conclusion

Whatever your weight loss goals, green tea and green tea extract are great options for boosting your metabolism, burning more fat, and shedding some extra pounds. And remember, I always recommend regular exercise in any weight loss program, so make sure you’re staying active!

Have any questions or feedback about green tea weight loss? Please leave a comment below…

Instant Energy Boosters

Energy may be one of the biggest things standing in your way to fitness and weight loss.

And let’s face it, energy is a key component of motivation.

Without enough energy, you’re not going to feel very motivated – you may even find it difficult to get to the gym!

But there are things you can do to get an instant boost to your energy level. Not only will these tips and tricks help you get up off the couch, they’ll also help you get more out or your workouts. And longer, more intense workouts mean more results!

So here are my top 10 instant energy boosters to help you get ripped!

Top 10 Instant Energy Boosters

1. Get Outside – This may be the simplest solution, but it works. Make sure you get out in the sunlight as early as possible after waking up. About 20 minutes of sunlight can really energize your day.

2. Take a Cold Shower – Cold water can really do the trick. And it doesn’t need to be the entire time in the shower. Even ending with a couple minutes of cold water can do the trick, and guess what? It’s also good for reducing inflammation in your muscles and joints.

3. Drink Water – Dehydration actually causes fatigue. So make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day and especially before workouts.

4. Eat Protein – Eating protein helps keep your blood sugar levels more stable, and will prevent sudden drops in energy level. Make sure you have a protein shake before your workouts for optimal energy. Check out Optimum 100% Natural Whey, one of the best in the market since it’s devoid of all the artificial sugars and preservatives found in other other proteins. I highly recommend you experiment with a protein smoothie as your snacks in between meals as well, you will be amazed at how this will affect your energy levels.

5. Have a Cup of Coffee – There’s nothing wrong with a little caffeine. The only thing you need to be careful of is what you’re putting in your coffee. So keep it healthy, and this is a great energy-boosting option. Just make sure you are not having one every day or your body will become completely dependent on it and it will lose all its benefits.

6. Drink Green Tea – Green tea’s another great option for getting some caffeine, and generally healthier since it is full of antioxidants which keep you young. For even more of an energy boosting kick, try a green tea supplement like Irwin Naturals Green Tea Fat Metabolizer. It will have you burning more calories and shedding the pounds!

7. Breathe Deeply – Yup, believe it or not, just taking a moment to do some deep breathing can help energize your mind and body. Oxygen is an important factor in your energy level so make sure you also pay attention to your breathing when you are exercising. This can be an advanced technique which Olympic athletes really hone in on.

8. Get a Good Night’s Sleep – Sleep is one of the most important predictors of your energy level. This may not be quite as “instant,” but one good sleep can energize your entire day! If you’re having trouble sleeping, check out Top Secret Nutrition Sleep.

9. Try a Pre-Workout Supplement – USPLabs Jack3d is the leading pre-workout energy boosting motivating supplement in the market. It will give you the biggest instant energy shot you can find and keep you fueled for your entire workout. In other words, there is no way you will be tired or lacking motivation after this.

10. Work Out – That’s right, working out alone can instantly boost your energy. If you’re having a hard time moving, drag yourself to the gym or get outside for a run. One of the biggest rewards of exercise is its energy-boosting capabilities. So make sure you’re hitting the gym on a regular basis!

Have any questions or feedback about instant energy boosters? Please leave a comment below…

Soy Protein and Weight Loss: Does it Actually Work?

Soy protein shakes and snacks have become popular health food options.

Besides offering a handy milk alternative for those who have to avoid dairy, many soy products also claim to help you lose weight. And in today’s busy world, who isn’t looking for easy ways to lose weight?

But what’s the real story on soy protein and weight loss? Does it actually work?

Let’s find out…

Soy Protein and Weight Loss

Soy protein is protein isolated from soybean (or soya bean), a type of legume native to East Asia. Soy protein is made from defatted soymeal, meaning that fatty acids are removed during processing.

Claims have been around for quite some time about the health benefits of soy protein. In the late 90’s, the FDA stated that consuming 25 grams of soy protein a day could help lower cholesterol and maintain a healthy heart.

Although there’s some controversy surrounding these claims, soy is naturally low in calories and low in fat.

The benefits of soy protein don’t stop there. More recent studies have shown that soy protein has important weight loss properties independent of its low-calorie content. Scientists at Iowa State University have found that soy protein is high in isoflavines, organic compounds which help to reduce the deposit of fat and support lean protein growth.

In addition to less fat storage, soy protein helps stabilize your insulin levels because it’s a low-glycemic food. This means fewer sugar cravings and junk food binges. It also increases your metabolism during digestion, meaning you’ll burn more calories by consuming this protein source. These effects are similar to consuming other lean proteins, like fish and chicken.

Because soy contains estrogen-promoting compounds, it has been suggested that men should avoid a soy-rich diet. Most recent studies have not supported these claims, finding that testosterone levels remain stable in men who increase their soy intake. It is definitely a controversial topic though and I have read that more extensive studies are currently being conducted to see how it effects estrogen levels for both men and women.

My point of view is that if you haven’t tried whey protein products yet or have tried them and had intestinal discomfort it might be worth giving another brand a try as it is usually the artificial sugars that are the culprit and not the whey. However, if you are a vegan and want to live a strict vegetarian diet then the newest studies on soy seem pretty promising, but if you have found any to refute this please leave a link in the comments below.

That aside, what’s the best way to get more soy protein for weight loss? Here are some suggestions:

Include soy products in your diet. Eating more tofu and drinking more soy milk can be great ways to increase your soy protein consumption and support your weight loss goals. Be cautious of some vegetarian foods which contain soy, as some can be high in fat.

Invest in a good soy protein isolate. Soy protein isolate powder can be a great way to get more soy protein in your diet. Mix it into your favourite shake or have it with some juice, just like any other protein shake. You’ll support weight loss and lean muscle growth. Plus, it tastes great! Try the tasty Optimum Soy Protein for a total vegetarian soy option. For a more complete protein supplement that includes both soy and whey protein, try MHP Probolic-SR Muscle Feeder.

Snack on soy protein bars. Another great way to include more soy protein in your diet is to try out some soy protein bars. These are great weight loss alternatives for a busy lifestyle. Try the tasty Promax Protein Bars, or for those on a diet, go for the Myoplex LIte Bars. Both contain protein isolate combinations of soy and whey, providing more complete protein snacking options.

Remember, if you’re trying to lose weight, you need to make sure your diet is healthy all around. Combined with exercise and smart food choices, soy protein can be a great addition to your weight loss efforts.

Have any questions or feedback about Soy Protein and Weight Loss? Please leave a comment below…

Branched Chain Amino Acids & Weight Loss

It’s time to increase you knowledge of Branch Chained Amino Acids not only because of their impact with your weight loss goals but also because of all the benefits they can provide to those of you who are giving it your all with your training efforts.

Branch Chained Amino Acids are also known as BCAA’s and stimulate the body’s own recovery process by providing the essential amino acids that our bodies need to produce muscle and build immunity.

You see, proteins break down into smaller particles known as amino acids that are utilized in the body to produce new proteins (muscle) or to be stored and burned as energy. Thus, amino acids are the building blocks of muscle tissue.

The reason that BCCA’s are beneficial is because they are absorbed straight into the blood stream for more effective use by the muscles, rather than passing through the liver first. The more glycogen we have in our bodies, the less our bodies need to take away from our muscles. This therefore decreases recovery time after tough workouts or even illnesses.

There are five main ways that you and your weight loss and training plan can benefit from taking BCCA’s:

Branched Chain Amino Acids & Weight Loss: Build Immunity
When you’re sick of course it makes it much harder to train or to keep up the intensity that you are used too. In these circumstances, when you fail to meet pushing yourself in your workouts it can severely limit muscle growth.

Taking BCAA’s will allow you to avoid tissue breakdown and also allow your system to fight infections more efficiently. It’s also important to note that when you are training hard you are putting stress on your body and your immune system is comprised by it so BCAA’s can help immensely in backing up your ability to recover.

Branched Chain Amino Acids & Weight Loss: Increase Lean Muscle Mass
As mentioned before BCAA’s helps speed up recovery after intense training and recent research indicates that most of us are active are deficient in these amino acids because it is quite hard to get the right amounts in our diet (mostly found in meat).

Thus most athletes today make sure to supplement with BCAA’s to make sure they optimize their lean muscle mass and therefore continue to progress in their training plan.

Branched Chain Amino Acids & Weight Loss: Increase Stamina
BCAA’s have been proven to reduce fatigue in both anaerobic (weight training) exercise and endurance exercises. This is in part due to BCAA’s role in supporting nitrogen breakdown in the body which in turn enables glucose to be utilized in the body more efficiently for energy.

In essence, supplementation with BCAA’s ensure your body has sustainable amounts of amino acids so that your muscle does not have to be broken down, taking away from all your hard earned work.

Branched Chain Amino Acids & Weight Loss: Burn Fat More Efficiently
There is definitely some interesting research which points to BCAA’s helping people lose weight because unlike other supplements it helps break down the visceral body fat (which are deep layers that often do not respond readily to dieting and exercise).

Through the reasons listed above BCAA’s are thought to reduce abdominal fat in a case of 30 individuals after a 4 week double blind study where participants were given either a placebo or BCAA’s. Pretty fascinating if you ask me!

Branched Chain Amino Acids & Weight Loss: The Right Amount?

The recommended amount of BCAA’s in our diet really depends on your activity level. In general for those of us who are training more than 3 days a week it is recommended that we obtain about 9 grams per 100 pounds of lean bodyweight per day. Most diets which are rich in meats and legumes only provide about 2-3 grams of BCAA’s.

There has not been any evidence to show that taking more will have any more benefit or even have side effects as they are simply excreted in our urine.

Supplementing with Branched Chain Amino Acids

Without a doubt my highest recommendation of BCAA’s is by adding one scoop of Muscle Pharm Recon into your post workout protein smoothie. Recon is the best because it also contains Vitamin B6, C, E and electrolytes to maximize absorption. With an average user review of 9.1 out of 10 it is definitely the choice of those who are serious about their training.

One of my other favorites is the watermelon flavour of Scivation Xtend which has a great taste and is very easily mixable (sometimes I have it just blended with ice and water!).

Have any questions about BCAA’s? Please leave a comment below…

Cytosport Cyto Gainer

Cytosport Cyto Gainer can facilitate your protein intake, because being ripped requires a very high amount of consistent protein intake so your muscles can grow and get that sexy tone.

The problem is that most of the time when you buy whey powder protein, it is chalk full of fats and sugars. These are unnecessary when you are trying to achieve lean muscle mass.

Cytosport has none of these excess fats and sugar, only good carbs and ample protein that are essential for athletes, bodybuilders, individuals trying to gain strength, and anyone looking to improve muscle tone and quality. It uses whey protein which is the fastest digesting protein on the market as well as maltodextrins which are complex carbohydrates which provide a constant feed of energy to your muscles.

Let’s look at some more benefits of Cyto Gainer.

Cytosport Cyto Gainer: Benefits

Anyone who knows about digestion would know that the faster it digests the quicker your muscles can attain it. The reason it is important to take whey protein directly after working out is because the body automatically sends out stress hormones (cortisol) which breaks down muscle.

When you have just worked out hard you don’t want all that work to go to waste, so taking something like Cytosport is an excellent easy option for maintaining desired results.

In addition it also allows muscles to build and recover faster, meaning more time to work out and less down time in achieving your goals.

Cytosport Cyto Gainer: Nutrient Content

This product has a vast amount of nutrients these are only some of them.

• Amino Acids : BCAA’s including Leucine, isoleucine and valine (builds muscle that is lean)
• Maltodextrins for a constant stream of energy for your muscles
• Thiamine, Niacin, Biotin for improved cardiovascular function
• Creatine for maximum energy
• Iron, Calcium, Zinc, Magnesium, Chromium, Copper, Iodine and Phosphorus.
• Vitamins B6, C, D, E

Additional Benefits:

• Whey Protein maintains muscle while shedding fat.
• Protein utilizes lots more energy to digest than carbs and fats.
• Allows the glucose in the body to be slowly absorbed.
• Easy to use and throw in smoothies for breakfast and snacks.
• Allow you to feel fuller longer which stops overeating.
• Reduce diseases: heart disease, cancer risk, and certain chronic diseases.

Cytosport Cyto Gainer: Conclusion

If you really need any more reasons to take Cyto Gainer, here is one: it comes in some delicious flavours including Banana Crème, Chocolate Malt, Chocolate Mint, and Strawberries n’ Crème. It has a very smooth and creamy texture and is excellent for those of you who are focused on increasing muscle mass and overall muscle size. Click here for a special savings on CytoSports Cyto Gainer.

Post Workout Recovery Supplements

Arguably the most important time to take supplements is post-workout when your uptake is at its highest rate and this is the time when your muscles gobble up amino acids, vitamins and other elements to help it recover and grow definition.

This is the third and final segment in my best workout supplements series and it will definitely pack a punch in giving you the results you desire the most.

Speaking of results, with post-recovery our goal should be to replenish all the stores of energy in our muscles and make sure we have given them enough nutrients so we don’t go too far into a catabolic state (catabolic is the time when our muscle is broken down and used for energy).

Post Workout Recovery Supplements

BCAA’s: If you were to take only one supplement post-workout then I would highly recommend BCAA’s (Branch Chained Amino Acids) as they are completely natural and are proven to speed recovery and prevent fatigue. If you think you have enough protein in your diet, BCAA’s are absorbed quite differently and much more rapidly so definitely take this in addition to your protein smoothies. Without a doubt the best in the market is Scivation Xtend and I have to say the watermelon flavour is extremely tasty, sometimes I just blend it up with lots of ice as it’s a yummy zero calorie drink. Another great alternative which is getting a lot of buzz is Muscle Pharm Recon.

Casein Protein: If you haven’t heard about casein protein, it’s very similar to whey protein but much slower to absorb and therefore can continue to feed your muscles several hours after ingestion just as much as the amount of time your muscles will need during the recovery stage post workout. Of course, casein protein is also great before bed during the time which your muscles are recovering the most and your body is in a fasting stage during sleep. One of the highest rated and most popular casein’s is Optimum 100% Casein Protein and Combat Powder.

GABA: Once again recovery during sleep is one of the most important times for your overall muscle tone to improve and GABA is an ingredient which helps calm your nevers and promote deep REM sleep. So far the only supplement that I’ve come across which lives up to its claims is Muscle Pharm Bullet Proof.

Zinc/Magnesium: You may have already come across Zinc and Magnesium supplements as they are proven to help with relaxation and recovery and again one which can also help with sleep. I like this particularly because getting enough magnesium in our diets is a hard one (mostly found in nuts and seeds) but the benefits are quite immense from relaxation to helping with digestive processes to even reducing migraines. One of the most affordable and highly rated is NOW ZMA.

Best Workout Supplements:Pre-Workout

Now that we have your best workout supplements outlined that you should be including as a long term plan let’s take a look at the best workout supplements to have pre-workout.

Your pre-workout supplements will be focused on giving your muscles maximal energy and power so you can whip through your workout and know that you have trained at your hardest.

The most important part of pre-workout supplements is that you need to ensure that you have had a good nights rest the night before otherwise their effect will be limited. If you’ve had issues with your sleep then make sure to read the first part of best workout supplements as I’ve gone over the best sleep aids and how to benefit from them the most.

Best Workout Supplements: Pre-Workout

Thermogenic Fat burner: If you’re not sure what thermogenic really means, it is really all about increasing your metabolic rate so you burn fat for energy. Most of these include stimulants such as caffeine so it a good idea to not drink any coffee on days when you are taking one of these supplements. Without a doubt the latest a greatest highly reviewed thermogenic fat burner is USPlabs OxyELITE Pro. It’s sole purpose is to burn fat, increase energy and it is also great at helping you regulate your appetite. Close behind is another new contended and used by a large number of fitness competitors – Muscle Pharm Shred Matrix.

Best time to take these is about an hour before your workout since they do contain some caffeine which means that your motivation to get to the gym will also be pretty damn good. I’d recommend having it with a some fruit like a banana, apple or another healthy carb source like yam or a health bar such as Supreme Protein Carb Conscious Bars.

Energy Matrix Booster: Probably the biggest revelation in pre-workout supplements are energy matrix boosters and I’m not talking about full of sugar and other harsh chemical drinks like Red Bull and Monster. The three most reviewed and revered in the training industry are SuperPump 250, USPLabs Jack3d and the latest which is getting huge recognition – USPLabs Jack3d. These guys are powerhouses in giving you a huge motivation boost to get into the gym and primary ingredients are focused around Creatine, Nitric Oxide and Vitamin B’s all which are proven to help with focus, energy and power when training. It doesn’t matter whether you are male or female, these drinks will give you a GOOD workout.

Best time to take is about 30 minutes before your workout and are especially good with lots of ice.

L-Arginine: Arginine is a very powerful and popular amino acid because it helps us retain nitrogen which is an essential component in muscle tissue development. Consequently it also limits the storage of fat in our bodies and gives us an incredible muscle tone (especially important for those of you who feel like you can’t get your muscles to show). I came across a pure and extremely affordable arginine supplement – NOW L-Arginine that has blown my socks off (by the way I recommend the 1000mg version).

Best time to take it is about an hour before your workout with fruit or the above mentioned Supreme Protein Carb Conscious Bars

Testosterone Booster: This one is for the guys who want to increase serious muscle mass (of course those of you ladies who also want to do the same this can be used as well). The main ingredient that is the most respected and reviewed is tribulus but most of these supplements in the past have been quite ineffective because of the bodies ability to adapt so quickly. But now there is a new kid in town and it has generated a ton of buzz with many bodybuilders stating it to be the best in the industry – Muscle Pharm Battle Fuel. It’s sole focus is to help you increase strength and lean muscle mass.

Best time to take it is about a half an hour before working out with lots of water.

Best Workout Supplements:Pre-Workout Conclusion

Here you have it, there is no way you can lack motivation with the above mentioned supplements. They are refined and extremely effective in providing results with getting you to work out with the greatest intensity possible.

View the next edition of this article series which talks about post-workout recovery supplements so you can get your muscles to recover after training so hard, you’re going to need it!

Have any questions or feedback about these post-workout supplements? Please leave a comment below…

Best Workout Supplements

Many people are getting a lot of great results from including a smart supplement plan in their daily nutrition plan. However many don’t know how and when to take the supplements in order to get the best results with fat loss and building sexy toned muscle.

In this article we’re going to look at the best workout supplements in the industry and take it one step further so you aren’t flushing money down the drain, especially if you’ve tried some supplementation in the past and not gotten the best results.

I’m going to divide this article into three segments. The first segment will talk about the daily supplements you want to make you include, the second segment will go over pre-workout supplements and the third segment will go over post-workout supplements.

Best Workout Supplements: The Dailies

Although it’s pretty clear that some supplements are best taken before and after working out, there are some that you will want to take daily since their benefits are only seen long-term.

Multi-Vitamin: The most obvious of these daily supplements are multi-vitamins that are specific for active individuals as well as for gender. Even though there has been some documentation that we can get all our vitamins from a healthy food, when we put our bodies under the strain of exercise we require more vitamins so I believe it’s always best to make sure we get the essentials. One of the most reputable brands is Optimum Nutrition and these are highly reviewed with great results – Optimum Opti-Women and Optimum Opti-Men. Two other highly rated multi’s are Universal Animal Pak and Controlled Labs Orange Triad.

The best time to take a multi is in the morning since you have basically been in an 8 hour fast during sleep so getting these replenished first thing is definitely in your interest!

Omega 3 Fatty Acids: The benefits of Omega 3′s range from helping with memory and brain function, all the way to helping lubricate joints and giving your body the essential fatty acids that it needs to operate at it’s best.  There is no doubt that Omega 3′s should be part of your daily regimen.  Make sure to select a high quality Omega 3 which is filtered and free of heavy metals such as mercury, the best rated I’ve ever seen is NOW Ultra Omega-3 but AllMax Nutrition Omega 3 is also a serious contender for best in the industry and a little less expensive.

Since you need to take Omega’s about 3-4 times a day it is best to have with a meal to get the best absorption and no after-taste.

High Quality Whey Protein: Whey protein smoothies are an absolute must for men and women who are looking to cut the uncontrollable cravings and build lean sexy muscle.  If you think all whey proteins are the same then you are seriously mistaken as the quality of whey protein you get in a discount store like Costco will never compare to the best in the industry.  Although one of my favorites has been a whey protein that is make of all natural ingredients – Optimum 100% Natural Whey there is a new player in town that blows away the results of any whey protein I have ever come across in the past 19 years that I have been training.  The new player in town is Platinum Hydrobuilder and is one of the most comprehensive proteins in the market as it includes essential amino acids for recovery and rebuilding muscle, creatine to support lean muscle mass, and a compound by the name of betaine which helps improve energy and power.  Take my word on this, this stuff rocks!

For those of you who want an organic and vegan source of protein try either Vega Complete Whole Food Health Optimizer or Nutiva Organic Hemp Protein.

Best time to take whey protein is really anytime you want a hearty snack to refuel and provide nourishment.  I like a small amount in the morning with breakfast, and then in between my meals so I don’t give in to junk foods.

Antioxidants: You’ve probably heard a lot about antioxidants as they have been blasted all over the health shows since they can help prevent damage done by environmental pollutants, toxins found in our foods and even the damaging rays of the sun which make us look all weathered.  Although there are some good Acai products which claim to be the most potent of antioxidants I’ve found that a natural green tea extract like NOW Green Tea Extract is a much more reliable and affordable supplement to take on a daily basis, plus it has been proven to be great at helping people lose fat weight. Similarly a quality Vitamin C supplement especially during times when your immune system may be compromised from training very intensely

Best time to take it is with your snacks a couple times a day as it will also help keep your energy levels up.

Immune Support: When we are stressed out, working long hours and still trying to train intensely our immune system can be seriously compromised and this is the time when we get sick quite easily. Acting as an anti-oxidant and an immune booster is good old vitamin C and a power supplement like NOW C-1000 is a great to have at hand. In addition to this we’ll talk about some other natural and powerful immune and recovery supplements in the post-workout segment of this article series.

Best time to take Vitamin C is again in the mornings, but you can also take it with any meal. I don’t recommend it on an empty stomach since it is acidic in nature and can cause some intestinal discomfort/heartburn.

Sleep Support: When it comes to workout supplements, they almost all become ineffective if you don’t have a deep rich sleep.  With all the daily stress factors it’s a huge issue for many of us and having a sleep support supplement like Shut-Eye or Muscle Pharm Bullet Proof in your arsenal is a very smart strategy.  Sleep is the time when our muscles recover and repair, in additon to this our will power and stamina is at it’s best after a good sleep so don’t underestimate the value of getting a good 8 hours a night.

Best Workout Supplements: Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this edition of the best workout supplements that you should be taking on a daily basis if you are serious at losing fat weight and keeping the muscle toned and in tip top shape.  The more serious the intensity of your workouts the more important supplementing your diet becomes and only with intensity do we see serious changes in our body that we are happy with.

In the next edition of best workout supplements which will focus on the pre-workout angle you will be able to take boost your intensity and really see results quickly, read it here – Best Workout Supplements: Pre-Workout.  It took me over a decade to break these secrets and they only became very apparent to me after taking an advanced sports nutrition certification course and then applying the concepts to my training and for those of my clients.

If  you have any questions about these essentials please leave a comment below…

Muscle Recovery Supplements – Glutamine

Glutamine is one of the amino acids (a building block of protein) stored in our muscles and greatly abundant in your small intestine that are used mostly for muscle building.

In addition to muscle building and preserving the breakdown (catabolism) of muscles it also can aid in many other areas of the body to achieve optimum health.

Glutamine is actually produced by our body (semi-essential amino acid) but can be hindered greatly by metabolic stress; such as over training, trauma, burns, and various illnesses such as cancer and aids.

Some of its added advantages are that it stimulates the immune system to work better, reducing injury and sickness. It also assists in normal brain function and regulates mood.

One of the coolest facts about Glutamine that may be special interested to you is that it is very beneficial when it comes to reducing appetite and cravings, particularly for sugar and alcohol which are number one weight offenders.

In addition, it protects the liver function which is the toxic eliminator in the body, from drugs (Tylenol and Aspirin) or radiation such as chemotherapy. Yet another aspect is that it helps maintain a healthy digestive system and works well with people who have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome which is a stress-related disorder) Colitis and other intestinal problems. This is the core of our body and when food is moving efficiently we have less bloating and our muscles are more visible due to the reduced fat surrounding them. Glutamine fights fatigue – allowing you to work out longer and more frequently, and consequently also decreases your risk of depression and impotence.

Research presents that 60 % of this important amino acid is significantly diminished after working out or excessive training,  this goes to show how important it is to replenish your Glutamine supply after working out. Since it is used in almost all metabolic processes taking a supplement is the best way to maximize your workouts, by preventing your body from taking it from muscle.

Because of all these reasons Glutamine is a muscle recovery supplement that most serious athletes have as part of their training and nutrition regimen.  Like any amino acid it is something that takes most effect in long term perspective so don’t expect to be muscle pain free over night, and rather keep it consistent and you will see some pretty impressive results.

When taking this supplement there are some vital tips to follow;

1. If possible take this supplement with Niacin and B3 for the best possible results.
2. It should be taken on an empty stomach as it is shown to help with growth hormones release which aids in weight loss and muscle gain.
3. Safe amounts are from 2- 25 grams maximum.
4. Do NOT take this supplement if you have cirrhosis of the liver, any kidney conditions, any disease that affects the build up of ammonia in the blood, or if you are pregnant or nursing.
5. Always follow the directions on the container for best efficacy, other than that there are no know side- effects of taking this supplement.
6. Buying Glutamine powders are more economical but make you may find that in capsules they are a little more convenient.

The top 3 selling and highest rated Glutamine products on the market are:

1. Scivation Xtend
2. Muscle Pharm Recon
3. Optimum Glutamine

Personally my favorite because of the taste is Scivation Xtend but they are all great products and work equally as well.  Just remember to follow thee directions and keep it as part of your long term training plan.

Sleeping Supplement: Bullet Proof

When it comes to weight loss and training one of the most important components for your success is not only having a good amount of sleep, but having a deep restful sleep.

A few weeks back I came across the sleeping supplement by Muscle Pharm called Bullet Proof but I was very skeptical that it would be any good at all as I’ve tried quite a few different natural sleeping aids and none of them have worked very well, or if they have they have made me extremely groggy the next day.

If you’re like me and have a thousand things going through your head at night and either have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep then keep reading…

Sleeping Supplement: Bullet Proof – 3 Day Test

So like I mentioned I’ve tried to stay from certain natural sleep aids like melatonin or similar herbs simply because they became ineffective or I would become too dependent on them. Sound familiar?

Well I heard lots of great things about Muscle Pharm’s Bullet Proof, it has been making waves in the fitness industry and have been given a rating of 9.1 out of 10 on Bodybuilding within 200 reviews.  So I decided to give it a try and within 3 days I was surprised of the results!

On my first night taking I didn’t really notice any difference at all, and I was already nervous that it wasn’t going to live up to its hype.

On the second night I noticed I had a bit of hard time falling asleep but once I was asleep I slept almost straight through.

On the third night, I fell asleep almost instantly and slept right until my alarm went off.  Holey crap, would it continue to work on the following nights?

You bet it does, Muscle Pharm Bullet Proof was in fact an awesome formula because it continues to work for me 3 weeks later and nothing is as good for giving you a wicked workout than having a really good night sleep the night before.

So what is in this magic formula anyway?

Sleeping Supplement: Bullet Proof – The Formula

If you take a close look at the ingredients you’ll notice Bullet Proof has one of the best natural sleep complex’s by the name of ZMA (aka  Zinc Monomethionine Aspartate with Magnesium and Vitamin B6).  This mineral/vitamin complex has been used for many years by athletes because it helps increase anabolic hormones and muscle strength.  The ZMA also helps with muscle growth, endurance and restful sleep.

Another powerful component is a supplements which helps regulate our neurotransmitters which are related to excitability, this components is called GABA or Gamma Amino Butyric Acid.  If you look at the wiki on GABA you’ll see that is is also directly responsible for the regulation of muscle tone!

Pretty awesome so far, but Muscle Pharm Bullet Proof takes it further and includes muscle recovery amino acids such as Gltuamine, Beta-Alanine and BCAA’s.

All I can say is BRILLIANT!  No wonder this stuff works as well as it does.

Sleeping Supplement: Bullet Proof – The Cons

What if any are the cons of Bullet Proof?  Well the first and most important is that if you take this on a full stomach then it’s effectiveness becomes much more limited.

Also if you don’t leave an adequate amount of time for your sleep then you may find that it is actually a little hard to wake up.

Other than that, I wish they would take out the artificial color and even reduce the amount of sucralose to make it a little more tasty.  One trick I did find though is that if you mix it with lots of ice then it pretty much tastes like a freezy!

Sleeping Supplement: Bullet Proof – Conclusion

I think this is one of those supplements you have to try for yourself to see the benefits. The ingredients will help you have a deep restful sleep but will also help you increase your muscle to fat ratio and have more muscle tone as well.  I would recommend to anyone training intensely, it has all the right components to make all your hard work in the gym worth it.  At under a $1 per serving ($35 for 40 servings) it is definitely worth the investment.  Here is the link – Muscle Pharm Bullet Proof.

I’d love to hear your feedback on this supplement, so if you give it a go please leave a comment below…

Muscle Building Protein: The Perfect Choice For You

We all know by now that protein is incredibly important for helping us with muscle growth and at the same time curbing our appetites and allowing our metabolism to burn through fat, but what is the best muscle building protein for you?

The value of the protein really comes into play by the amino acids they provide and what their ability is to be digested and absorbed by our system to lay down more muscle.

I’ll help you demystify protein sources so you can make an educated decision to choose one that is right for you.

Whey Protein

You have probably heard me praise whey protein the most and rightfully so. It is one of the easiest to digest and breaks down relatively quickly to provide amino acids straight to your muscles.

This means that when compared to other protein sources you won’t get the extra heavy feeling especially because most whey proteins do not have any added sugars or fats. With that said, some of the artificial sugars are indeed controversial and can lead to intestinal discomfort so if you have had concerns with some in the past make sure to try a different brand or variety of whey protein.

One of the powerful elements of whey protein is that it is high in branch chained amino acid Leucine which plays an important role int the muscle growth stage.

I found some very interesting research out of McMacster University which compared individuals having whey protein vs casein and soy proteins immediately after workouts to see the impact on muscle growth. Surprisingly whey protein was far more effective at boosting muscle synthesis following exercise by as much as 122 percent.

The best times to take whey protein is 60 minutes before your workout (aim for 30 grams), and immediately after your workout (within 30 minutes and you should aim for 30 grams again).

The highest rated whey proteins are:

• Optimum 100% Natural Whey
• Gaspari Nutrition Myofusion

Casein Protein

The main difference between Casein and whey protein is that Casein doesn’t get digested nearly as fast and instead is broken down gradually. This makes it highly popular for having as a pre-bedtime snack so that it doesn’t spike blood sugar levels (which means it most likely won’t be stored as fat).

For those really concentrated on the muscle gaining phase it is also ideal to have Casein protein a couple hours after your intense workout days to keep those amino acids flowing to your muscles.

Casein is loaded with Glutamine which is an amino acid that reduces fatigue, elevates growth hormone levels and provides major immune support.

One word of caution with Casein is that it is quite thick and some may find it hard to drink. In this case make sure to choose a high quality version so it is more palatable.

The highest rated Casein Proteins are:

• Optimum 100% Casein Protein
• Ultimate Muscle Protein

Soy Protein

There has been quite a bit of controversy on soy protein as a vegetarian source of protein. Some studies have linked soy based products with elevating our estrogen levels because they are high in phytoestrogens.

For this reason I generally don’t recommend it to my clients or family, and instead recommend Hemp protein as a safer vegetarian alternative. With that said the decision is in your hands if you are a strong believer in soy and believe the studies which have shown it to be nearly as good as whey protein for muscle growth.

The highest rated Soy Proteins are:

• EAS Myoplex Lite
• Probolic-SR

Hemp Protein

Although you may have questions on Hemp protein, the research really does show Hemp to be a great plant based protein source.

Hemp protein contains hearth healthy Omega 3’s as well as fiber so you will get about 50% of the protein per scoop compared to whey. Some may also find it a bit on the grainy side because of its fiber content and so it is much better when mixed with fruits, berries and ice.

The highest rated Hemp Proteins are:

• Vega Complete Whole Food Health Optimizer
• Nutiva Organic Hemp Protein

Muscle Building Protein: The Perfect Choice For You

At the end of the day it doesn’t matter too much which protein you are choosing as long as you are getting in these amino acids to fuel your muscles and allow your metabolic rate to increase to the point of burning more fat even at rest state. I hope this list will help you select one or two proteins that work best for you and make the effort to use it to your benefit.

Have any questions or feedback about these proteins? Please leave me a comment below…

Thyroid Supplements and Weight Loss

The thyroid gland is a powerful endocrine gland in our neck area which has a major effect with regards to the results of all our training and healthy eating.

For many an underactive thyroid will heavily negate their efforts and seriously compromise their ability to lose weight and gain muscle. Considering 1 in 13 North Americans have thyroid disorders this number is quite alarming especially since many are undiagnosed.

Let’s take a quick look at the function of the thyroid and then discuss supplements which have been designed to support the thyroid gland.

Thyroid Gland Function

The main function of the thyroid gland is to control how our body makes proteins (muscle fibers), uses energy and most dramatically controlling sensitivity level of other hormones within our body.

The ones of interest to us are T3 & T4 which are synthesized by our bodies through the amino acid tyrosine and iodine. The reason these are of such importance to us is because they affect our metabolism as well as the rate & growth of numerous systems within our body.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

First of all, hypothyroidism is defined by the underproduction of T3 & T4 thyroid hormones. The most common symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, fatigue, cold intolerance, loss of hair and cardiovascular difficulties (slow heart rate under 60 beats per minute during rest).

If you notice that all these symptoms are happening even though you are sleeping enough and having a relatively healthy diet then it is a good idea to get checked out by your doctor with a simple blood test. Treatment is very easy with a daily supplement by the name of levothyroxine or also known as synthroid.

What about other supplements in the market?

Thyroid Supplements and Weight Loss

One of the more interesting supplements that I have come across for thyroid support is NOW Thyroid Energy which has both the amino acid tyrosine and the element iodine. Simple enough and quite cheap, get more info on – NOW Thyroid Energy.

Another supplement which takes it to the next level is BSN Thermonex. In addition to tyrosine and iodine it includes green tea extract to really boost thermogenesis of fat and caffeine to boost energy levels and physical performance. Get more info on – BSN Thermonex.

If you’re looking for a non-stimulant while at the same time want optimal thryoid then you may want to look at Driven Sports Lean Xtreme. Lean Xtreme also works at reducing your stress hormone cortisol which can have an interfering effect with your thyroid so it packs quite a punch. Get more info on – Driven Sports Lean Xtreme.

Do you have any questions about thyroid supplements and weight loss? Please leave me a comment below..

Fastest Weight Loss Pills

One of the most common questions I get asked is about which products are the fastest weight loss pills in the market.

For many this is something they want to consider specifically because they have a major event coming up where they want to make sure they have lost as much excess weight as possible.

Whatever the case may be and your stance with weight loss pills, I think it’s always best to look at these kind of “supplements” with all the right background information before making the decision if it is right for you.

Fastest Weight Loss Pills: First Step

Your first step before trying to find the fastest weight loss pills should always be to check to make sure that you have done everything in your power with respect to your diet and training plan before considering diet pills.

If you are having any problems with putting a plan together check out the workouts and training as well as the healthy recipes section of the site as you will find hundreds of different plans which you can easily make work for you.

If you’re lacking motivation make sure to check out the celebrity photos along with their workouts to get you going in the right direction:

• Workout Motivation Photos for Men
• Workout Motivation Photos for Women

Fastest Weight Loss Pills: Second Step

If you decide that you want the extra boost to lose weight with diet pills first make sure that you have a reasonable plan set in place. Make it be 4 weeks or 10lbs or whatever your goal is, and promise to use these pills only until you reach that goal. Also, don’t go off track your healthy eating plan and exercise routine otherwise you WILL NOT see results.

Furthermore, remember to not make this goal unreasonable as healthy weight loss is considered to be 1-2 lbs/week. Any more and you are risking dealing with excess loose skin as well as forcing your organs to work overtime through over-stimulation (as most weight loss pills have stimulating chemicals like caffeine) which can lead to serious health complications down the road.

The bottom line is that you want to keep your head on your shoulders and make educated decisions which don’t impact your long term health plan.

Fastest Weight Loss Pills: Third Step

I’ve talked about it before, and I think you can make it work for you, but the power of reviews on the internet is a great tool to use in your arsenal for finding the feedback on weight loss pills.

When you take a look at reviews watch out for side effects (which I will talk about again in the next section below) that anyone is complaining of. We can only hope that these reviews are honest and have weeded out the worst pills from the following list, but you know your body best and can make an educated decision for yourself.

From my research these are the top 5 fastest weight loss pills in the market which have received the most positive feedback:

1. USPlabs OxyELITE Pro
2. Magnum Nutraceuticals CLA
3. Muscle Pharm Shred Matrix
4. Cellucor T7 Extreme
5. Revolution Thermogenic Push

Fastest Weight Loss Pills: Fourth Step

The fourth and final step is to make sure you are aware of potential side effects with weight loss pills. For the most part since these products use stimulation of your adrenal glands to get you to go into a thermogenic fat burning state the most noticeable side effect is disruption to your sleep. That is why it is important to follow the directions on the bottle which for the most part you’ll notice mention to take in the morning.

Other side effects to be wary of include: lack of appetite, being light headed and sometimes dizziness especially if you are also following a very calorie restricted diet. Remember healthy nutrition, with smaller meals distributed throughout the day is your best bet when wanting to lose weight.

What are your thought about these weight loss pills? Please leave your feedback and comments below…

Top Workout Supplement Questions

If you are working out then supplements can really give you a boost in helping you get results with shedding fat, losing excess weight and most importantly putting on lean muscle mass with much greater strength.

The key thing with supplementation is that you are probably like me and on the run all he time so having the prefect meals and snacks on hand can be quite challenging.

The thing is that we need to have a certain amounts of proteins, fats, carbs and vitamins, minerals in a day so that we can continue to grow stronger and not get frustrated from dismal results after working out and this is where supplements can give you that edge that you need.

Let’s take a look at the several of the top workout supplement questions that I get asked all the time.

Workout Supplement Question #1

Obviously the first and foremost question I get asked is what are the top workout supplements for men and similarly for women?

Make sure to read these comprehensive articles where I’ve written about the different supplements for men and for women:

Top 10 Workout Supplements for Men
Top Workout Supplements for Women

Workout Supplement Question #2

Are there any concerns with taking all these supplements all together?

The way that I like to look at it is that on your workout days it’s a good idea to supplement to the best of your ability to make sure that you get all the necessary nutrients your muscles need to recover and grow. The question should really be amount the timing of these nutrients which is the next question.

Workout Supplement Question #3

So what is the best timing with supplements, is there a better time in the day to take them?

Generally your rule of thumb should always be that you read the label and follow the recommended suggestions, however let’s look at some of the basic principles.

In the mornings your body has been fasting for several hours so having a multivitamin and an Omega 3 supplement makes sure you get your body the essentials. I have also found that having a whey protein smoothie and adding a glutamine/recovery formula such as Scivation Xtend is a fantastic idea to replenish your muscles with amino acids.

For pre-workout it’s a good idea to have a whey protein smoothie about 60 minutes before, and about 30 minutes before having a workout energy matrix with creatine like Jack3d or SuperPump Xtend to make sure your motivation is going to be at the level you need it to be to keep you always on track. Take it from me, this technique works because it puts you in a conscious level that will prevent you from getting lazy and making excuses of why you shouldn’t workout.

30 minutes post-workout you want to have a recovery formula such as Muscle Pharm Recon or Xtend along with vitamin C and some whey protein. This combination together allows muscles to recover and grow so you don’t feel as sore and tired the next day.

Before bed: if your goal is to gain muscle mass then it’s a good idea to have a casein protein which is slow to digest to continually feed amino acids to your muscle while you are asleep.

Workout Supplement Question #4

Are there side effects from taking supplements?

There are a lot of misconceptions with side effects from supplements and unfortunately I find that the system in place was broken from the start. There haven’t been strict enforcement agencies put in place to monitor the supplement companies and checking to make sure that the ingredients area always as promised. With that said, I believe the power of the internet is your best weapon in knowing how good a supplement really is. If a supplement is places in the market and it is really good then you’ll see a lot of good reviews explaining the benefits people have received from taking them.

In the supplements section of this website we have broken down some of the best supplements in the industry and given you a quick rundown of what the supplement does, who it’s best for and the pros/cons of each one.

Top Workout Supplement Questions: Conclusion

I’d like to hear more of your questions and make this a series of articles that can give you a very strong reference to come back to anytime you want more info on supplements so please make sure to leave your questions in the comment box below. I already have had a few coming in since talking about this on my facebook page so part 2 won’t be far behind, stay tuned…

Top Supplements 2011 Part 2

In the first part of the list for Top Supplements of 2011 I got a lot of great feedback from all over about how the list was right on in terms of ensuring providing the essentials to cutting out toned and defined muscle.

Now we’ll round off the list with some of the other top supplements of 2011 that are getting a ton of attention because of their effectiveness and we’ll also get into some more specialty products.

Once again remember that supplements have different results for different body types so I’m going to try and be as specific as possible on the objectives that the supplements will help you achieve, make sure these match your goals.

Top Supplements 2011 Part 2

6. Optimum 100% Natural Whey Protein – I searched high and low for a protein powder that had no artificial colors, perservatives, flavors or sweetners and so far this is one of the ones that I have found that actually tastes pretty amazing. At only $22 for 2lbs this is a great price considering the protein is also of the highest quality isolates which has a lot less cholesterol, fat, lactose and any of the other stuff you can do without. The vanilla flavour is perfect for mixing into fruit smoothies or even sprinkling onto your oatmeal to give it a protein boost to keep you full and your muscles nourished after your night fast. For more info click here.

7. Gaspari Nutrition SuperPump MAX – you may have heard of SuperPump 250 before, it was a huge success in the industry because it was one of the first pre-workout energy matrix products that got you super motivated to get into the gym and provided some extremely fantastic results in fighting fatigue, increasing endurance and even fighting muscle soreness. Well the 2nd generation is out and it’s called SuperPump MAX which takes it to the next level with a tiny scoop which provides even more effective results. Full of vitamins and minerals this stuff just seems to have the right amount of everything to get you going. For more info click here.

8. USPlabs OxyElite Pro – while I don’t care for most “fat loss” pills, one that has impressed thousands is USPlabs OxyElite Pro. It’s a thermogenic fat buster that was designed specifically with the goal to help you cut down on your body fat. It increases your metabolism also reduces cravings for junk food. Although the main ingredients are plant extracts, it does also contain caffeine since caffeine helps with the uptake and in keeping your body burning calories so a good idea to stick with this in the AM. For more info click here.

9. Optimum Opti-Men & Optimum Opt-Women – if there is one supplement that should be different for men vs women, then that would be a multi-vitamin. We simply have different needs when it comes to these nutrients so it’s definitely worth investing in the right one that is for you. I’d also be weary of multi’s that promise to do everything in one small pill, that’s why the Opti series have 2 or 3 tablets as the serving size. These are great for meeting the needs of us who work out at least 3 times a week. For more info on Opti-Men click here & for more info on Opti-Women click here.

10. Muscle Pharm Shred Matrix – we all are fighting fat on a regular basis and I thought I’d save one of the best for last as MP’s Shred Matrix is quite revolutionary and a new product which is making huge waves in the industry for the results it provides. It has a complex blend of ingredients which includes an 8 stage fat loss system – increasing energy & metabolism, fights hunger and allows better nutrient absorption, stops sugar from crashing your system, enhances well being, eliminates excess water and provides razor sharp mental focus. Quite impressive as it also has a promise of not giving you jitters or causing you to crash. For more info click here.

Top Supplements 2011

This rounds up the top supplements of 2011 and will cover you whether you want to just lose some weight, tone up, cut through the belly fat and get ripped or just add some serious muscle mass.

If you have any questions on these supplements please leave me a comment below, I’d love to hear your feedback!

Top Supplements 2011

When it comes to supplements there are thousands and thousands of brands and different hyped up products that are being pushed by intensive advertising campaigns but how do we differentiate the good from the bad?

If you feel you’re like me and a bit new-school with being open to supplements and not knocking something until you try it yourself then I hope this article is right up your alley.

The key thing to remember is that most of us don’t have enough hours in our days and even if we do sometimes it’s hard making sure we have the perfect diet day in and day out. Supplements should be treated just as their name suggests, supplementing your already healthy diet. Don’t lose focus of that in any way. Just because you are taking a thermogenic supplement doesn’t mean you can eat chocolate and chips all day long!

So what is a good way to gauge the top supplements for this year? I like to use the power of the web and its ability to bring people together to review and leave feedback on supplements as my best weapon in choosing what may work for me and my clients. I’ve found BodyBuilding.com to be a great resource in this aspect since they have a great review system in place and are quite reputable in the brands that they carry (P.S. I did some research for you and found you guys a coupon to use: use this link and coupon code 5off100 to get $5 off if you spend more than $100).

Now let’s get on with the top supplements for 2011…

Top Supplements 2011

1. Optimum 100% Whey Protein – with over 3345 reviews from men and women of all ages and a rating of 9.0 this protein is the cream of the crop. It consists of the purest and highest grade whey protein and is the gold standard in the industry for quality. 1 scoop will get you 24grams of protein and only 130 calories and yet will provide you with the amino acids your muscles need to grow strong and recover from your daily workouts. For more info click here.

2. USPlabs Jack3d – designed purely to take your workouts to the next level by giving you a boost in energy, power and endurance this is not for the faint of heart! In other words, if you are ever, and I mean ever lacking motivation have a small tiny scoop of this pre-workout drink and you will kill it at the gym. A great combination of arginine (NO) and Creatine to give your muscles a fantastic pump and increase your strength to allow you workout hard. For more info click here.

3. SciVation Xtend – branched chain amino acids are the magic formula when it comes to muscle recovery. This is especially powerful for those of you who get quite sore after your workouts so make sure to have a quick shake with Xtend added in within 30 minutes post-workout to help speed recovery. By the way, the watermelon flavour is actually quite good especially if you blend it with lots of ice. For more info click here.

4. Optimum 100% Casein Protein – if you thought all whey protein was made the same then you are in for a treat. Casein protein is a much slower to digest protein which makes it perfect for right before you go to bed. It’s slow absorption rate means that it feeds your muscles when they need it the most – when you are in the rest and recovery stage of sleep! I kept delaying getting this, but once I did I was quite astonished at the difference in made. For more info click here.

5. Optimum Fish Oil – although fish oil may sound kinda gross it really is the best source of the Omega 3 essential fatty acids that we require in our diet. If you wish you ate more fish to get the benefits then this supplement is a must. Essential fatty acids like Omega 3 are the building block of every cell in our bodies and have added benefits of supporting your heart and joint flexibility. For more info click here.

I’m going to stop it at this point and make the remaining 5 as part two of this article since I think this list so far has some of the most fundamental supplements we can all take at any age. Read Top Supplements 2011 Part 2.

If you have any questions or can’t wait to read the 2nd part of this article please leave me a comment below, I’d love to hear your feedback!

Endurance Combos

One of the most important parts of bodybuilding, athletic training or weight loss success is endurance. That is why we have done all the research for you and found the best endurance combos possible to give you the energy boost and longevity you want and need to reach your goals!

We have found a great Beginners Endurance Combo plan as well as an Advanced Endurance Combo for those already in the game looking to boost your already strong endurance to the next level.

Beginners Endurance Combo

Basic Endurance Stack
Hammer H.E.E.D., 2 Lbs., Lemon-Lime
Clif Shot, 24 Packets
Detour Biker Bars, Box of 12
Natrol My Favorite Multiple Energizer, 60 Tablets

To get this combo at a discounted rate go here – Basic Endurance Stack.

H.E.E.D. will provide you with a sport’s drink option that is powerful, flavorful and a cut above the rest. With Hammer H.E.E.D. you will be able to enjoy the common benefits of sports drinks with some extra benefits because of its complete electrolyte profile that goes far beyond the common salt and potassium supplementation.

Clif Shot is an energy gel that tastes great while also being easy for the body to digest and extremely fast acting. This gel has 24 grams of carbohydrates to give you the energy boost you need without having to sit down for a huge carb loaded meal! This product is guaranteed to kick your body into high gear within five to ten minutes of consumption – making it perfect for long-distance activities.

Biker bars are formulated for athletes in order to boost energy for a variety of athletic endeavors. Furthermore, My Favorite Multiple Energizer has been developed to meet all of the needs of your busy life with an all encompassing vitamin, mineral and antioxidant formulation.

Recommended usage:
Hammer H.E.E.D.: Mix 1-2 scoops with 16-24oz of water. Consume immediately before and throughout exercise and competition
Clif Shot: 1 pkg 15 minutes before activity. 1-2 pkg per hour throughout activity. Always follow with water consumption
Detour Biker Bars: 1-2 bars throughout strenuous activity where energy boost and recovery are needed
Natrol My Favorite Multiple Energizer: 1 tablet daily with a meal, preferably breakfast

Advanced Endurance Combo

Advanced Endurance Stack
First Endurance Optygen HP
Ajinomoto Amino Vital Endurance
Endurox Endurox R4
Clif Shot
Detour Runner Bars
Natrol My Favorite Multiple

To get this combo at a discounted rate go here – Advanced Endurance Stack.

This is a combination of revolutionary products that are all designed to give you the maximum energy boost imaginable. First Endurance Optygen HP will give you the oxygen utilization needed to boost your aerobic threshold and calm the lactic acid that causes you to feel your muscles burn. Aminto vital Endurance works to fuel muscles and reduce the negative impact on overworking them.

Endurox R4 assists in recovery of muscles, while Clif Shot is an energy gel that is fast to consume and fast to act giving you an extreme energy boost within five to ten minutes of consuming it. Runners bars will give you all natural energy for the duration of your athletic activity and My Favorite Multiple Energizer will give you the dose of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants you body needs to have to healthily sustain activity.

Recommended Usage:
For this combo we can’t add anything to the instructions already listed on the packaging.

Have any questions or feedback on these Endurance Combos? Please leave a comment below…

Get Ripped Combos

Want to use this month as a THE month to pump up your training? Then you need to find the right starter stack of supplements to get you in the mood and get you shredded by the time winter runs its course!

There are a ton of options out there but that doesn’t mean they are all going to deliver on their promises. We have found the best stacking choices and have left zero work for you to do when it comes to making your getting ripped dreams come true.

What is a stack? It’s a grouping of supplements that are used to maximize your workouts and your dieting efforts so that you are building muscle and shedding fat even when you are asleep.

A good stack consists of four elements; a fat burner, a protein powder, a shake bottle and a multivitamin. A fat burner will aid you shedding pounds of fat by boosting your energy so you can really work your workouts and boosts your metabolic rates so you are burning through stored fat even when resting.

A protein powder is the solution for getting solid calories that will boost your energy, keep your body satisfied and not interfere with your time or training. A shaker bottle is needed so you can get your protein drinks mixed on the go! We all know time is muscle and the more time spent on training the better!

Lastly, the multivitamin is needed to give you the vitamins, minerals and nutrients that are commonly lacking in a weight training diet. Because of the lifestyle it is easy to forget the importance of certain vegetables and fruits so a multivitamin is the easiest and most time effective way to get the right things in the body without taking up a lot of time with grocery shopping and cooking.

Get Ripped Combos Option #1

Get Ripped Combo #1
Fat Burner: Muscle Pharm Shred Matrix
Protein Powder: Optimum 100% Whey, 2 Lbs.
Body Sculpting: Optimum CLA

What’s so great about this combo? Muscle Pharm Shred Matrix has been a top-rated fat burner on multiple bodybuilding and weight loss sites for years now and has the advantage of a multi system approach to fat loss delivering results for men and women alike.

Optimum 100% Weigh is not only a one of the top protein supplements in the current market but it also comes in a a large variety of flavors and actually tastes really good.

Optimum CLA is great at positively affecting body composition by enhancing metabolic activity to lose fat and gain muscle definition incredibly fast.

To get this combo at a discounted rate go here – Get Ripped Combos Option #1.

Get Ripped Combos Option #2

Get Ripped Combo #2
Fat Burner: Cellucor M5 Extreme
Protein Powder: Optimum 100% Whey
Recovery: Muscle Pharm Recon

This stack is recommended because it is affordable while still being high quality. Cellucor M5 Extreme is a fat burner that has been called a “breakthrough” because it offers all the fat burning power you need along with some bonus features like feeling good instead of the antsy and cranky mood swings other fat burners leave you with. Get incredible focus and explosive energy to boost you through muscle gorging pumps and pure lean muscle development.

Once again Optimum 100% Whey is another example of affordable high quality whey protein that has won endless consumer reports as being one of the best tasting in the market. It will deliver the high performance protein you crave and will work to help you build muscle fast with shorter recovery times.

Muscle Pharm Recon is a powerful post workout formula which allows athletes to recover and grow muscle from all angles of nutrition. This is the time you grow the msot and Recon provides you with exactly the right combination of ingredients.

To get this combo at a discounted rate go here – Get Ripped Combo Option #2

Check back regularly for my stack and bodybuilding supplement recommendations!

Supplement Combos for Maximum Weight Loss

Everyone is on a different playing field when it comes to weight loss and everyone has different objectives. That is why we have reviewed three different combos for you to choose from. These combos are specific for: Weight Loss for the Beginner Combo, Weight Loss for the Intermediate Combo and Weight Loss for the Advanced Combo.

Weight Loss for the Beginner Combo

Basic Fat Loss Stack

• Nutrex Lipo 6, 120 Liqui-Caps
• PrimaForce Max CLA, 90 Softgels
• NOW Tru Hoodia Complex, 60 Vcaps
• Chromium Picolinate, 100 Capsules

To get this combo at a discounted rate go here – Basic Fat Loss Stack.

Don’t let the word “beginner” throw you off. This is a potent combination of supplements that will jump-start your weight loss and allow you to burn through fat whether you have ten pounds to lose or one hundred.

Lipo 6 is a liquid capsule that is considered a superior fat burner on the market today. This is a supplement choice that will give you rapid fat-burning results helping you to drop stored fat and keep from retaining fat in the future.

Max CLA works to build muscle in the body for a more athletic frame and physique while Tru Hoodia Complex will help to curb your craving using the power of the hoodia plant as an all natural weight loss suppressant.

Finally, Chromium Picolinate balances the blood sugar levels in your body which encourages lean body mass over fat storage.

Recommended Usage:
Nutrex Lipo 6: 2 capsules, 30 minutes before breakfast and lunch
PrimaForce Max CLA: 1 capsule with breakfast, lunch, and dinner
NOW Tru Hoodia Complex: 1-2 capsules with before breakfast, lunch and dinner
Chromium Picolinate: 1 capsule each morning, preferably with a multivitamin

Weight Loss for the Intermediate Combo

Immediate Weight Loss Stack

• MHP DREN, 30 Capsules
• Scivation Showtime, 70 Capsules
• MAN Vaporize, 90 Softgels

To get this combo at a discounted rate go here – Immediate Weight Loss Stack.

Dren is one of the top fat burners because is triggers your body’s potential for maximum fat burning and has positive side effects like increasing your energy and good mood.

Showtime is great because it helps to get rid of excess water in the body that can cause bloating and cause your defined muscles to stay hidden!

Finally, Vaporize ignites even further your fat burning ability.

Recommended Usage:
MHP DREN: 1 capsule in the morning
Scivation Showtime: 5 capsules after breakfast and lunch, with 16-20oz of water (do not take for more than 3-4 days)
MAN Vaporize: 1-2 capsules with 2-3 meals a day

Weight Loss for the Advanced Combo

Advanced Fat Loss

• Nutrex Lipo 6x, 120 Multi-Phase Capsules
• SciVation Sesamin, 180 Softgels
• BSN Cheaters Relief, 120 Capsules
• Higher Power Hoodia 500, 60 Capsules

To get this combo at a discounted rate go here – Advanced Fat Loss.

Lipo 6x is an even more powerful incarnation of Lipo 6, not to be used by the casual fat loss seeker. This supplement has been called “The Kin of all Hardcore Fat Burners!” and will give you the fat loss power you crave.

Sesamin will give you further fat loss power and Cheaters Relief will give you the edge when you stumble on your diet plans, which won’t happen too often with the appetite suppressing power of Higher Power Hoodia 500.

Recommended usage:
Nutrex Lipo 6x: Start with 2 capsules for the first 2 days (1 in the morning and 1 in the adfternoon) and adds 1 capsule every 2 days until you reach the max dosage of 4 capsules per day (2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon). Do not take if you plan to sleep within 6 hours.
SciVation Sesamin: 1-2 softgels 2-3 times daily with food
BSN Cheaters Relief: Before and after meals
Higher Power Hoodia 500: 2 times a day for the first 7 days, then 1 time a day

If you’re thinking of trying one of these combos make sure to have your health checked beforehand. Have any feedback or questions on these combos, please leave a comment below…

Burn Fat Fast with Assault

There’s a new fat burning supplement in town and it’s gaining massive attention by athletes, coaches and trainers and if you’re lacking any motivation during this season then you are definitely in for a treat.

When it comes to pre-workout supplements there are definitely a ton out there that promise the world, but only a few have come close to creating a bang with your workout without giving you a huge jittery crash afterwards.

After speaking with quite a number of people it seems only USPLabs Jack3d really fulfill this promise and give quite incredible pumps, but now a serious contender is Muscle Pharm Assault. Let’s look at how Assault will help us burn fat fast and then we’ll go into the ingredients and determine if it is right for us…

How We Will Burn Fat Fast with Assault

Assault is derived from a number of clinically proven and powerful naturally occurring substances that together improve performance, endurance and strength. The objectives of Assault are to allow you to train harder, lift more and recover faster from your workouts.

Furthermore, increased blood flow, energy output and mental focus without the overstimulated crash are a focus of the benefits of Assault and why it is gaining so much attention in the fitness and bodybuilding world.

What I especially like about Assault is that it was clinically designed and tested with real athletes and was really made for athletes. There aren’t many other reputable supplement companies which can have the same research to back it up.

And when we’re looking to burn fat fast the main focus we want to have with out workouts is that our intensity is as high as it possibly can be so we dip into our body fat stores to use it as energy. If we have more endurance, strength and overall better training this is a serious over-performing supplement which can make it a lot easier to burn fat fast.

So what about the primary ingredients? Are they safe? What makes up this to be the winner of the Pre Workout Supplement of 2010?

Primary Ingredients to Help Burn Fat Fast with Assault

• 5 grams of creatine per serving: the perfect amount to help us with energy (ATP) production so we can ramp up our workload and not get as quickly tired. Creatine helps provide water to our muscles and increase blood flow so we can excrete wastes from exercise quicker and this allows us to go to the next level.
• 3 grams of arginine per serving: arginine is a naturally occuring precursor for or nitric oxide (NO) production which is a powerful vasodilator giving you a major pump when you workout. If you’ve tried this before you know how effective it can be making your muscles feel engorged with blood and the best part of this is that it supplies your muscles with the nutrients they need to both grow and recover.
• 3 grams of beta alanine per serving: another natural amino acid which helps with muscle contractions and reducing muscular fatigue. Why did we not know more about this before right?
• 3 grams of suma root per serving: a natural performance boosting derivative from a South American herb that Russian athlete have been using for years to increase muscle production, immune function and improvement of energy.

When looking at these guys and the rest there are no red flags when it comes to ingredients which cause side effects. The only ingredient which may be of some concern to those who are caffeine sensitive is caffeine. Because of this I’d recommend not taking it at least 6-7 hours before your bed time so it doesn’t disrupt your sleep. Of course there are some of you who could have a coffee and still sleep an hour later so exceptions definitely exist.

I invite you to give it a go if you think this is a product you want to try to help you burn fat fast, judging by the list of ingredients and from all the awards and reviews this is a pre-workout matrix that is one of, if not the best – Muscle Pharm Assault.

Get Muscle Pharm Assault

Muscle Pharm Assault

 
I’ve checked many different stores and websites and without a doubt the best price discounted on Assault is from one of the most respected online stores – Bodybuilding.com (click here for the discount)

 

 

Have any questions or feedback about Burn Fat Fast with Assault? Please leave me a comment below…

Best Protein Powders

Without a doubt the one natural supplement which has helped me and my clients the most has been protein powder. The market has agreed with this as it has become a multi-billion dollar industry where health food companies have developed thousands of different brands which each cater differently based on your goals.

Regardless of your sex you should really use protein powder to your advantage because it packs the most bang for your buck particularly for those of you who have had hard times fighting cravings, building lean muscle, and of course even wanting to lose fat weight.

Let’s take a quick look at the best protein powders and categorize them on their best qualities…

Best Protein Powder for Taste

If you’ve tried protein powders in the past which have been chalky and taste like crap then most likely you’ve bought a brand which hasn’t measured up to the best sellers out there. For taste I can’t say I’ve come across a protein powder that has tasted as good as the milk chocolate flavour of Gasapri Nutrition’s Myofusion.

Mix a scoop with some ice, a little bit of non-fat milk and a table-spoon of natural organic peanut butter and you have a power-house of nutrients feeding your entire body and especially your muscles. With 25 grams of protein and only 150 calories not much will come close to a quick snack that will fight off any food craving you are having.

Best Protein Powder for Lactose Intolerant People

If you are very sensitive to milk products which have lactose and have been too afraid to try whey protein powder then you’re in luck! Optimum has created a powerful blend of whey protein which not only is lactose free but also cholesterol and sugar free as well – Optimum Platinum Hydrowhey.

Simple flavours like Velocity Vanilla, Supercharged Strawberry & Turbo Chocolate make this a great blender protein that is best taken immediately after your workouts because it’s ability to be digested quickly by your muscles.

Best Protein Powder for Vegans

I’ll be completely honest, even though I have heard many great things about vegetarian sources of protein, none of them has ever tasted as good as whey protein to my knowledge. Rice and hemp proteins are the highest grade of vegetarian protein powders which are trusted by coaches and athletes since soy products have had a lot of controversy with regards to messing around with hormone levels.

Unfortunately rice and hemp proteins usually have a chalky texture but the best tasting and highest quality grade that I have come across is Vega Complete Whole Food Health Optimizer.

With 26 grams of protein and 15 grams of fiber per serving this is quite an incredible vegan brand that is getting a ton of recent attention in the natural weight loss and bodybuilding world.

Best Protein Powder for Curbing Appetite

If you are looking for a protein powder that will help curb your appetite and be focused on helping you stack on muscle then you may look at weight gainers. With that said most weight gainers have a lot of extra sugar and fats and almost act like a complete meal replacement so it’s best to look for a weight gainer that has natural ingredients.

Luckily I came across a protein powder that actually has smart carbs in it, oats! Oats are great because they have fiber and are slow digesting which means you won’t get a huge blood sugar spike, Optimum 100% Natural Oats & Whey.

With 24 grams of protein and 23 grams of carbs per serving and 200 calories this is actually quite a healthy alternative.

Best Protein Powder for Night Time

Most whey protein powders found in the market are isolates, but there is another form of protein called casein. Isolates are great because they are digested very quickly and are great after your workouts when your body is looking for amino acids the most. However, casein protein is a much more slowly digested form which is great for feeding your muscles between meals or at night time when your body is fasting.

Optimum Nutrition has created a natural casien protein powder which has no artificial flavors, sweetners or additives – Optimum 100% Natural Casein.

Best Protein Powders

I hope you enjoyed this list of best protein powders in the market today. Remember to mix it up and have fun blending in different fruits, veggies and natural peanut or almond butter so you don’t get bored of the taste. I like to have a vegan protein powder in the morning because of the fiber blast, Optimum Platinum Hydrowhey as a snack or right after my workouts, and the casein protein about an hour before going to bed at night so I get the best of all worlds.

If you have any questions, comments or feedback about this list please leave me a comment below…

What you need to know about Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydro Whey

You have probably heard about Optimum Nutrition as they have the top selling whey protein in the market having won numerous public rated awards for this over the past several years.

Now they have taken it up a notch and developed Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydro Whey which is a premium whey protein product which promises to be of the finest ingredients and is lactose free.

In fact, Optimum Nutrition claims that it is the purest, fastest and most advanced whey protein ever developed – in a word it is excellence. Does this product meet up to it’s hype?

Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydro Whey is for:

• Anybody who want a premium source of high quality protein
• Those of you who want a good tasting protein with only 140 calories per serving and minimal carbs
• Men and women who are focused on building lean muscle mass
• Anyone who wants to curb their cravings and supplement with a healthy alternative

Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydro Whey is:

• Made with digestive enzymes to make it very easy to digest and prevent bloating
• Has excellent taste and contains no excess fat, cholesterol or lactose
• 30 grams of ultra pure whey protein isolates for fast delivery to your muscles
• A fantastic solution for those focused on weight loss and lean muscle developemtn

There are a few issues worth mentioning:

• Because of its purity and intensive production it is slightly more expensive than most whey proteins
• Should be taken with fruit or another source of carbohydrates after working out for optimal results
• Is a protein that is slow digesting and therefore better suited for those who have planned out their daily intake

Some common misspellings include :

• Optimum Nutrition Platimum Hydro Whey
• Optimum Nutrition Platinum HydroWhey
• ON Platinum Hydro Whey

From our experience the truth behind Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydro Whey is that it really is one of the best whey proteins in the market. It tastes fantastic, mixes extremely well and is made of the best ingredients which makes it worth every penny. Try the vanilla with frozen berries or the chocolate with some real peanut butter and you have a yummy snack that you will look forward to every day.Get this special discounted price on Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydro Whey Today!

Protein and Muscle Building

The relationship of protein and muscle building can not be understated and is a critical component of our success when it comes to weight training even if our sole objective is to burn more fat through increased lean muscle mass.

I thought it was important to revisit this topic since my recent personal training conference gave me a little more insight on what most people think to be true when it comes to protein and muscle building and what the reality of all of it is.

Let me first start off with those of you who question the benefits of additional protein in your diets. Sure getting extra protein from natural raw foods is really hard, especially because most high protein foods also come with high fat content.

The exception of course exists such as skim milk, non-fat yogurt or eggs, but considering a full glass of milk has only about 9 grams of protein this means we would need to consume a heck of a lot of skim milk to increase our protein intake substantially.

Let’s look at how much protein we should be getting when training with weights…

Protein and Muscle Building: How Much?

Before we get into more facts about protein we should know how much protein we should be consuming if we are doing any weight training exercise regimen.

For women we’re looking at about 0.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight. So if you weight 140lbs that means 70 grams of protein.

For men we’re looking at about 0.8 grams of protein per pound of body weight. So if you weight 180 lbs that means 144 grams of protein.

What about those of you who are really focused on putting on muscle mass? Most bodybuilding experts believe that protein amounts up to 1.0-1.2 grams of protein per pound of body weight can really help with added muscle mass quickly since this will make sure your body is flooded extra amino acids that you are never in a state of catabolism (which is the process of breaking down muscle).

If you revisit the numbers above you’ll see this means a significant difference in your protein intake so make note of that.

So I think you’ll know what I mean when I say it is difficult to make sure we get the right amount of protein in our diets since even high protein lean meats like chicken or steak only have about 25-40 grams of protein.

The Truth About Protein Supplementation

With this in mind you should know that if you’re not supplementing with protein supplementation then you are really missing a critical component in achieving lean muscle mass production.

What are the best protein supplements in the market made of?

Without a doubt the most popular is whey protein which is derived from the natural by-products of cheese production. Whey protein is rich in amino acids which are readily available to be absorbed by our digestive system and sent to help our muscles recover and grow.

What about vegetable sources of whey protein for those of you who are vegetarians, vegans or just highly lactose intolerant?

Well first of all most whey protein supplements these days are either low lactose or even completely devoid of lactose so don’t rule it out just because of that. That aside, some of you may find that most vegetarian sources of protein supplements are soy based. I will stick my neck out with this and say that from all the research I’ve read the facts are that soy protein is one of the cheapest to produce and has negative side effects for both men and women that leads it to be one of the less desired supplements. (If you want to know more about soy protein leave me a comment below and I’ll write up an article specifically on this topic).

But there are other great veggie sources of protein supplementation such as that from rice and hemp that is overtaking the vegan market.

Let’s look at some specific supplements…

Protein Supplements

As a trainer I’ve tried and tested quite a few protein supplements with my clients and have been quite impressed with the following which are also the top sellers in the market. Just backs up the fact that in today’s online world unless your products taste great and have a premium high quality ingredients people will tell their friends and on the internet word spreads extremely fast.

Top rated best selling whey protein – Platinum Hydrobuilder
No artificial flavors or sweetners whey protein – Optimum 100% Natural Whey
Best tasting low calorie whey protein – Gaspari Nutrition Myofusion
Best tasting high fiber and vegan protein – Vega Complete Whole Food Health Optimizer

Have any more questions about Whey Protein and Muscle Building? Leave a comment below and I’ll make sure to get you a reply…

Workout Supplements: 2010 Award Winners

Since I get asked about the most effective supplements all the time I thought it would be cool too feature an article on the 2010 Supplement Awards which were just announced a few days ago.

I’m pretty new-school with my training, I believe in focusing in on a very healthy and plentiful diet rich of lean meats and veggies but I also know that supplements can really help boost all our efforts especially when we’re training at a very high capacity. In the old school world supplements get a hard rap with fear of the unknown and fly by supplement companies that are out to make a quick buck.

Luckily with the power of internet these supplement companies don’t last very long simply because word-of-mouth can spread very quickly and unless quality is served everyone hears about it very quickly.

Regardless, let’s look at some of the best 2010 Supplement Award winners!

Workout Supplements Award: Best Fat Loss

USPLabs OxyElite Pro – I had a feeling this one would win this year simply because the buzz behind this product has been huge. The thing about most fat loss supplements is that they have hundreds and hundreds of grams of caffeine and ephedrine derivatives like synephrine and other harsh stimulants, but that’s what makes OxyElite Pro really stand out. It only has caffeine the equivalent of a cup of coffee, the rest are plant extracts that act as a thermogenic to burn fat and increase energy and support. Pretty impressive. For more info – USPLabs OxyElite Pro

Workout Supplements Award: Best Energy Supplement & Best Pre Workout

Once again, you may have seen me forecast this, especially since I devoted an entire article to USPlabs Jack3d (view my article here – Jack3d Lean Muscle Supplement). I don’t know what else to say about it other than this is the hands down best pre-workout energy supplement you can find on the market that will make anyone lacking motivation into a workout superstar. With creatine, beta alanine and arginine I’d be surprised if you didn’t get a huge pump from your workout after taking this. For more info – USPlabs Jack3d

Workout Supplements Award: Best Recovery

I heard a lot about Scivation Xtend before looking into and deciding it was the right post-workout supplement for me. What makes it so impressive? The BCAA’s (branch chained amino acids) that it supplies your muscles is so impressive that it is like a superhero speedy recovery drink with pretty much no other additives other than Vitamin B6. The watermelon flavour? A huge winner! For more info – Scivation Xtend

Workout Supplements Award: Best New Brand of the Year

With such strong brands in the supplement world you know one has to be stellar in order to make it through the door and Cellucor has done so with flying colours. Their mission as stated throughout their website is to deliver the best results possible while improving the customer’s quality of life and that is a bold statement which is definitely backed up. Cellucor has become popular by their best selling lean muscle kits and extreme muscle growth activator kits. For more info – CellucorProducts

Workout Supplements Award: Best New Supplement of the Year

If you want the best of the best whey protein which is lactose free, cholesterol free and sugar free then Optimum Platinum Hydrowhey is hard to beat. It’s a little more on the pricier side but you get what you pay for and with 30 grams of protein and only 140 calories per serving this ultra pure whey protein was made for the most elite of athletes. Flavours like Turbo Chocolate, Velocity Vanilla and Supercharged Strawberry means simple and clean taste that is great for mixing with your favorite ingredients. Fore more info – Optimum Platinum Hydrowhey

Workout Supplements: Conclusion

There you have it, the best of the best for 2010, and if you guys want to hear some of the rest of the winners please make sure to leave me a comment below and include your feedback so I will make this a multi-part article…

What you need to know about Lean Body Double Dipped Bars

Labrada Lean Body Double Dipped Bars are one of the most talked about protein bars on the planet and include the highest rating from thousands of reviewers.

Great tasting flavors like white chocolate peanut butter crunch, chocolate rocky road crunch and peanut butter chocolate crunch, these bars are double dipped so you get an incredibly delicious snack.

Everyone who has ever looked into to working out knows the important of getting the right amount of protein in your diet. This is not saying that protein is more or less important than any other nutrient, but in the world of weight loss and muscle building, protein is key and these bars are great for days when your time is extremely limited and yet you want to stick to your healthy high protein diet.

Lean Body Double Dipped Bars are for:

• Anybody who want a convenient source of high quality protein
• Athletes who need healthy and beneficial snacks before or after their sports
• Anyone who is looking for a tasty and healthy treat to enjoy over other options

Lean Body Double Dipped Bars have:

• Tasty chocolate coating
• Actually good tasting protein bar
• 21 grams of protein

As with all protein bars, there are a few issues worth mentioning:

• Is mostly for those who want to increase muscle mass
• Should be eaten mostly on heavy training and/or rest days
• Includes nuts so not for those who have nut allergies

Some common misspellings include :

• Leen Body Double Dipped Bars
• Lean Body Dobble Dipped Bars
• Labrada Double Dipped Bars

Protein bars seem to be only getting more popular as they are designed to taste better and better every day. Whether you are focusing on building muscle, playing sports or just staying healthy protein bars are a great snack choice. Lean body double dipped bars are one of the best tasting protein bars on the planet that are extremely satisfying.Get the best price on Lean Body Double Dipped Bars Today!

What you need to know about Muscle Pharm Assault

With an average rating of 9/10, if you’re looking for a high performance energy supplement then you may want to consider supplementing with Muscle Pharm’s latest pre workout matrix – Assault.

Assault grew a strong reputation for helping increase endurance, intensity and stamina for top athletes in the NFL, UFC and bodybuilding competitions. Now with cutting edge ingredients like Creatine HCL, Suma root and beta alanine, Assault is a break through performance enhancer that is safe for men and women who are wanting to switch things up and take their workouts to the next level.

Muscle Pharm backs up Assault with a purity and safety guarantee using state of the art facilities that follow government approved manufacturing standards. All products are analyzed and verified to ensure accuracy of information is 100% accurate.

Muscle Pharm is made specifically for those serious about their training:

• Including athletes who want to enhance their performance naturally
• Men and Women who are tired of not being able to shed excess body fat
• Those who are lacking motivation to workout consistently

Muscle Pharm has been proven to:

• Increase endurance and delay fatigue
• Ramp up intensity and agility
• Provide razor sharp mental focus

Muscle Pharm has a 3 matrix ingredient powerhouse:

• Muscle Explosion NO Matrix: Beta-Alanine, L-Arginine Blend (L-Arginine AKG 2:1, Di Arginine Malate, L-Arginine HCL), Citrulline Malate, Glycine, Suma Root Extract
• Strength Domination & Recovery Matrix: Creapure (Creatine Monohydrate), CON-CRET Creatine HCL (100% Concentrated Creatine), L-Glutamine
• Mind Connection Matrix: Taurine, Pyroglutamic Acid, L-Tyrosine, Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT), Papain 1000, Caffeine, L-Aspartic Acid, Pyridoxine HCL, Cyanocobalamin

As with all training supplements, there are a few issues worth mentioning:

• Meant for those who are serious and consistent with their workouts
• Best to have earlier in the day in order to not affect sleep
• Should not be taken with any other stimulants

Some common misspellings include :

• Muscle Farm Assault
• Muscle Pharm Assaut
• Musle Pharm Assault

It’s good to see some competition arising for pre-workout performance enhancers like USPLabs Jacked and Gaspari Nutrition’s SuperPump 250, and Muscle Pharm has made a stellar product that is being highly praised by top notch athletes.

If you’re looking for a motivation boost along with endurance and high intensity benefits then you will likely find Muscle Pharm Assault to give you a huge bang for your buck. You won’t find this product lacking anything compared to other top sellers, in fact some are saying that is even more advanced and provides better results from your hard work. Get the best price on Muscle Pharm Assault Today!

What you need to know about Labrada BCAA Power

If you’re one to go through workouts and have muscle pain the next few days then you are not alone and this kind of pain can definitely get in the way of your workout progress.

Lucky for you, BCAA Power is natural supplement to help your muscles recover more quickly and allow you to maximize your efforts from working out. BCAA stands for “Branched Chain Amino Acids”, and BCAA Power mix is made up completely of these amino acids.

What BCAA does is fuel the body with the necessary ingredients to help in all forms of post workout recovery, on top of this, BCAA also helps with some other factors of working out such as lean muscle growth and production.

BCAA power can be used by anyone who is looking to:

• Reduce muscle soreness or D.O.M.S. (delayed onset muscle soreness)
• Increase recovery time
• Increase lean muscle mass

Labrada BCAA Power has been proven to:

• Speeds up muscle recovery
• Prevents muscle breakdown and fatigue
• Provide long lasting energy to muscles
• Increases protein synthesis in muscles
• Promotes natural anabolic hormone production

As with all workout supplements, there are a few issues worth mentioning:

• Can cause a feeling of fullness
• May reduce appetite slightly
• Some people dislike the texture

Some common misspellings include :

• Labrda BCAA Power
• Labarad BCAA Power
• Labrad BCAA Power

Those who have a very engaged lifestyle and do not want to be slowed down by muscle pain could benefit immensely by supplementing with this product. Although BCAA Power is a great supplement some have found taste and overall value of Scivation Xtend to be a better BCAA supplement, but you may want to try Labrada BCAA Power to switch things up and prevent your body from getting used to only one supplement.Get the best price on Labrada BCAA Power Today!

Omega 3 Health Benefits

You’ve probably heard a lot about Omega 3′s and fish oil supplements in the past little while and although a few recent studies have shown that some fish oils can contain heavy metals like mercury, we should not overlook the fact that this is not always the case and as a consumer we can make an educated decision for us and our families.

I should preface this article by defining Omega 3′s as essential fatty acids, meaning that our bodies cannot create them and we must obtain them from our diet. So what are all the health benefits of Omega 3′s anyway and is fish oil the best source?

Omega 3 Health Benefits

Omega 3 fatty acids play a very important role in cellular growth and development as well as playing a crucial role in brain function. Latest studies back up the fact that Omega 3′s are vital in reducing inflammation and thereby possibly reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, arthritis and even cancer.

Physiologically speaking, Omega 3′s are mostly concentrated in the brain and have shown to be important for cognitive (brain performance & memory) and behavioral function.

I like to highlight this part because as you know losing weight and staying motivated to get into the gym requires a lot of focus and willpower to succeed, so if Omega 3′s can help in any way with our success then why not pay a little more attention to our intake of them?!

Furthermore, although scientific studies show no direct biological relation to Omega’s causing weight loss, the mental benefits are not even considered which I believe is a miss in the scientific community.

Are Plant Sources of Omega 3′s better than Fish Oils?

Although there has been a lot of media hype with regards to build up of mercury in fish oil, researchers from Harvard’s School of Public Health conducted an extensive review and reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association (2006) that the benefits of fish intake generally far outweigh the potential risks.

So the next question you may be asking is what about Omega 3′s from plants such as flax seeds? The Center for Science in the Public Interest reports that “the omega-3s that FDA considers healthful (DHA and EPA) aren’t found in plants such as flax seed. Interesting because all along if you were thinking like me Omega 3′s are Omega 3′s right? Well now we know better.

Ok, we’re going to go for the best of the best with fish oil how can we chose the healthiest of products? Well we can avoid most toxins reported in mostly farmed fish by choosing to buy deep sea wild fish instead (or supplements made of these fish).

After doing a little research I found that Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega is by far one of the top consumer rated Omega 3 supplements in the market. All their products have gone through 3rd party testing to make sure that their supplements pass even the most stringent standards when it comes to screening for heavy metals and dioxins. Plus their supply of fish is from Norway were cold water fish are the least polluted and to take it even further the oil is molecularly distilled for purity to ensure none of these chemicals are present.

Omega 3 Health Benefits: Conclusion

I hope you found this article both informative and enlightening because at the end of the day we all need Omega 3′s in our diet, and if we can gain any cognitive performance benefit then we know we are doing the best to be our healthiest.

If you have any questions or comments about Omega 3 health benefits please leave a comment below…

What you need to know about B-A Endurance

B-A endurance is specifically designed to keep you energetic during your workouts, so that no day is wasted in the gym and you can progress without delays.

B-A endurance combines beta-Alanine with Histidine to increase carnosine stores is your muscles.

Carnosine is a naturally produced chemical in our bodies which is responsible for delaying muscle fatigue. Using B-A Endurance will increase the amount of carnosine in your body, making it much easier to work out harder than you ever though you could before.

B-A Endurance is for anyone who is looking for an overall increase in the amount of energy they have ready at their disposal when they start exercising.

• Those who workout out after a long days of work
• Those who find they get tired half way through their workouts
• Those who are wanting to get stronger and put on some lean muscle mass

B-A Endurance has been proven to:

• Provide more energy during workouts
• Vastly improve overall productivity & results from exercise
• Boost muscle production and reduce time spent waiting to recover from workouts

As with all workout supplements, there are a few issues worth mentioning:

• Takes several days of supplementation to notice results
• Increased protein intake is required for muscle production
• Over-training will hinder the benefits from this supplement, so making sure a day or two of rest a week is still essential

Some common misspellings include :

• BA Endurance
• B-A Enduronce
• B-A Endurnce

Going to the gym can be fun and rewarding, especially after a muscle ripping workout that leaves you physically exhausted but mentally exhilarated. One the other side, there is nothing worse than showing up to the gym and doing half of what you did last week, with twice the effort.

When heading out to the gym, you need to be physically ready. That’s why you need the best supplements to keep you pumped and motivated throughout your routine, so that you can finish faster and harder than you ever did before.

Although this is not the most important supplement a bodybuilder can have, it definitely helps. By buying this product, you are basically paying for less time in the gym with the same productivity. If you do not get enough time in the gym for some reason, or you gym want to work out harder, then you should definitely check out B-A Endurance. Get the best price on B-A Endurance Today!

Sports Nutrition Supplements

The other day I was asked on my facebook fan page about what the most popular sports nutrition supplements that athletes are taking today.

I thought this was a great topic to write a blog article about since there have been some serious advancements in the way these supplements can enhance our performance both in the gym and with sports while staying away from the side effects that the old school supplements were so prevalent with.

Now with all supplements you’re going to have to weigh out the pros and cons and maybe even run a few tests to see what really works for you as what works for your friends may not work for you.

Sports Nutrition Supplements: Truth About Creatine

Creatine (monohydrate) is a natural sports supplement which most definitely had the greatest buzz in the 90’s. If you haven’t heard of it or thought it was just for serious male athletes then let’s take another look at it.

We often obtain creatine from meat so vegetarians are usually found to have lower levels of creatine in their muscles which is something to take note of for those of you who don’t eat meat on a regular basis. Where creatine really comes into play with regards to sports performance is by helping with the transfer of energy molecules which in turn results in an increase of our maximal power and performance in high intensity exercises by as much as 15%.

So what does this mean for us? If supplementing with creatine can increase our efforts in our gym and take us to the next level then not only will our bodies produce more muscle but we will also be able to burn fat at an accelerated pace. Sports wise we can hit harder, run faster & perform at our best hence why creatine is a staple supplement of any serious athlete.

What about Creatine Ethyl Ester? A lot of supplement companies have tried to come out and say that they have created newer more advanced formulas to allow creatine to be absorbed by your muscles and therefore give you better results. The problem is that most of these studies are unfound as they have not been conducted by a second party within a double-blind study environment.

So should you take Creatine? If you haven’t yet, regardless of whether you are a man or women, try it out and give it about 2 weeks to see results as there is some time required for your body to absorb the creatine and create a store for when you exercise. After a couple months you can give a 2 week break to reset your muscles. Top pure creatine monohydrate supplements in the market include: Optimum Micronized Creatine & Higher Power Micronized Creatine

Sports Nutrition Supplements: Nitric Oxide

One of the most popular and best selling supplements in the past few years are labeled as Nitric Oxide enhancers. What this basically means is an amino acid known as Arginine which we convert naturally into Nitric Oxide. So what is the benefit?

Nitric Oxide increases blood flow to muscles an in turn provides more nutrients allowing them to become larger when subjected to stress. For any athlete this means that with a greater nutrient supply we also have the ability to recover and grow our muscles faster.

Without a doubt the top seller in the industry for the past several years is BSN’s NO-Xplode, whose primary ingredient is Arginine. I’ve personally found this one to be not as effective as Gaspari Nutrition’s SuperPump 250, and both include Creatine and Vitamin B’s for a very powerful boost. If you are however looking for a low priced pure Arginine supplement then Optimum Nitric Boost is the next best highest rated alternative.

Sports Nutrition Supplements: Energy Drinks

There are a ton of energy drinks in the market including Gatorade, Red Bull, Monster and probably over a hundred others, but what does the scientific research show?

Some of you may not consider Gatorade as an energy drink but it’s high carbohydrate content coupled with electrolytes makes Gatorade a decent supplement for those who are training in long endurance sports include running, biking, rowing and anything else which is generally over an hour long.

With regards to Red Bull, Monster and energy drinks in this category the primary ingredient is caffeine and then there is a ton of other so-called “performance enhancing” ingredients. Unfortunately, most of these are unfound and sugar is the other big culprit.

Some energy drink manufacturers have come out with zero sugar alternatives which are a little better and ABB Speed Stack is one of these which has gotten some pretty incredible positive eviews.

Just remember with these to take them earlier on in the day otherwise they will give you an energy boost but they will also keep you awake all night!

Sports Nutrition Supplements: Conclusion

Although I could add another handful to this list these 3 are definitely the most effective and powerful sports nutrition supplements to date. If this is an area of a lot of people’s interest, in a future article I will expand on this and get into some other supplements which can also help you take it to the next level. Please leave a comment below if this is something you would like to know more about or have any other feedback/questions!

What you need to know about Ultimate Nutrition Amino Bolic

Amino Bolic is a supplement that provides your body all the necessary amino acids to increase caloric efficiency, protein synthesis, and muscle recovery rate.

It varies from other amino acid supplements in that it provides free-form amino acids, which are smaller amino molecules that digest and absorb easier.

For serious athletes looking to boost amino acid levels during workouts, Amino Bolic gives you 6000 mg of Leucine per serving and BCAA’s. Leucine helps your muscles get into an anabolic state (muscle building instead of muscle damaging state), and BCAA’s act as a fuel source for muscles to prevent catabolism.

Anyone who isn’t receiving a balanced diet of amino acids, including:

• Those focusing on building muscle and endurance
• Those who feel mentally fatigued and stressed
• People with protein allergies

Amino Bolic has been proven to:

• Increased energy, muscle recovery speed, muscle and strength gain, and fat loss
• Provide tendon, ligament, and organ maintenance and repair
• Increase production of hormones, enzymes, and neurotransmitters

As with all weight training supplements, there are a few issues worth mentioning:

• Not intended for building serious mass
• Not intended to be used as a weight gaining supplement
• The capsules are a little large and hard to swallow for 7 caplet daily intake

Some common misspellings include :

• Ultimate Nutriotn Amino Bolic
• Ultimate Nutrition Amino Bolicc
• Aminoo Bolic

As an amino acid supplement, it definitely helps your energy and recovery time, and the health benefits are very beneficial.

As a weight and mass gainer, it is not as effective, and should be combined with other supplements specifically geared for those areas. Get the best price on Ultimate Nutrition Amino Bolic Today!

What you need to know about Carb Watchers Lean Body

As someone who is trying to watch their weight, it is important to keep track precisely how much food you intake into your body each day. Despite most of our precautions, it is still fairly easy to stray from your eating schedule, especially when you have more important things to worry about than how much food you ate today.

Although you can’t caught up in schedule issues, nothing is stopping you from preparing better with a little forward thinking in mind. A good way to do this is by using carb watchers lean body meal replacement.

Carb watchers lean body is a specially designed beverage which contains all of the necessary nutrients that the body needs and nothing more. Carb watchers lean body also contains sucrolose rather than sugar, so you don’t have to feel guilty after drinking it (also great for those who are diabetic or are trying to really watch their blood sugar levels).

Carb watchers lean body was especially made for:

• Those who follow athletic diets as an alternative in case they are not able to intake their scheduled meal at the very moment
• Those who want to have a quick and healthy snack at work which will help them curb their appetite for junk food
• Diabetics can also enjoy carb watchers lean body, since the sugar is replaced with sucrolose, which is not harmful to diabetics.

Carb Watchers Lean Body has been proven to:

• Overall replenishing weight loss and training supplement
• Great for meals in traffic, during meetings, etc. (Whenever a full meal is not an option)
• Help health oriented people stay on top of their game and side swipe junk foods

As with all weight loss supplements, there are a few issues worth mentioning:

• Although sucralose has been deemed safe by the FDA for even pregnant women and children you may want to discuss it with your doctor
• You will still need to follow a proper diet structure to get the most benefits from this product
• Some customers have said that it is best to have this in between meals rather than as a meal replacement

Some common misspellings include :

• Carb Wachers Lean Body
• Carb Watchers Leen Bode
• Carbohydrate Watchers Lean Body

Although meal replacements are not a total necessity for working out, they do come in handy when you just don’t have a chance to eat before or after work outs, and especially if you are following the 6 meals a day routine. Carb Watchers Lean Body is a great source of protein, vitamins and minerals which will help anyone who is struggling with reducing body fat. Get the best price on Carb Watchers Lean Body Today!

What you need to know about Vaso-Pump Hot Start

Vaso-Pump Hot Start is a brand new nitric oxide stimulator, one that enhances strength, muscle size, muscle hardness and overall vascularity.

Nitric oxide stimulator promotes a healthier body, and is the 4th generation of a line of researched and developed products, all which are better than the one before them.

Vaso-Pump Hot Start contains gymnostemma, an ingredient which is clinically proven to increase Nitric oxide levels within your body.

Vaso-Pump Hot Start is for:

• Those wanting to lose fat and get an extra kicker in their supplement collection that really goes a long way (good for use with creatine)
• Athletes who want to perform faster, harder, and better than they ever could
• Anyone who needs a boost of energy that lasts and gets the job done

Vaso-Pump Hot Start has been proven to:

• Improves muscle strength, size and endurance
• Increase vascularity
• Provide results fast

Do you want your body to perform at its peak? Then you need to have to have the right supplements to back it up. When it comes to performance enhancers, there are several supplements that you can pick and choose from, but which ones will provide the best results, the fastest?

If you don’t already know, as far as muscle strength and endurance goes nitric oxide is one of the most important components to revving your work outs. When you use nitric oxide stimulators, you are providing your muscles with enough energy to power through your workout and make your muscles work harder than you ever could, and if you are interested in such a thing, then you really should give this supplement a try.

Some common misspellings include :

• VasoPump Hot Start
• Vaso-Pump HotStart
• VasohPump Hot Start

If you need a little something to give you the extra boost of energy that you need to complete your routine, then Vaso-Pump is what you need. Nitric oxide in its supplemental form, is a very powerfl component in delivering everything your muscles need to work out past your limit, and at another level of intensity. Get the best price on Vaso-Pump Hot Start Today!

What you need to know about Argilean

If you’ve worked out before you know how absolutely incredible it feels when you get that muscle pump and your adrenaline is giving you such a rush. One of the causes of this is the amino acid by the name of Arginine which is integral to our health.

So if you’re looking for a supplement to enhance this powerful effect, then Labrada nutrition has a pretty cool solution for you.

ArgiLean is an esterified version of arginine, which increases nitric oxide within muscle cells, making them fuller, stronger, and bigger as a result. The ability to allow you to increase muscle mass plus tone and look good is all simplified with this product and the reviews from users is quite exceptional.

ArgiLean can and should be used by all types of exercisers who want to make the most out of their work outs.

• This product is optimal for those who are serious about making substantial muscle gains
• If you’ve found that your results have begun to really slow down then this is great for really giving you a boost out of your plateau
• Working out when your energy level is pretty detrimental to your progress and AriLean will give you a serious pump

ArgiLean has been proven to be:

• One of the most significant break-throughs in the science of Nitric Oxide (NO2) and giving you a fantastic workout pump
• Because of its effectiveness it crushes the competition when it comes to more bang for your buck
• Thermoloid

The only disadvantage there is to using ArgiLean is if you have had a serous heart condition. People with heart conditions run the risk of complications due to the stimulating nature of this product.

Some common misspellings include :

• Argilene
• Argileen
• Argileane

Esterified Arginine is a must for anyone who takes their working out seriously and wants to break through their plateau. This products is guaranteed to accelerate your results, give you greater total muscle ratio and at such a small price for 120 capsules, you can’t go wrong with this product. Get the best price on Argilean Today!

What you need to know about Cellucor M5 Extreme

M5 Extreme is a great creatine-based supplement for helping you gain lean muscle mass, gorge pumps, and increased energy and focus. It also helps in prolonging your workouts, allowing your sessions to be longer and more intense.

With a blend of pH resistant creatine and creatine precursors, nitric oxide precursors, insulin modifiers, and growth hormone agonists, this product will help you achieve the strength and size you strive for, without bloating.

M5 Extreme is designed for serious athletes and bodybuilders who wish to:

• Increase natural energy levels both pre- and post-workout
• Intensify and withstand longer lasting and more effective workouts
• Increase the number of vein gorging lift pumps

Cellucor M5 Extreme has been proven to:

• Provide an explosion in energy and focus (without the jitters)
• Show incredible results with lean muscle mass gains
• Give you incredible pumps without the over-stimulation found in similar products

As with all workout supplements, there are a few issues worth mentioning:

• The creatine supplement generally works best when taken over long periods of time, so this product is best used if you are committed for several months
• Some people experience insomnia or disturbed sleep patterns
• While the flavors (Fruit Punch, Cherry Limeade, and Cinnamon Apple) generally have good feedback compared to other supplements, some people have complained of a strong aftertaste

Some common misspellings include :

• Cellecor M5 Extreme
• 5M Extreme
• M5 Extreem

While it is a very effective creatine based supplement, it takes a few weeks to see results so make sure to follow the directions. Users have said that their workouts feel more intense and last longer than with any other creatine supplement on the market, and it has also proven to speed up muscle recovery time.

While the supplemental benefits are tangible, anyone who tries it has raved about their new found drive and ability to focus in the gym. If you’re not looking for a long term creatine supplement, it may not be for you, but it’s a great product for serious athletes and bodybuilders. Get the best price on Cellucor M5 Extreme Today!

What you need to know about Muscle Advance Protein Powder

In order to build lean muscle and shed fat, a diet rich in protein is an absolute necessity. If you workout daily, you are going to need to feed your body high quality protein to metabolize muscle and support your body. Protein isolate powder was developed to be low-carb, contain a high number of vitamins and minerals (including Vitamins A, B-6, B-12, C, D, E, Calcium, Biotin, and Niacin), contain BCAA’s, as well as a digestive enzyme complex. It is an effective supplement both pre- or post-workout.

Because it is low-carb and high quality protein, this Isolate formula is beneficial for anyone, including:

• Athletes
• Those wanting to build muscle
• Those wanting to shed fat

Muscle Advance Protein Powder has some fantastic qualities:

• Contains a low glycemic index to ensure healthy blood sugar levels
• Great mixability
• One of the most complete supplemental combinations of BCAA’s, vitamins, minerals, digestive enzymes, collagen, and bovine colostrums available

As with all weight loss supplements, there are a few issues worth mentioning:

• Slight powdery aftertaste (common in most whey protein supplements)
• Overuse of whey protein will be excreted and stored in the body as fat
• Should not be taken by anyone with any pre-existing kidney problems

Some common misspellings include :

• Muscle Advance Protien Powder
• Muslce Advance Protein Powder
• Muscle Advance Portein Powder

Compared to other isolate protein products, this definitely gives you a great bang for the buck. At $39.95 per tub, you’re getting a great combination formula and will not have to worry about stacking supplements.

Akin to a science project, stacking is one of the most confusing aspects for casual lifters, and many people make crucial mistakes when combining supplements, ultimately rendering them ineffective. This is a solid product for dieters and athletes, but professional bodybuilders may want to target more specific areas via stacking. Get the best price on Muscle Advance Protein Powder Today!

What you need to know about Ultimate Nutrition Anti-Oxidant

Ultimate Nutrition Anti-Oxidant provides your cells and tissues an additional layer of protection against free radicals, which are produced by intense exercise. These free radicals can damage muscles and cause muscle pain for days after your workout, which obviously hurts your training routine.

This vitamin and mineral blend from Ultimate Nutrition contains Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Zinc, Beta-carotene, Cysteine, Glutathione, and Selenium to help oxidize free radicals and neutralize potential muscle damage.

Your natural metabolism can create excess free radicals, so it’s important to neutralize these so you can reach your athletic potential.

While it’s a great dietary supplement for everyone, it’s particularly beneficial for anyone who:

• Works out often or has a physical job
• Is exposed to pollution or cigarette smoke (i.e. bartenders, factory workers, residents of big cities, etc.)
• Doesn’t have many fruit or veggies each day

Ultimate Nutrition Anti-Oxidant has been proven to:

• It stimulates and maintains cartilage, bones, and teeth
• Prevents lung oxidation through nitrogen dioxide and ozone (two primary components of air pollution)
• Eliminates toxins from your central nervous and immune systems

As with all health supplements, there are a few issues worth mentioning:

• Does not directly help increase muscle mass or strength gain
• Should be combined with other dietary supplements for additional vitamins and minerals
• Caplets are fairly large, can be hard to swallow for some people

Some common misspellings include :

• Ultimate Nutrition Anti-Oxidant
• Ultimate Nurtition Anti-Oxidant
• Ultimate Nutrition Antioxidant

As a dietary supplement Ultimate Nutrition Anti-Oxidant is very effective, but needs to be stacked with muscle or weight gainers to achieve your optimal workout results. At 50 caplets per bottle for $10.49, you will be hard pressed to find a better value out there Get the best price on Ultimate Nutrition Anti-Oxidant Today!

Is Creatine Safe?

Hopefully you have heard a lot about the benefits of Creatine (Monohydrate) which is one of the most used and recommended supplements in the health field. However, the question you may still have for yourself… “Is Creatine Safe?”

There is a lot of hype and misinformation about creatine, but this article will give you a quick overview of it’s safety and how it can benefit all of us when it comes to resistance and weight training.

Creatine Defined

You may be asking what Creatine is anyway? Well it’s a naturally occurring compound in our bodies which helps with our energy cycle by helping transport phosphate molecules to form ATP (also known as energy). It is formed in the kidney and liver from amino acids and is mostly stored in our muscles.

We obtain most of our Creatine from eating meats so vegetarians are generally found to lack Creatine in their muscles unless they are supplementing with it.

How Can Creatine Help Us?

The benefits of Creatine are pretty impressive, and it is one of the most tested supplements in the industry having a very long history of extensive testing through double blind studies (dating as far back as 1912!). So how can it help us anyway?

Well the studies show that Creatine supplementation can help boost maximum performance and especially power in high-intensity exercises. Instead of going deep into confusing scientific terms here the benefit shines by allowing us to push through one or more repetitions of an exercise, or go just a little faster and a little further in a maximum sprint situation.

The great thing about this is that pushing through one more rep is exactly what we need to increase muscle strength and size. And you know what goes hand-in-hand with increased muscle density…we also burn more calories at rest and the result is lower body fat percentages if we continue to improve each week.

Because of that mentioned above, I honestly believe that whether your male or female, if you’re looking to improve your performance and reduce body fat while increasing muscle mass then Creatine is without a doubt one of the most effective supplements in the market.

Are There Any Side Effects with Creatine Supplementation?

Long term studies show no adverse effects with Creatine supplementation. In fact, because of it’s nature, it is one of the only supplements that is not banned by any sport, even at the Olympic level!

Some individuals claim that Creatine causes a bloating feeling but this is actually a good thing. What is occurring here is that the Creatine is causing your muscles to store a little excess water to help with the transport of energy and nutrients to the muscles which not only helps with performance but also with muscle recovery.

How to Use Creatine Effectively

There are numerous varieties of Creatine in the market, but the key thing to remember is that Creatine in essence can only really do one thing…provide phosphates to ADP to form energy (ATP). You know your body best and can make an educated decision on what varieties work best for you, but it is scientifically proven that a loading phase is essential with Creatine (so your body adapts and stores the Creatine in muscle to use next time you exercise).

If you are taking Creatine Monohydrate in it’s raw form, then it takes about a week of supplementing with 20 grams a day for your muscles to really absorb and store enough to show performance enhancement. Then maintaining with 3-5 grams a day is the best way to go. After 2-3 months it is really important to remember to stop taking Creatine for at least 2 weeks in order to reset the response mechanism of your muscles.

Most Recommended Creatine Supplements

I’ve found two Creatine supplements to provide the most impressive results – Gaspari Nutrition SuperPump 250 and USLabs Jack3d.

If you’re looking for pure creatine monohydrate and want to save money then the top 3 are: Higher Power Micronized Creatine, Optimum Micronized Creatine Powder and AST Micronized Creatine.

Conclusion: Is Creatine Safe?

Without a doubt Creatine is one of the most effective and safest natural performance enhancing supplements in the market and is usually recommended for athletes of any sport. Increased muscle power, muscle size and definition are all benefits of Creatine by allowing you to push through that extra rep or two when you’re working with weights and this is what is essential to continue to provide you results as you train.

Whether you are male or female, blow past any kind of plateau and remember to concentrate on this extra strength when you are working out and I’m sure you’ll find Creatine to be a highly valuable natural supplement which will be part of your daily routine.

Have any feedback or questions about Creatine? Please leave a comment below..

What you need to know about Ultimate Nutrition Iso Mass Xtreme Gainer

Instead of just a single protein source, which many protein products use, Iso Mass Xtreme Gainer uses a more complete blend of protein to give you increased lean muscle mass and quicker muscle recovery time.

In addition to the protein provided, Iso Mass feeds your body seven types of creatine for muscle growth, 4 types of amino acids for quicker muscle recovery, a blend of vitamins and nutrients for additional mind and body functionality, fatty acids, nitric oxide precursors, and creatine precursors.

It truly is one of the most comprehensive weight gain products on the market.

Iso Mass Xtreme Gainer is for:

• Everyday gym goers trying to build lean muscle mass
• Anyone trying to gain healthy weight
• Professional bodybuilders

Ultimate Nutrition Iso Mass Xtreme Gainer is one of the most popular gainer products in the market because:

• It is a time-released product, allowing protein to continue feeding your muscles long after your workout is over
• Contains Glutamine, which enhances muscle recovery, growth, and increases your protein metabolism
• Provides a rich array of vitamins and nutrients which will increase your mental energy and focus, both pre and post-workout

As with all weight loss supplements, there are a few issues worth mentioning:

• Some people complain of a gritty and chemical aftertaste
• Powder does not mix easily – best used with a blender
• Some people find this product more effective as a post-workout supplement only

Some common misspellings include :

• Iso Masss Xtreme Gainer
• Ultimate Nutrition IsoMas Gainer
• Utlimate Mass Xtreme Gainter

The time release aspect of this supplement has proven very effective, and has received good feedback. There is some disagreement among users as to whether it should be taken both pre- and post-workout, or only post-workout. Ultimately your daily serving size depends on your own goals for muscle gain.

It’s a good idea to start off using this post-workout only, and if necessary you can use it as part of your pre-workout supplement routine as well. Get the best price on Ultimate Nutrition Iso Mass Xtreme Gainer Today!

What you need to know about Cellucor Muscle Growth System – Lean Muscle Kit

Cellucor Muscle Growth System – Lean Muscle Kit is a very unique and powerful muscle growth system that combines 3 supplements to help you increase lean muscle mass and decrease body fat.

Included in this system is N0, P6, and R3. Each supplement has a different purpose, and can be effective taken individually, but when stacked it creates a powerful muscle growth system.

N0 Extreme is a lean mass supplement to be taken pre-workout, P6 is a testosterone booster without any negative side effects, and R3 is a post-workout recovery tool that increases your resting metabolic rate and stops any potential catabolic break down.

This lean muscle kit is intended for anyone trying to:

• Create lean and cut muscle, not bulk
• Increase workout energy and endurance
• Speed up muscle recovery and increase your metabolic rate

Cellucor Muscle Growth System has been proven results:

• P6 increases testosterone by blocking estrogen and DHT side effects (such as acne)
• Helps increase lean muscle mass while shedding fat
• Blocks any catabolic muscle break down from happening – a common side effect of lean muscle workouts

Some people experience some minor side effects, including:

• Some have noticed increase in weight (mostly due to water retention)
• Abdominal cramping
• Increased gas

Some common misspellings include :

• Cellecor Muscle Growth System
• Leen Muscle Kit
• Muscle Growt System

This is one of the most popular supplement kits Cellucor produces, and the stack combination is as effective as any supplement combination you will find. This kit can be used to fill all of your supplement needs if you are looking to build lean muscle or just save cash. Get the best price on Cellucor Muscle Growth System Today!

What you need to know about Optimum Opti-Men

As a dietary supplement, Optimum Opti-Men contains a number of natural vitamins and minerals essential for good health, including Vitamin A, C, D, E, K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Folate, Folacin, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Magnesium, Copper, Manganese, Chromium, Molybdenum, and Vitamin B12.

There are no artificial flavors or chemicals in this blend, and it also contains mineral extracts Lycopene and Saw Palmetto, which promote good blood, bone, and teeth health.

Developed specifically the needs of a man’s body, it can be used by men any age and of any physical shape who wish to:

• Increase focus , energy, and memory power
• Decrease stress levels
• Increase the strength of bone, blood, and teeth

Optimum Opti-Men has an excellent assortment of essential vitamins including:

• High levels of Vitamin C boosts your immune & recovery system
• Promotes prostate health
• Vitamin E and Lutein helps increase heart and eye health

As with all weight loss supplements, there are a few issues worth mentioning:

• Needs to be kept in a cool and dry place to maintain the blend’s effectiveness
• The capsules are fairly large, can be difficult to swallow for some people
• Not the best smelling supplement!

Some common misspellings include :

• Optimum Opti-Men
• Optimum Opti-Men
• Optimum Opti-Men

With a number of nutritional benefits, this supplement will help men stay active, healthy, and energetic. For older men, the benefits for your prostate alone make it worth the price, and add that to the list of ingredients which will help you with energy and muscle repair on a daily basis and you have an essential supplement you should not go without. Get the best price on Optimum Opti-Men Today!

What you need to know about Ultimate Nutrition AdreNOline

AdreNOline is a formula designed to be used during your workout, giving you increased energy and focus. It contains 46 vitamins, nutrients, and scientifically designed blends, including: Glycomaze Complex, 3 g of Anabolic BCAA Complex, NO DyNOmite Complex, 100 Mg of caffeine, and Digestive Enzymes.

Providing you with the optimal 4:1 ratio of carbohydrate and protein, it is primarily designed to keep your muscles hydrated and increase your body’s natural muscle repair time. It also contains Gycomaze Complex, which is a new form of carbohydrates that passes through your system very quickly and moves protein and other supplements to your muscles faster than other carb complexes.

While it’s a good during-workout supplement for anyone, it is most effective for those who:

• Workout 3+ times per week
• Workout for long periods of time (i.e. Long distance runners)
• Regularly experience muscle soreness and want to recover quicker

AdreNOline has been proven to:

• Helps prevent catabolism
• Replenishes glycogen stores
• Aids with muscle repair and recovery time

As with all muscle building supplements, there are a few issues worth mentioning:

• The Orange Creamsicle flavor has received a lot of criticism, although mixability is good
• Contains a good amount of caffeine which may be a lot for those with caffeine sensitivity
• Not a great standalone energy booster – more effective at eliminating soreness

Some common misspellings include :

• Ultimate Nutrition AdreNOlin
• Ultimaet Nutrition AdreNOline
• Ultimate Nutriotn AdreNOline

Whether you are looking to bulk up or get cut, it’s a good product to eliminate muscle soreness and increase your lifts. The amount of caffeine is a little low, but the 9 complex blends give you a lot of value compared to other muscle hydrating and energy boosting supplements out there. Get the best price on Ultimate Nutrition AdreNOline Today!

What you need to know about Cellucor P6 Extreme

As a muscle growth and testosterone agent, P6 has proven to be very effective in increasing strength, power, and lean muscle mass.

Essentially it is a blend of testosterone compounds, and is widely considered one of the more androgenic and anabolic testosterone boosters every created.

It should be used pre-workout to enhance your athletic performance and boost testosterone levels. Reviewers have raved that it gives you an incredible boost of energy both during and post-workout.

As this is designed to increase testosterone levels, P6 is often used by elite athletes and body builders, and anyone who:

• Wants to counter a PH (pro hormone) to get your natural testosterone levels back to base line
• Is dieting or dealing with a calorie deficit
• Wants increased energy and focus both during and after workouts

P6 Extreme has been proven to:

• It helps elevate free testosterone levels
• If you are looking for a good post cycle therapy supplement or concerned with muscle loss
• P6 helps turn lethargic training sessions into focused and energetic ones

As with all weight loss supplements, there are a few issues worth mentioning:

• More effective for those over 25, as your natural testosterone levels start to lower
• Not really necessary for casual gym goers
• Best results when stacked with other recovery and lean mass products

Some common misspellings include :

• Cellecor P6 Extreme
• 6P Extreme
• P6 Exrteme

While it’s a great testosterone boosting product, it is generally most effective for anyone over 30 years old who is dieting or whose baseline test levels are declining. It can be good for younger athletes who are using P6 as a PCT or simply looking for a performance enhancer. Get the best price on Cellucor P6 Extreme Today!

What you need to know about Ultimate Nutrition Amino Gold

To ensure optimal health and athletic performance, proteins and amino acids are crucial. Amino Gold Tablets ensure that your muscle cells, tissues, and all vital organs are operating at their peak.

This supplement includes glycine, glutamine, BCAA’s, valine, isoleucine, leucine, as well as sulfur-containing amino acids methionine and cysteine. In addition to keeping you healthy, these amino acids are crucial for more effective workouts and muscle building. They also help normalize moods, focus, sleep, and sex drive.

Supplementary amino acids are effective for anyone who isn’t receiving a balanced diet of amino acids, including:

• Bodybuilders and Endurance Athletes
• Those who feel mentally fatigued and stressed
• People with protein allergies and deficiencies

Ultimate Nutrition Amino Gold has some very impressive qualities:

• Supplementary sulfur containing amino acids help prolong amino effectiveness
• Aids in liver detoxification and boosts liver health
• Replenishes amino acids depleted from intense workouts

As with all workout supplements, there are a few issues worth mentioning:

• Some people experience slight nausea when they begin using this supplement
• The tablets are fairly big and can be difficult to swallow
• Not a great supplement for those taking other BCAA supplements

Some common misspellings include :

• Ultimate Nutrition Amino Godl Capsules
• Amion Gold Caps
• Ultimate Nturition Amino Gold Capsules

The Amino Gold Tablets are great for fostering improved health and protein, but as a standalone supplement they won’t do much in terms of increasing muscle mass or strength. The supplement will improve your muscle recovery time, energy, and focus, but should definitely be stacked with other supplements if you are going for mass or cutting. Get the best price on Ultimate Nutrition Amino Gold Today!

What you need to know about XtremeNO – Nitric Oxide Booster

XtremeNO is a supplement for muscle and weight gain, developed to ensure high levels of nitric oxide (NO) to move oxygen to your muscles during intense workouts.

XtremeNO combines an advanced L-Arginine and nutrient delivery systems, delivering a perpetual release to give you extreme pumps after your workout is over.

L-Arginine is a crucial amino acid for the creation of nitric oxide, which causes blood vessels to dilate and improve muscle recovery time and increase your body’s exercise tolerance. It helps maintain your body’s natural immune system and prevents free radicals from damaging your muscles.

It is most effective for bodybuilders, or any serious weightlifter who wants:

• Faster muscle growth
• A day-long pump intense muscle pump
• Better muscle stamina and strength

XtremeNO has been proven to:

• Delivers more oxygen to your muscles for faster strength and muscle mass gains
• L-Arginine increases vasodilation and muscle healing
• Boosts your immune system to help fight off free radicals (scavenger cells), bacteria, and fungus

As with all muscle building supplements, there are a few issues worth mentioning:

• Your body will get used to NO, so it’s most effective in the first 8 weeks
• First time users may experience slight nausea
• The capsule itself is fairly big – might be hard to swallow for some people

Some common misspellings include :

• XteremeNO
• XtremeON
• ExtremeNO

Using XtremeNO for a full cycle (at least 8 weeks), will help you maintain a chiseled body and give you increased strength and endurance. L-Arginine is an crticial muscle building amino acid, and can be found in many other supplements, but the specialized nutrient delivery system provided in XtremeNO will give you day-long pumps, compared to other L-Arginine supplements which may only last a few hours. Get the best price on XtremeNO – Nitric Oxide Booster Today!