Formutech Nutrition's BCAA supp is helping me to Perform!!!

[rdcopps]

First and foremost, a big thanks goes out to alecto42c and Formutech for giving me the opportunity to try out their BCAA supplement Perform



As I'm sure most are aware, BCAA's are an essential supplement for anyone who trains, especially with intensity. A lot of people in the bodybuilding industry believe that Amino Acids (including BCAA's) are more important in training than protein. BCAA's aid your body in preventing muscle breakdown during intense training, which translates into faster recovery between workouts and reduced DOMS. BCAA's also act as an energy source during your workouts. If someone has a low bodyfat level or is on a low carb diet, their body will need energy to get through their workout. If there is no glycogen to turn to, the body can use aminos found in your muscles as an energy source. If your body does that, you will find your workouts seem kind of flat. BCAA's can correct this. There are a lot more things BCAA's can do for you, but I'm no expert and anyone and I'm sure no one came here for a lesson! On to Perform and how it performs!

This supplement couldn't come at a better time for me. I ran out of my previous BCAA supplement about 2 weeks ago and have been looking for a new one to try. It must have been fate! I also just changed up routines. I had been using Dorian Yates' Blood & Guts routine for about 8 weeks, but have been reading up on some of the old-school bodybuilders and the routines they used. One that has intrigued is Vince Gironda. He was way ahead of his time, had an awesome physique and helped many future bodybuilders, including Arnold. Vince was an early adopter of HIT training. He advocated getting in to the gym, hitting your muscles hard and fast and getting out. Routines that lasted longer than 45 minutes were considered counterproductive. Most of his routines centered around 8 x 8 (8 sets, 8 reps) with minimal rest (30 seconds or less). He didn't care how much you could lift, only that you lifted correctly and that your body responded to the training.

I have been creating my own version of 8 x 8. This is my second week into it and after some adjustments to weights and exercises, I feel I've got a good routine going. It is probably different than what most people on here are doing, but I've never been one to follow the crowd! In the next post, I will review my first day on Perform as well as my workout today.

Thanks again to alecto42c and Formutech for the opportunity. I truly appreciate it.

[yakuzastyle]

[rdcopps]

Lol. Love it. The dude in the red pants looks like Ricky Morton from the Rock n Roll Express! Classic!

[Raigs]

in!!!!!!!!!!!1

[supermaz]

in on dis!!
Raigs beats me to everything!!!!

[mormonpickett]

BCAA's by Formutech>Protein

You're gonna love this stuff. Drink up get big

[Raigs]

in on dis!!
Raigs beats me to everything!!!!

...... Just going to be nice

[wishiwasdivin]

In for this bro...

[rdcopps]

In for this bro...

Always appreciated Big Man!

[wishiwasdivin]

Always appreciated Big Man!

Yeah I've not had the opportunity to try Formutech Nutrition yet. So i'm excited to see how well it works for you bro.

[rdcopps]

Ok, so 2 days in to Perform and I need to get everyone up to speed with my initial thoughts as well as my routine. First, I must confess that I am not much of a watermelon fan. I don't dislike the flavor, but it has never been high on my list for anything. With that being said, I have to admit that the melon flavored Perform I am using is quite good. The flavor seems to pop when you drink it. If anyone has a preference for watermelon flavored anything, they will definitely like Melon Perform. It kind of reminds me of watermelon flavored Hubba Bubba chewing gum. The main difference being that Perform doesn't lose it's flavor 20 seconds after taking it!

As far as mixability goes, the directions suggest mixing one scoop along with 8 oz of water. I ended up using about 16 oz. Even with doubling the suggested amount of water, the flavor was still solid. Personally, if I had only used 8 oz, the strength of the flavor may have been a bit much for me. I put it in my shaker and headed to the gym. Perform mixed very well and there was minimal residue once I was finished and opened up my shaker. Definite bonus points right there! Nothing ticks me off more than when a supplement doesn't mix well and half of it settles at the bottom of your glass or shaker. Then you have to keep adding water, mix, drink and repeat. Doesn't look like that will be the case here.

On to the workouts. I will post yesterday and todays workout, but going forward, I will log workouts separately. I am currently using an 8 x 8 workout loosely modeled after old school bodybuilder Vince Gironda. I am still tweaking it a bit, but feel I have a pretty solid routine down. My rests in between sets are timed at 30 seconds or less.

Yesterday, I hit chest and back. With this routine, the weight used is considerably less than what I am used to. However, with the minimal rest between sets, the weight feels pretty heavy. Also, I am only doing 2 exercises per muscle group. Quite honestly, I don't know how anyone would be able to do anymore than this.
For this routine, I did supersets of DB presses and DB pullovers for my first set and DB flyes and seated rows for my second set.

(After 2 warmup sets)

Set 1 - 65 x 8, 65 x 8 (decided not to rest and go right into Set 2, big mistake)
Set 2 - 65 x 8, 65 x 8
Set 3 - 65 x 8, 65 x 8
Set 4 - 65 x 8, 65 x 8 (at this point, I was felt my chest and lats getting fatigued)
Set 5 - 65 x 8, 65 x 8
Set 6 - 65 x 7, 65 x 8 (couldn't complete the 8th rep presses)
Set 7 - 65 x 7, 65 x 8
Set 8 - 65 x 8, 65 x 8 (not sure how I was able to get the 8th rep on presses)

Set 9 - 30 x8, 130 x 8
Set 10 - 30 x 8, 130 x 8
Set 11 - 30 x 8, 130 x 8
Set 12 - 30 x 8, 130 x 8
Set 13 - 30 x 8, 130 x 8
Set 14 - 30 x 8, 130 x 7 (back started to fade quickly at this point)
Set 15 - 30 x 8, 130 x 6
Set 16 - 30 x 8, 130 x 5

Both my back and chest were completely smoked at this point. The pump I had was not nearly what you might think. My chest and back were tired and drained. I was sweating more than a marathon runner! Both my back and chest felt full and strong. I was extremely pleased with the workout and I definitely felt stronger than I thought I would. I'm sure some of it was due to the fact that I was a bit pumped up to be using Perform for the first time. So, first day in and was very pleased with Perform and the workout. I will post my workout from today a bit later tonight.

[Raigs]

Thats awesome! Great initial review and your workouts look hard

[alecto42c]

get after it big guy, great intro!

[mormonpickett]

thanks for the initial review! glad ya like the taste. its my fav XD

[rdcopps]

Today's workout is probably the toughest workout that I do. The reason being that I hit shoulders, bi's and tri's. it's more mentally draining than anything else. Having to concentrate on 3 different muscle groups, keeping track of sets and reps and music blaring can present a challenge. But then again, I always like a challenge!

I mixed up my Perform put some ice in my shaker and headed to the gym. 10 minutes on the treadmill while starting to drink Perform and I was ready to go. For this routine, I hit bi's, tri's and then shoulders. Then I repeat with my second exercise for each. I don't think I mentioned before, but I stick with one weight for the entire 8 reps. Once I comp,eye 3 workouts with good form, them I increase the weight. If during the second workout with the same weight I feel like I should go heavier, I reduce my rest between sets instead.

Straight bar curl (20 sec rest between sets)
Set 1 - 35 x 8
Set 2 - 35 x 8
Set 3 - 35 x 8
Set 4 - 35 x 8
Set 5 - 35 x 8
Set 6 - 35 x 8
Set 7 - 35 x 8
Set 8 - 35 x 8 (last week I started struggling at set 6. Felt strong right out of the gate!)

DB kickbacks (30 seconds rest between sets)
Set 1 - 25 x 8
Set 2 - 25 x 8
Set 3 - 25 x 8
Set 4 - 25 x 8
Set 5 - 25 x 8
Set 6 - 25 x 8 (started to struggle to complete last couple with good form$
Set 7 - 25 x 6
Set 8 - 25 x 5 (should've probably went with 20's)

Side laterals
Set 1 - 25 x 8
Set 2 - 25 x 8
Set 3 - 25 x 8
Set 4 - 25 x 8
Set 5 - 25 x 8
Set 6 - 25 x 8
Set 7 - 25 x 8
Set 8 - 25 x 8 (surprised how string I felt)

Took a 2 minute rest before hitting round 2

Hammer curls (reduced rest to 20 seconds between sets)
Set 1 - 25 x 8
Set 2 - 25 x 8
Set 3 - 25 x 8
Set 4 - 25 x 8
Set 5 - 25 x 8
Set 6 - 25 x 8
Set 7 - 25 x 8 (left bi started to struggle, apparently that is my weaker arm!)
Set 8 - 25 x 8 (completed all sets with fairly strict form, but bi's were done after this)

Rope pulldowns (20 seconds rest between sets)
Set 1 - 70 x 8
Set 2 - 70 x 8
Set 3 - 70 x 8
Set 4 - 70 x 8
Set 5 - 70 x 8
Set 6 - 70 x 7 (tri's started to go!)
Set 7 - 70 x 6
Set 8 - 70 x 5 (put a fork in them, tri's were done!)

Bent over db rear laterals (20 seconds rest between sets)
Set 1 - 30 x 8
Set 2 - 30 x 8
Set 3 - 30 x 8
Set 4 - 30 x 8
Set 5 - 30 x 7
Set 6 - 30 x 5
Set 7 - 25 x 7 (dropped down in weight to complete the last 2 sets. Thought about a longer rest, but decided against it)
Set 8 - 25 x 8

This workout lasted about 50 minutes. It went a little bit longer than I would've liked, but I was very pleased with the results. My recovery for each set was noticeably better than before and my strength seemed to last deeper into each set. Seems as if Perform may already be showing its ability?!! Of course, it may also be that I'm still stoked to be using it and pushing myself harder than normal. Time will tell, but 2 days in and I'm liking what I'm seeing! Tomorrow I'll be driving across town to the other gym to hit legs. Can't wait!

[rdcopps]

thanks for the initial review! glad ya like the taste. its my fav XD

Never been a big melon fan, but this might have me reevaluating that! I can see where anyone who likes melon would love this!

[rdcopps]

get after it big guy, great intro!

Thanks a lot. I like where things are going!

[rdcopps]

Thats awesome! Great initial review and your workouts look hard

They're a lot different from what I'm used to! Change can definitely be good!

[mormonpickett]

with only 20-30 seconds inbetween sets you must have had a huge pump and your muscles musta been on fire!

[rdcopps]

with only 20-30 seconds inbetween sets you must have had a huge pump and your muscles musta been on fire!

There is a pump, but not as pronounced as you might expect. If you were to stay in the 12-15 rep range, your muscles would definitely be burning. Staying at 8 reps seems to hit the muscle fibers at a much deeper level. I can't do 20 seconds rest on the larger muscles (yet) but that's what I'll be working towards.

[wishiwasdivin]

Today's workout is probably the toughest workout that I do. The reason being that I hit shoulders, bi's and tri's. it's more mentally draining than anything else. Having to concentrate on 3 different muscle groups, keeping track of sets and reps and music blaring can present a challenge. But then again, I always like a challenge!

I mixed up my Perform put some ice in my shaker and headed to the gym. 10 minutes on the treadmill while starting to drink Perform and I was ready to go. For this routine, I hit bi's, tri's and then shoulders. Then I repeat with my second exercise for each. I don't think I mentioned before, but I stick with one weight for the entire 8 reps. Once I comp,eye 3 workouts with good form, them I increase the weight. If during the second workout with the same weight I feel like I should go heavier, I reduce my rest between sets instead.

Straight bar curl (20 sec rest between sets)
Set 1 - 35 x 8
Set 2 - 35 x 8
Set 3 - 35 x 8
Set 4 - 35 x 8
Set 5 - 35 x 8
Set 6 - 35 x 8
Set 7 - 35 x 8
Set 8 - 35 x 8 (last week I started struggling at set 6. Felt strong right out of the gate!)

DB kickbacks (30 seconds rest between sets)
Set 1 - 25 x 8
Set 2 - 25 x 8
Set 3 - 25 x 8
Set 4 - 25 x 8
Set 5 - 25 x 8
Set 6 - 25 x 8 (started to struggle to complete last couple with good form$
Set 7 - 25 x 6
Set 8 - 25 x 5 (should've probably went with 20's)

Side laterals
Set 1 - 25 x 8
Set 2 - 25 x 8
Set 3 - 25 x 8
Set 4 - 25 x 8
Set 5 - 25 x 8
Set 6 - 25 x 8
Set 7 - 25 x 8
Set 8 - 25 x 8 (surprised how string I felt)

Took a 2 minute rest before hitting round 2

Hammer curls (reduced rest to 20 seconds between sets)
Set 1 - 25 x 8
Set 2 - 25 x 8
Set 3 - 25 x 8
Set 4 - 25 x 8
Set 5 - 25 x 8
Set 6 - 25 x 8
Set 7 - 25 x 8 (left bi started to struggle, apparently that is my weaker arm!)
Set 8 - 25 x 8 (completed all sets with fairly strict form, but bi's were done after this)

Rope pulldowns (20 seconds rest between sets)
Set 1 - 70 x 8
Set 2 - 70 x 8
Set 3 - 70 x 8
Set 4 - 70 x 8
Set 5 - 70 x 8
Set 6 - 70 x 7 (tri's started to go!)
Set 7 - 70 x 6
Set 8 - 70 x 5 (put a fork in them, tri's were done!)

Bent over db rear laterals (20 seconds rest between sets)
Set 1 - 30 x 8
Set 2 - 30 x 8
Set 3 - 30 x 8
Set 4 - 30 x 8
Set 5 - 30 x 7
Set 6 - 30 x 5
Set 7 - 25 x 7 (dropped down in weight to complete the last 2 sets. Thought about a longer rest, but decided against it)
Set 8 - 25 x 8

This workout lasted about 50 minutes. It went a little bit longer than I would've liked, but I was very pleased with the results. My recovery for each set was noticeably better than before and my strength seemed to last deeper into each set. Seems as if Perform may already be showing its ability?!! Of course, it may also be that I'm still stoked to be using it and pushing myself harder than normal. Time will tell, but 2 days in and I'm liking what I'm seeing! Tomorrow I'll be driving across town to the other gym to hit legs. Can't wait!

Nice session bro..

[ODoyle99]

In! Let's see how 8 X 8 treats ya

[yakuzastyle]

In! Let's see how Perform treats ya

Fixed.

[rdcopps]

Fixed.

Lol. That's better!

[rdcopps]

Drove across town to the other Gold's Gym this morning to work legs. The have a Hack Squat machine there that the other Gold's doesn't. I didn't get a great night's sleep and was definitely feeling the last 2 days workouts. I set my phone up to record the Hack Squat portion of my workout, but need to review it in it's entirety before posting. And it's about 9 minutes long so I don't know if it would be worthwhile. Anyway, on to the workout.

10 minutes on the treadmill for a warmup

2 warmup sets with 1 & 2 plates for about 12-15 reps.

Hack Squats (with no plates loaded, the resistance is 54lbs. I used 3 plates a side for a total weight of 324 lbs)
30 seconds rest between sets

Set 1 - 324 x 8
Set 2 - 324 x 8
Set 3 - 324 x 8
Set 4 - 324 x 8
Set 5 - 324 x 8
Set 6 - 324 x 8 ( I was dying after this set and contemplated a longer rest or dropping weight. With 2 sets left, I decided to take off a plate on each side)
Set 7 - 234 x 8
Set 8 - 234 x 8

Like a dummy, I forgot to stretch out my lower back before starting with Hacks. At this point in the workout, my lower back was killing me and I knew it was going to cause problems when I got to SLDL.

2 minute rest

Leg Extensions

Set 1 - 130 x8
Set 2 - 130 x 8
Set 3 - 130 x 8
Set 4 - 130 x 8
Set 5 - 130 x 8
Set 6 - 130 x 8
Set 7 - 130 x 8 (Had to assist myself on the last 2 reps for this set and set 8)
Set 8 - 130 x 8

2 minute rest

SLDL

Set 1 - 225 x 8 (As stated earlier, my lower back was giving me problems and I knew I wouldn't make it through 8 sets)
Set 2 - 225 x 8
Set 3 - 225 x 8 (form was getting bad)
Set 4 - 225 x 5 (at this point I just reracked the weight and moved on to lying leg curls. No sense in hurting myself)

2 minute rest

Lying Leg Curls

Set 1 - 110 x 8
Set 2 - 110 x 8
Set 3 - 110 x 8
Set 4 - 110 x 8
Set 5 - 110 x 8
Set 6 - 110 x 6 (don't know what happened here)
Set 7 - 110 x 8
Set 8 - 110 x 8

2 minute rest

Calve Extensions (high reps. try to stay in the 20-30 range, 5 sets)
1 minute rest between sets

Set 1 - 130 x 30
Set 2 - 130 x 25
Set 3 - 130 x 22
Set 4 - 130 x 20
Set 5 - 130 x 17

After I was finished, I did stretch out my lower back like I should've before I started the workout! Hopefully it will help me in the morning. I wasn't happy with this workout, but I'm not going to dwell on it either. Of course, I had Perform with me and drank it throughout the workout. I will probably have to start doubling up on it as I finished it all well before I got to calves. I might have to take 2 shakers into the gym. I might also change up the order of my workouts. It would probably be best to do legs earlier in the week as opposed to later. It's always a work in progress.

[ODoyle99]

In! Let's see how 8 X 8 + (and more importantly) Perform treats ya

Fixed.

Fixed again Good compromise as I'm interested in both haha

[supermaz]

good leg work. i hate dropping weight. but you still need to get the reps out.

[wishiwasdivin]

Drove across town to the other Gold's Gym this morning to work legs. The have a Hack Squat machine there that the other Gold's doesn't. I didn't get a great night's sleep and was definitely feeling the last 2 days workouts. I set my phone up to record the Hack Squat portion of my workout, but need to review it in it's entirety before posting. And it's about 9 minutes long so I don't know if it would be worthwhile. Anyway, on to the workout.

10 minutes on the treadmill for a warmup

2 warmup sets with 1 & 2 plates for about 12-15 reps.

Hack Squats (with no plates loaded, the resistance is 54lbs. I used 3 plates a side for a total weight of 324 lbs)
30 seconds rest between sets

Set 1 - 324 x 8
Set 2 - 324 x 8
Set 3 - 324 x 8
Set 4 - 324 x 8
Set 5 - 324 x 8
Set 6 - 324 x 8 ( I was dying after this set and contemplated a longer rest or dropping weight. With 2 sets left, I decided to take off a plate on each side)
Set 7 - 234 x 8
Set 8 - 234 x 8

Like a dummy, I forgot to stretch out my lower back before starting with Hacks. At this point in the workout, my lower back was killing me and I knew it was going to cause problems when I got to SLDL.

2 minute rest

Leg Extensions

Set 1 - 130 x8
Set 2 - 130 x 8
Set 3 - 130 x 8
Set 4 - 130 x 8
Set 5 - 130 x 8
Set 6 - 130 x 8
Set 7 - 130 x 8 (Had to assist myself on the last 2 reps for this set and set 8)
Set 8 - 130 x 8

2 minute rest

SLDL

Set 1 - 225 x 8 (As stated earlier, my lower back was giving me problems and I knew I wouldn't make it through 8 sets)
Set 2 - 225 x 8
Set 3 - 225 x 8 (form was getting bad)
Set 4 - 225 x 5 (at this point I just reracked the weight and moved on to lying leg curls. No sense in hurting myself)

2 minute rest

Lying Leg Curls

Set 1 - 110 x 8
Set 2 - 110 x 8
Set 3 - 110 x 8
Set 4 - 110 x 8
Set 5 - 110 x 8
Set 6 - 110 x 6 (don't know what happened here)
Set 7 - 110 x 8
Set 8 - 110 x 8

2 minute rest

Calve Extensions (high reps. try to stay in the 20-30 range, 5 sets)
1 minute rest between sets

Set 1 - 130 x 30
Set 2 - 130 x 25
Set 3 - 130 x 22
Set 4 - 130 x 20
Set 5 - 130 x 17

After I was finished, I did stretch out my lower back like I should've before I started the workout! Hopefully it will help me in the morning. I wasn't happy with this workout, but I'm not going to dwell on it either. Of course, I had Perform with me and drank it throughout the workout. I will probably have to start doubling up on it as I finished it all well before I got to calves. I might have to take 2 shakers into the gym. I might also change up the order of my workouts. It would probably be best to do legs earlier in the week as opposed to later. It's always a work in progress.

Nice session bro. Log looks good.

[rdcopps]

good leg work. i hate dropping weight. but you still need to get the reps out.

That's kind of what I thought. Thought about a longer rest period, but I want to force my body to adjust to the pace.

[rdcopps]

Nice session bro. Log looks good.

Thanks Big Man. Always appreciate you stopping by.