How effective are BCAAs for working out?

[CoderKraken]

So to kind of boast I just got these for free:
4x 20 serving Cellucor C4 Ultimate Pre-Workout
2x 20 serving Cellucor Alpha Amino Ultimate
2x 5lb/72serv. Molten Chocolate Whey Protein

Anyway, I'm wondering, would those Amino Acids do anything? I have Cross Country in the fall so I may save it until then as it could help a lot there, but I wonder if it could help actually using it mid-workout.

Anyone have opinions, reviews, thoughts?

[Farley1324]

Don't spend money on bcaa

There's no good reason to use bcaa for cross country either.


Also

https://mauiathletics.com/free-form-...e-of-research/

[BenMcLeodNZ]

I reckon they work to reduce tiredness the next day. Also make you less hungry if you have a long session on an empty stomach. They are loaded with artificial flavors and sweeteners because leucine in particular tastes horrible.

[Farley1324]

I reckon they work to reduce tiredness the next day. Also make you less hungry if you have a long session on an empty stomach. They are loaded with artificial flavors and sweeteners because leucine in particular tastes horrible.

How and why do you reckon they reduce tiredness?

If you want to avoid hunger, eat enough food throughout the day and a pre workout meal with carbs a couple or few hours prior (by preference), and/or consume carbohydrates intra workout.

[BenMcLeodNZ]

How and why do you reckon they reduce tiredness?

If you want to avoid hunger, eat enough food throughout the day and a pre workout meal with carbs a couple or few hours prior (by preference), and/or consume carbohydrates intra workout.

I actually read that whole article you posted which was interesting and I have been thinking about it. I might try going off them in a few months when the weather cools here and I don't drink so much working out.

I have experimented a few times and consistently found they made me feel better (I know this sounds idiotic and just placebo effect), both in stopping me hitting the wall during exercise, and how I feel the next day. I have tried carbs intra workout both in food and liquid form and I find they make me feel sick, as does whey protein.

Also I switched to EAA once and thought they were no good.

Another thing I should mention is I use BCAA supplements that also have electrolytes in them which probably adds to the effect a lot.

I do eat 1-2 hours before a workout but it is a bit of a balancing act that I feel BCAA's can smooth out.

[danielmoo]

Very ineffective. Cellucor's Alpha Amino does have some other worthwhile ingredients such as betaine (take two scoops for efficacious dose) and electrolytes, but BCAAs in general don't help with working out.

[CommitmentRulz]

OP, at least you got them for free: You paid pretty much what they are worth.

[stad0203]

Benefits for your cross country are the Creatine HCL and increased hydration blend.

*If this is for highschool cross country, I would also recommend waiting to you use supplements until you are 18+ years old.

[TheFugitive]

OP, the only way to determine if BCAAs are beneficial is by using them

[powercage]

I actually read that whole article you posted which was interesting and I have been thinking about it. I might try going off them in a few months when the weather cools here and I don't drink so much working out.

I have experimented a few times and consistently found they made me feel better (I know this sounds idiotic and just placebo effect), both in stopping me hitting the wall during exercise, and how I feel the next day. I have tried carbs intra workout both in food and liquid form and I find they make me feel sick, as does whey protein.

Also I switched to EAA once and thought they were no good.

Another thing I should mention is I use BCAA supplements that also have electrolytes in them which probably adds to the effect a lot.

I do eat 1-2 hours before a workout but it is a bit of a balancing act that I feel BCAA's can smooth out.

electrolytes wont make a difference for resistance training unless you are doing it in the blazing heat. Electrolytes can help for cross country. A gatorade would be a good investment for the carbs and electrolytes.

Creatine mono and Creatine HCl have equal effectiveness.


Ditch the BCAAs

[TheUnderdog83]

I don’t know why carbs would make you feel sick during a workout as long as it is a small snack. If I’m needing a little boost during a workout I typically eat a banana.

[truthhurts]

no proven benefit to them

you'll hear some anecdotal accounts from some bro's but chances are they're getting some form of placebo effect from BELIEVING that they are of benefit to them.


oh....they'll at least make your water taste nice if you like the flavour..

[TheFugitive]

electrolytes wont make a difference for resistance training unless you are doing it in the blazing heat. Electrolytes can help for cross country. A gatorade would be a good investment for the carbs and electrolytes.

Creatine mono and Creatine HCl have equal effectiveness.


Ditch the BCAAs

Creatine Mono and Creatine HCl are equally effective because they're both creatine?

Also, I respond horribly to CM due to the GI distress it causes me

[powercage]

Creatine Mono and Creatine HCl are equally effective because they're both creatine?

correct, the creatine molecule is what exerts effect (what ultimately raises PCr stores). Monohydrate already saturates effectively. HCl is not inferior in performance benefits, it is equal in performance benefits (and the amount you have to take).

HCl could potentially help those with GI distress, it could make reflux worse.

[BenMcLeodNZ]

I don’t know why carbs would make you feel sick during a workout as long as it is a small snack. If I’m needing a little boost during a workout I typically eat a banana.

Not real sick, but gives a bloated feeling and sometimes throw up in the back of my mouth etc.

[TheFugitive]

correct, the creatine molecule is what exerts effect (what ultimately raises PCr stores). Monohydrate already saturates effectively. HCl is not inferior in performance benefits, it is equal in performance benefits (and the amount you have to take).

HCl could potentially help those with GI distress, it could make reflux worse.

That was a trick question I've been saying this for years, a creatine load is a creatine load no matter what form it is

The same should apply to CEE?

[powercage]

That was a trick question I've been saying this for years, a creatine load is a creatine load no matter what form it is

The same should apply to CEE?

Logically, I understand the thought pattern here. However, there is a difference with how the creatine molecule splits off from the ethyl ester. That’s why there is decreased uptake and less effectiveness.

This issue doesn’t appear to happen with any other form of creatine. Dissociation and uptake is complete with all other forms.

I’d always recommend micronized mono first. If I had GI distress, my first choice would be magnesium creatine chelate, then I would try HCl. But either of those are worthwhile forms since they technically will work.

My only issue with HCl is the marketing, they can’t say you can take less since that has never been shown nor is there any reason you should be able to. And there is a very slim chance there could be some increased benefit to it over mono. Note: very slim. But if that comes out in the future I will change my tune.

[pu12en12g]

If you train hard, you will notice a difference with BCAA/ Leucine. A hard workout is when you are drenched in sweat and almost puking.

[Pianoist101]

How and why do you reckon they reduce tiredness?

If you want to avoid hunger, eat enough food throughout the day and a pre workout meal with carbs a couple or few hours prior (by preference), and/or consume carbohydrates intra workout.

Came here to say this. Listen to this advice dude. The supplement brands make out like BCAAs are some kind of energy supplement. You don't have to use them for very long to figure out that this is total BS.

[LoudyRowdy]

If you train hard, you will notice a difference with BCAA/ Leucine. A hard workout is when you are drenched in sweat and almost puking.

Hmmmm....That’s pretty much what Fug been saying

[Farley1324]

If you train hard, you will notice a difference with BCAA/ Leucine. A hard workout is when you are drenched in sweat and almost puking.

So aminos and leucine are for cardio days?

[TheFugitive]

So aminos and leucine are for cardio days?

Home gyms don't qualify

[COUNTRYMIKE]

Don't spend money on bcaa

There's no good reason to use bcaa for cross country either.

He got them for free....

[LoudyRowdy]

He got them for free....

Good to see you with the gloves off

[Farley1324]

He got them for free....

Responses are generally not only for the OP, but anybody else who reads the thread.

I believe my link answered his other questions as well.

[COUNTRYMIKE]

Good to see you with the gloves off

Farley bout to get these hands

[COUNTRYMIKE]

Responses are generally not only for the OP, but anybody else who reads the thread.

I believe my link answered his other questions as well.

What link? Can you re post it?

[Farley1324]

What link? Can you re post it?

Probably in another aminos thread in, oh, 3.5 hours lol

[OT2000]

There isn’t anyone on here working out until they puke.

That **** sounded like a Jacob Wilson study

[lucia316]

So aminos and leucine are for cardio days?

Or if you workout in a sauna. Last I checked, sweating had to do with how hot it is not how hard you're working necessarily.