Too many supplements...

[NorthernBuilder]

I see people sucking back so many supplements that it makes me wonder how they can afford it and also where do you have the space to put all this stuff plus 5 or 7 meals. Another thing I notice is the bodybuilders that have been working out for quite some time, have well developed bodies seem to take way less than the novice. Last week at the place I buy my whey, i saw a guy there that had half the counter full of stuff, probably had $500 or better sitting there. I take supplements too. Iso whey, creatine, glutamine, alpha lapoic acid, vitamin c and hemp seed oil. That list sounds like its almost too long for myself. So my question is... how effective or redundant is taking all this stuff? Is it necessary? I know some people will swear by a product and somewhat push it on other people. Only problem with that is we're all built differently, have different metabolisms and the list goes on and on. Opinions? Discuss.......

[ricekiller]

trial and error

you try a supp you notice gains you continue to take that supp.

i take

animal pump
animal flex
x-factor
whey protein
opti-men multi
glutamine
and thats all pretty succesful for me

[SavageOne]

In terms of myself, I spent a lot when I first discovered supplements, though I wasn't new to lifting at the time. I think that, for a lot of people, it's exciting to have all the supplements that do a variety of different things. As I've progressed, the number of products that I use has gone down quite a bit. I'm pretty happy with that too.

Overall, I think it depends on your goals and also has a lot to do with experimentation.

[aer_vlad]

I think it supplements do play a large roll in the placebo effect. Once you've convinced yourself that "Product A" is giving me results,then your more likely to keep taking it.

On top of that, I believe, supplements play a large roll in motivation. If you've got all these protien jugs sitting on your shelf, well, your gonna lift to get big.

I guess it's kind of a skewed disposition on reality (if the supplements really do make them bigger).

And then some people think supplements can replace their diet - when it's the exact oppisite.

[AConrad00]

a lot of those products arent for bodybuilders especially, but rather overall health supplements (ALA, fishoil, hemp oil)

what you could do is find products that have more than 1 supplement and use those. Voluplex is both creatine and beta alanine. ABC is citruline malate, aminos and beta alanine, ect

[NorthernBuilder]

Well Im under the impression that alot of supplements say alot of things that maybe they shouldnt, like so for an example..

"this is absolutely the best **** on the market with this much *** in it to aid whatever and so many grams of "this" to help it perform its bull**** magic"

Like they'll claim to have an extra substence and it is in there, but really, not enough to make a difference. Lets say there's 0.5gm glutamine in it, thats not really enough to be beneficial but they make it sound like it is. Im not saying the 0.5gm is no good at all, but when you need 5 gms as a regular dose, it's not doing much.

I built muscle before without anything at all, even my diet was ass backward. But i built and got very strong. Im sure supplements would have helped. I believe in them as I said, i take them religously, but when is enough, enough?

[pokerhard16]

Originally Posted by SavageOne

In terms of myself, I spent a lot when I first discovered supplements, though I wasn't new to lifting at the time. I think that, for a lot of people, it's exciting to have all the supplements that do a variety of different things. As I've progressed, the number of products that I use has gone down quite a bit. I'm pretty happy with that too.

Overall, I think it depends on your goals and also has a lot to do with experimentation.

I don't think you could be more right.

[user23960508710788]

I think it's pretty ridiculous, I know plenty of pretty well developed guys who take nothing more than a multi-vitamin. I also see plenty of scrawny guys on these boards spending $100+ a month on supplements.

When it's said and done, you can do just fine without them. Even with the NO2 enhancers that people report "oh man I was so pumped, I just looked insane"... well no not really, you FEEL pumped, you really don't look all that different to anyone else. It IS a pretty addicting feeling though, which keeps people buying more and more. The reality is though that most people can't tell a person on and off supplements by looking at them, they have almost no noticeable effects.

[yCat]

i am guilty of trying a lot of supplements

the mentality for me is finding supps that will help me progress at a faster rate than i would naturally.

At the end of the day, i know that it is a very long process, and im only going to notice huge differences in physique as time progresses.

i think in 2-3 years time i will look back and ask "Did that (insert product) cycle that i spent (amount $) on make a huge difference in how i look now?" and most likely answer no.

my way of thinking kind of contradicts itself. But in the end bodybuilding for me is a hobby and dropping some cash here and there on something i enjoy that may make it even more fun for me is acceptable.

[ronnie0072]

i saw crazy results on suston 250 only cycle...just sayin

[aer_vlad]

Originally Posted by yCat

i am guilty of trying a lot of supplements

the mentality for me is finding supps that will help me progress at a faster rate than i would naturally.

At the end of the day, i know that it is a very long process, and im only going to notice huge differences in physique as time progresses.

i think in 2-3 years time i will look back and ask "Did that (insert product) cycle that i spent (amount $) on make a huge difference in how i look now?" and most likely answer no.

my way of thinking kind of contradicts itself. But in the end bodybuilding for me is a hobby and dropping some cash here and there on something i enjoy that may make it even more fun for me is acceptable.

Yup. That goes for me too.