Sports Supplement Guide for Beginners

[red_bandit22]

I have a couple questions about supplements. I use to be very active in sports and worked on a farm, before enlisting in the military. I would weight 210-225 for football, then cut my weight back to 160-170 for wrestling. Now I am 235 and have lost some of my muscle size and strength. I am taking hydroxycut hardcore and t-tech to try to get my weight down and some size back. One of the gyms at the gym here said I should try the instone products. I wanted to see with is suppose to be better and if anyone can give me ideas on what supplements I should try to get my weight down and some size and strength back.

[Townklurds]

Coming from a "beginners" (been lifting less than a year) standpoint. I consider this to be a very informative article. This article would definitely be a beneficial read for those starting out. I'm thankful that I discovered this forum a few months back. I haven’t had to waste time and money just to find out what others on here already know doesn’t work. I'm a firm believer in sticking with the basics a good multi, whey and creatine.

[RiotGirl]

I thought it was a nice primer to supplements. The length and complexity of the article were both just right for a primer. I like that the information is broken down into recommended/iffy/not recommended. I also like having the literature citations for further reading on topics of more detailed interest to me.

I am wondering if any of the information originally cited has become obsolete? If I read correctly, this was written 2002, and am wondering if recent studies have changed any of your original thoughts.

[jadebellant]

I'd be curious about how current the info is as well - good primer. If it's current, then very useful.

[pogue]

I am wondering if any of the information originally cited has become obsolete? If I read correctly, this was written 2002, and am wondering if recent studies have changed any of your original thoughts.

The studies are current as far as I know. The studies I used are accessible through pubmed, so if there is a new study paid for by a mfg and it isn't released then I cannot determine the validity of it.

If there is anything in particular that anyone can find that shows an alternate viewpoint of mine, feel free to post it.

[sharingan]

Amazing article and very informative.
Keep up the good work, it is very helpful to people like me!

[Fit4OneLife]

Very informative article.
I got a question.
In the article it's mentioned that coral calcium could be potentialy dangerous due to possible presence of lead in it.
One of the popular multivitamin, NOW ADAM which has good reviews contains 160mg per serving(2 caps).
What are your thoughts about it guys?

[pogue]

Very informative article.
I got a question.
In the article it's mentioned that coral calcium could be potentialy dangerous due to possible presence of lead in it.
One of the popular multivitamin, NOW ADAM which has good reviews contains 160mg per serving(2 caps).
What are your thoughts about it guys?

I have heard that NOW's coral calcium has an extremely low level of lead in it. However, I cannot think of any amount of lead I would intentionally want to consume, so I would definitely recommend staying away from anything with coral calcium.

A better alternative I would recommend with similar ingredients would be Optimum Opti-Men

[luke1110]

My masterpiece of work which I have been working on for a year and has been censored in many places because of the content.

Sports Supplements Guide for Beginners

Please let me know if you see any spelling mistakes or errors and any feedback you have. Thanks.

As a semi-beginner myself, I have to say that I found this quite helpful. Of course there were some seemingly biased statements, but what does anyone expect? This is all business, but when it comes right down to it, the better products will win out in the end. Quality is always the best advertising.

[RavensFan2k3]

Alot of good information man, great website. I'm not even half way done reading it, but I aint stoppin

[Football_Lifter]

Quick question..can I drink creatine with a carbonated drink? Such as carbonated water.

[dunit111789]

hi i just recently bought gnc's creatine monohydrate. i am wondering if anyone has used it in the past and what their thoughts are on this product. this ist he first creatine product i have ever bought

[Faasnat]

As a semi-beginner myself, I have to say that I found this quite helpful. Of course there were some seemingly biased statements, but what does anyone expect? This is all business, but when it comes right down to it, the better products will win out in the end. Quality is always the best advertising.

I agree. I think it's a great write up for people starting out on supplements. Biased? Maybe....I think a lot of input was derived partly from personal experience though the basis was supposed to be on scientific research. But I think it's hard to keep that aspect out of things.

I think it's a good starting point and as people progress, they'll do their research (as I am trying) and stupid question asking (like I've done and probably will do again unwittingly) to expand on their supp list of to-take and not-to-take.

[Faasnat]

hi i just recently bought gnc's creatine monohydrate. i am wondering if anyone has used it in the past and what their thoughts are on this product. this ist he first creatine product i have ever bought

I think it should be good to use. Though people here may recommend you look into bulk monohydrate or something like that as the overall feeling is that GNC products may be on the pricier side.

Though, sometimes, you can't beat the convenience of going to a store and going home with a product rather than ordering online and waiting for it to come (though I will say that my order from BB.com arrived pretty quickly).

[liftingismylife]

If i eat roughly 2-3 servings of almonds a day and 1-2 servings of natty pb a day, should I still consume EFA's? or am I getting enough essential fats from almonds and pb?

On a side note, are CLA's or Citrimax effective?

-liftingismylife

[Wizry11]

pogue, you knock protein bars and RTD's (which i totally agree with) but looking at a select few like ISS Pro42 bars and ABB Mass Recovery drinks . . . . these two products seem to be a fair solution for a quick protien rich snack and a post workout shake substitute respectively.

Thoughts?

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/iss/pro42.html
link removed

[pogue]

pogue, you knock protein bars and RTD's (which i totally agree with) but looking at a select few like ISS Pro42 bars and ABB Mass Recovery drinks . . . . these two products seem to be a fair solution for a quick protien rich snack and a post workout shake substitute respectively.

Thoughts?

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/iss/pro42.html

One of the main three sources of protein are listed as "Hyrdolyzed Collagen", which as I wrote, is an empty source of protein added on to fool the consumer. So, this bar would be an example of one of the poorest choices one could make for a protein bar.

ABB Mass Recovery

As I stated, RTDs usually already denatured so it doesn't matter as to the quality of ingredients in them, what makes the difference is the environment they are stored and shipped in. Unless they are packed full of preservatives or kept cold through their lifespan, they are worthless.

[Hi Im Bobby]

This has been the link I have given to all my friends so far, who are trying either to start or get back into it, it's good stuff.

[steal5000]

HI GUYS I'M 42 YEARS GOT A FAMILY 17 YR OLD JUST STARTED COLLEGE AND ETC. GOING BACK TO MARTIAL ARTS TO COMPETE. I'VE BEEN OUT OF THE LOOP FOR AWHILE PLEASE TELL WHAT PROTEIN SHAKE TO GET AND WHATEVER I NEED, PLEASE!! THANKS STEAL5000-DVBLOVE@MSN.COM

[ChargerOn22s]

good read

[esquire415]

Very good read! The essential supplements for beginners: Whey Protein, Creatine, Multi-vitamin and EFA. That's all you need to build lean mass, no need to spend more money.

[Alfz]

Hmm ... I never knew glutamine was useless lol

[Reddogg]

One of the main three sources of protein are listed as "Hyrdolyzed Collagen", which as I wrote, is an empty source of protein added on to fool the consumer. So, this bar would be an example of one of the poorest choices one could make for a protein bar.



As I stated, RTDs usually already denatured so it doesn't matter as to the quality of ingredients in them, what makes the difference is the environment they are stored and shipped in. Unless they are packed full of preservatives or kept cold through their lifespan, they are worthless.

With all that being said pogue, is there anything that you can recommend at all for a healthy and worthwhile prepackaged snack/meal? The reason why I ask is because I am a college student with a schedule that requires me on some days to be in classes for over 5 hours with really no break except for walking to the next class. I ussually end up having to skip lunch, and I eat only before and after the stretch of classes. This totally screws the eating 6 small meals a day plan and everthing else with it. Any suggestions?

[pogue]

With all that being said pogue, is there anything that you can recommend at all for a healthy and worthwhile prepackaged snack/meal? The reason why I ask is because I am a college student with a schedule that requires me on some days to be in classes for over 5 hours with really no break except for walking to the next class. I ussually end up having to skip lunch, and I eat only before and after the stretch of classes. This totally screws the eating 6 small meals a day plan and everthing else with it. Any suggestions?

What do you have access to and what is allowed? Can you carry around an icepack lunchbox with some tuna and bread? Or a shaker bottle with some protein powder and water/milk? If not, then there are some decent protein bars that you can try - such as ones you make yourself. Other options would be stuff like trail mix, nuts, peanut butter, beef jerky (or turkey/ostrich - like Ostrim), yogurt/protein smoothies, and things like that. That's most of the stuff I can think of off the top of my head. College can be tough to fit in meals, I'm sure HS is harder. So, just be creative and think up some things. Normally a shaker bottle and some protein powder is a good choice.

[kagabo-7]

hi i have just started working out tbis week iand i got creatine im woundering if i also need to get protien for my creatine or work

[dog_jerry]

good info !!

[Big Kto]

Hey Guys,
i recently purchased pure arginine and was wondering the best time to take it for most effective gh boosts and how much, the only other thing i take is protein also, should i be using creatine for maximum effectiveness.

[MassD]

Understanding the benefits of suppliments, as i am no expert i cannot comment on the benefits or down sides of them.
advice i can give is that correct workout's and High protein food intake is the key to succses.
PS: personaly i think they are w wast of money, but if you want to try them its your (((((Money)))) ££££££££££ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Danny_xprs]

Suppliments are a good way to boost your progress but I personally count on simple nutrition planning rather than on different suppliments etc.

[mccracken21]

i play baseball....and i have about 2 1/2 months to gain the 10 pounds of muscle that i want to gain before our season starts.....anyone have ne supplement thoughts that could help me out?? i was thinkin about takin Xyience XNGF and animal max protein?? can i get some help.....thanx