Should I bother snagging a BCAA supp?

[FitAmbition90]

So I have never taken a BCAA supplement, but I know there are added BCAAs in my protein supplements. Should I also have a standalone BCAA to take on the morning before fasted cardio? The training session typically lasts about 1.5 hours...

Or is it enough that I take a protein after the workout that contains BCAAs?

[ebunch12]

Actually using BCAAs for fasted cardio can be beneficial. I only use them for fasted cardio/training

[rhadam]

So I have never taken a BCAA supplement, but I know there are added BCAAs in my protein supplements. Should I also have a standalone BCAA to take on the morning before fasted cardio? The training session typically lasts about 1.5 hours...

Or is it enough that I take a protein after the workout that contains BCAAs?

All proteins contain amino acids. You may think you're training fasted, but really you're not. You're simply training without eating a pre workout meal, that does not automatically mean you're "fasted."

If you need energy for your workout, BCAAs can be helpful. However, not including BCAAs does not mean you'll catabolize muscle or inhibit fat loss. Your body is interested in the total daily balance of protein, not protein timing. Yes, i said it right, the body is not too concerned with protein immediately post workout. If you're ingesting plenty of protein during the day, you don't need BCAA supplementation. If you are lagging in your workouts then yes, consider BCAAs which will be instant fuel for the body.

[vladpower]

What's your goal OP? I find that bcaa's help me recover a day quicker from intense workouts regardless of how much protein I ingest in a day. If you're recovering fine in between hitting body parts I'd say you're fine.

[JohnSmeton]

bcaa's can only help as they are the three amino acids that stimulate muscle growth found in all proteins (lean beef, fish, eggs, chicken, whey protein)

they are isolated so they take out the other aminos and you have low calorie aminos that stimulate muscle growth

imo they are very benefical

see my sig, pm with with your name address city state and zip and ill send you free samples, including two different flavors of bcaa's(recoverpro)

[ericdose]

All proteins contain amino acids. You may think you're training fasted, but really you're not. You're simply training without eating a pre workout meal, that does not automatically mean you're "fasted."

If you need energy for your workout, BCAAs can be helpful. However, not including BCAAs does not mean you'll catabolize muscle or inhibit fat loss. Your body is interested in the total daily balance of protein, not protein timing. Yes, i said it right, the body is not too concerned with protein immediately post workout. If you're ingesting plenty of protein during the day, you don't need BCAA supplementation. If you are lagging in your workouts then yes, consider BCAAs which will be instant fuel for the body.

All of the above is correct. You don't need BCAAs but they are beneficial if you have the extra money.

[djansen]

have seen some positive data on them but never noticed anything while taking them myself.

[joeyddi]

have seen some positive data on them but never noticed anything while taking them myself.

same here. i used to take BCAA's alone and never got much from them until whey came along. Now my BCAA's come along with the Whey of which I think works wonders. I have no idea if the BCAA's are added to the Whey or if they just occur naturally in it. Never really bothered to check. Just love Whey Protein

[RyderHerHard]

an hour and a half of cardio? seems like major over kill, switch it up to HIIT, better results in half the time.

[BetterThanLife]

same here. i used to take BCAA's alone and never got much from them until whey came along. Now my BCAA's come along with the Whey of which I think works wonders. I have no idea if the BCAA's are added to the Whey or if they just occur naturally in it. Never really bothered to check. Just love Whey Protein

Amino acids occur naturally in all protein, including the food you eat. If grocery items listed an amino acid profile, you'd probably be a lot less impressed by your whey. Protein powder is not a magic potion; it's just protein in powdered form. I love it as well, but don't think it is something more than what it is.

[rhadam]

same here. i used to take BCAA's alone and never got much from them until whey came along. Now my BCAA's come along with the Whey of which I think works wonders. I have no idea if the BCAA's are added to the Whey or if they just occur naturally in it. Never really bothered to check. Just love Whey Protein

????? All proteins contain amino acids... it's what they're made of...

[hockeyman224]

I like to take them before a big meal like dinner or at 930. I feel like they help soreness and doms from a hard workout.

[Valhallabound86]

So I have never taken a BCAA supplement, but I know there are added BCAAs in my protein supplements. Should I also have a standalone BCAA to take on the morning before fasted cardio? The training session typically lasts about 1.5 hours...

Or is it enough that I take a protein after the workout that contains BCAAs?

If you're doing the workout prior to breaking your fast in the morning, then it may be beneficial. As rhadam stated, they're far from necessary, but in fasted state they will work better than being in a "fed" state. The muscle protein synthesis effect from BCAA supplementation is not as high as whole food protein intake, but it does occur.

Long story short: If you have the cash, sure. If not, don't worry about it.

[RatherBeLifting]

I think BCAA's are great when you are in a caloric deficient diet, they really help you to maintain strength and muscle mass while you lose fat.

[StrongRepublican]

All proteins contain amino acids. You may think you're training fasted, but really you're not. You're simply training without eating a pre workout meal, that does not automatically mean you're "fasted."

If you need energy for your workout, BCAAs can be helpful. However, not including BCAAs does not mean you'll catabolize muscle or inhibit fat loss. Your body is interested in the total daily balance of protein, not protein timing. Yes, i said it right, the body is not too concerned with protein immediately post workout. If you're ingesting plenty of protein during the day, you don't need BCAA supplementation. If you are lagging in your workouts then yes, consider BCAAs which will be instant fuel for the body.

Pretty much sums it up.

Your "fasted" state is up for interpretation depending on how long it's actually been since you ingest food. I.E. if your last meal was at 11pm and you're doing cardio at 4am, you simply are not fasted. If you've been without caloric intake for 16 hours or more, than sure.

[triplewhammy]

Yes you should bother.

[E_P_C]

If you are doing IF then yes BCAA's for your fasted cardio would be beneficial

[Big_Spaz]

Yes you should bother.

Completely agree. I never train without BCAA's.





-Spaz