BCAA supplement yes or no?

[vgaldo123]

Currently take xtend but it is pricey and I'm a college student. Should I even worry about taking xtend? Currently cutting atm as well. Opinions please!

[powercage]

Its especially beneficial on a cut

[KReyn]

I'd stick with the BCAA's but if you're trying to ball on a budget check out Aminocore.

[vgaldo123]

I'd stick with the BCAA's but if you're trying to ball on a budget check out Aminocore.

If I take Aminocore would I be sipping it pre-workout and intra-workout?

[KReyn]

If I take Aminocore would I be sipping it pre-workout and intra-workout?

I just drink it intra-workout. If you do go with it Caribbean Splash was just ok, Blue Razz is tits though.

[or_yourlivingtodie]

if you're on a budget, id say just go ahead and drop it.


BCAA's are pretty much only worth using if you are training fasted.....otherwise, spend that money on food for the dorm room

[vgaldo123]

I just drink it intra-workout. If you do go with it Caribbean Splash was just ok, Blue Razz is tits though.

Gonna give 400g blue razz a try. Repped.

[My_Legacy]

Not at all in my opinion! You already get plenty of amino acids through various protein sources alone!

[Heluva]

BCAA's are pretty much only worth using if you are training fasted.....

or bored of drinking plain water (like me )

[or_yourlivingtodie]

or bored of drinking plain water (like me )

[LewisSmith1992]

Xtend makes me feel sick when I drink it Intra-Workout so I'm just using my tub when I'm bored of plain water, however I probably wont buy it again once it runs out.

[jamesovercome]

You don't need any of that unless you're cutting or have serious issues in your diet. You get plenty of BCAA's from food and your protein shake.

[MikeNice81]

Atomic 7 works well to help me with recovery. If I take it pre with a cup of coffee I notice much more endurance. A cheap combo of Atomic 7 Black Cherry Bomb ($18.99 if you look) and creatine mono makes for a great pre/intra. Might be able to work it out cheaper than Xtend. If buch is real tight just pick up some cheap whole food with protein.

Whole eggs and reduced sodium ham will give you a good shot of protein and keep you full for a while.

[wakingmalice]

The science answer right now is "maybe". I think having a diet proficient in protein is probably enough for the average gym athlete, though.

[coloBB]

BCAA's are some of the most beneficial supps IMO... But if I were a broke college student I would opt to spend that money on food. But if you can budget money for supps, BCAA's would be the first on that list.

N'Gage, Xtend, Purple Wraath <---- all great products

[jaimeruiz99]

As a CNS-recuperative aid? Yes. The depletion of glutamate intraworkout and to some extent, post-workout is counterproductive from a cognitive perspective. The neurotransmitter is implicated in NMDA receptor functioning. Hypo-NMDA activity is implicated in memory issues.

It WILL NOT, replace whole amino acid containing protein forms however. Most BCAA supplements lack the complete family of amino acids which would bring about the synthesis of protein.

[Ptrulli]

As a CNS-recuperative aid? Yes. The depletion of glutamate intraworkout and to some extent, post-workout is counterproductive from a cognitive perspective. The neurotransmitter is implicated in NMDA receptor functioning. Hypo-NMDA activity is implicated in memory issues.

It WILL NOT, replace whole amino acid containing protein forms however. Most BCAA supplements lack the complete family of amino acids which would bring about the synthesis of protein.

Ummm ya what he said lol
But seriously I use them, maybe it's just a placebo, and I train fasted but I just feel better taking them compared to not.
Do they actually work.. Tough question 2 answer. But IMO yes

[Heluva]

xtend 90 servings on uk ebay cheapest 44gbp.
Mio Water Enhancer on uk ebay: 12 servings = 5 gbp. 90 / 12 = 7.5 x 5 = 37.5gbp for 90 servings.
Difference is 6.5gbp
The question is: Is xtend worth that extra 6.5gbp over Mio ?

[Valhallabound86]

They're far from necessary, but I enjoy adding them into my routine. If I was on a strict budget, it would probably be one of the first supplements to go.

[Patrick999]

So many differing opinions on these, I train fasted but others that do some say take it some say don't.

[Valhallabound86]

So many differing opinions on these, I train fasted but others that do some say take it some say don't.

They're more beneficial in a fasted state, but most individuals are not reaching catabolism during a fast to label them as a "necessary" supplement. The real issue is when people consider them necessary in everyday training routines. They're not going to hurt you at all, and there are certain aspects to training routines that make them more effective (IF dieting, fasted training, etc) that will enhance their effect. But you shouldn't go out of your way to spend a bunch of money on them if your protein intake is high and your budget is low.

[vgaldo123]

Thanks for all the insights! Isn't there 4 cal/g in BCAAs?

[vgaldo123]

This.

[Big_Spaz]

BCAA's are probably my #1 "must have" supplement.


I personally swear by them.





-Spaz

[G Diesel]

I mix them with my water intra and then have EAAs and extra leucine with whey, carbs and creatine post.

I use Atomic 7 for my BCAAs.

Peace, G

[Blacklac]

The science answer right now is "maybe". I think having a diet proficient in protein is probably enough for the average gym athlete, though.

I assume you read studies about this then. Are they supplementing the BCAA's Pre or Intra? It seems like Pre is actually a better use for them, but IDK.

[MikeNice81]

I assume you read studies about this then. Are they supplementing the BCAA's Pre or Intra? It seems like Pre is actually a better use for them, but IDK.

The studies I have seen suggest that pre training they can help with endurance. That has also been my experience when working out on a lower calorie intake.

I have also read that in at least one study they were shown to aid in quicker recovery when taken post workout. They were shown to reduce the number of certain chemical markers that signal stress and muscle break down. Another study showed no reduction, but a faster decrease in DOMS was reported by participants.

[Blacklac]

Ah, I always forget about post because I always either have a Whey shake or eat shortly after a workout. My main concern with them would be, helping prevent muscle loss during weightlifting or when I jog fasted in the morning (while cutting). As far as the weightlifting scenario, I typically eat 3-4hrs prior (30-50g protein, 80-100g carbs), I would think that would carry over to prevent muscle loss during a workout, but I dont really know. I should try and reread that study I saw about muscle loss during a workout BCAA vs none. Can't remember what the diets were like it meal times.

Of course, while I bulk, I wouldn't be concerned. No fasted jogging and I usually have a bowl of oatmeal and a shake ~1hr preworkout.

[BroKnowsFit]

BCAA should remain a staple for you even if you are on a budget. Tons of products out there that are very reasonably priced.

[DASBUNKER]

Currently take xtend but it is pricey and I'm a college student. Should I even worry about taking xtend? Currently cutting atm as well. Opinions please!

No supp. is necessary but they certainly can help, if you're on a budget stick to the basics, many find BCAA useful regardless of the goal, some use them mostly while cutting; Primaforce BCAA is a cheaper option than Xtend or you could also look into bulk Leucine.