Friday, 2 November 2012

Whey Protein Pre And Post Workout

The best time to take your whey protein shake often throws up differing opinions. Most people swear by the post workout method while others are adamant that a pre workout serving before exercise is also beneficial. There is a number of theories that people can offer to argue their case one way or the other. When all is said and done, like many supplements, different things work for different people.

Whey protein pre workout – Some athletes like to use a whey protein drink just prior to their workouts. The theory is it will help the muscles during the period of intense exercise and breakdown. In addition, it also speeds up the metabolism. Of course, this liquid nutrition is much easier to digest than normal foods. Hence, the feeling of bloating or training on a full stomach is not an issue. In fact, some people even consume whey protein during their workouts. A specific pre workout serving may not be necessary assuming that protein consumption is already at the required level. It is surely worth a try but is probably not for everyone and is down to personal preference.

Whey protein post workout – This is by far the most important time to give your body some quality nutrition. After your muscle fibres have been broken down in the gym, this is when they need repairing. In other words, you have a window of opportunity to complete the job by consuming a decent amount of protein. If you take a serving of whey protein immediately after your workout, it will speed up the repair of muscle tissue and assist with the creation of new growth. Furthermore, your recovery times will also improve. You should definitely see the results from this method in a short space of time.

Whey protein pre and post workout – Some hardcore athletes will consume whey protein both immediately before and after a workout.

Whey concentrate vs isolate - Typically, whey protein concentrate is approximately 80% protein while whey protein isolate is more along the lines of 90% protein. That said, whey protein concentrate undergoes less processing than isolate and is thought to contain more whey peptides. Concentrate also stays in the system for longer periods compared to isolate. Most quality protein powders contain a combination of concentrate and isolate anyway so both angles are covered. That said, some athletes prefer using a whey isolate product for pre or post workout.

If you had to choose between taking whey protein pre and post workout, then most would go with the post workout option. This is a tried and tested method that has produced results over a long period of time.

Friday, 20 July 2012

USPlabs Jack3d Review

Jack3d Review
When it comes to lifting heavy weights, we all have days when it can be a
struggle to hit the equipment hard. This pre-workout supplement by
USPlabs has been causing plenty of debate in the bodybuilding
community. Hence, after recieving numerous requests for information
on this product, it is high time for a Jack3d review.

The dosage recommendation is to take between 1 and 3 scoops. If you are taking this for the first time, it might be wise to take no more than
1.5 scoops. This is just to see what sort of reaction you get from
taking the product. Many people settle on 2 scoops and I feel this is
what works best. Of course, you have the option of taking a maximum
of 3 scoops if you feel the need for some extra help.

The powder is easily mixed in a glass of water and tastes reasonable
enough. Around 30 minutes after consumption, you can feel a slight
tingling sensation. This is very minor and it may be felt in the
face, fingers or other areas. This is your cue to start training. The
pumps you get with Jack3d are among the best you will experience.
Energy levels will go through the roof, rest periods are much shorter
and the urge is just to train hard.

Much has been made of the supposed 'comedown' after taking this
pre-workout supplement. I think much of this is probably due to
people taking too much caffiene prior to consuming Jack3d. If you
keep a lid on your caffiene intake on training days, this should not
be an issue. Other than that, it is only natural that you are going
to feel more tired than usual if you have pushed yourself to the
limit.

You would be hard pressed to find a better pre-workout supplement than
this one. If you check out jack3d reviews elsewhere on the internet,
i'm sure you will find positive feedback from users. If you are
looking for better focus, longer pumps and increased energy, this
product will not let you down. When you consider the price, it
represents great value considering how it will assist your training.

Monday, 14 May 2012

Creatine Benefits And Side Effects

Creatine is a sports supplement that is second only to whey protein in the popularity stakes. Everyone knows it is popular among bodybuilders and powerlifters, but is also used by a variety of sportspersons. These days, the field of sports science and nutrition is taken very seriously. Any chance of improving performance and gaining an advantage on the opposition, is explored. When people are considering taking this supplement for the first time, they always ask about the creatine benefits and side effects.

Creatine Benefits - The athletes among us who are involved in weight training, enjoy taking creatine because it increases our strength levels, stamina and endurance. It delivers a short burst of energy directly to the muscles. In short, you can train harder for longer and that usually leads to an increase in muscle mass. It also makes the muscles harder and fuller in appearance so you can feel and see these benefits. For these reasons, it is a supplement that you know without doubt is working as it should.

Creatine Side Effects - When taking creatine, water intake must be high to aid absorption. Any person who has a history of kidney problems should not take this product. By the same token, people with diabetes should steer clear as they could also develop kidney disease. This is because excess creatine is excreted by the liver and kidneys. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take this supplement for commonsense reasons. Apart from that, only a small number of side effects have ever been reported. These included diarrhea and muscle cramping. It should be noted, these were rare instances.

Many people are not aware that creatine is a naturally occurring substance in the body. This means consumption in itself, should not pose any health risks. When it comes to creatine benefits and side effects, the positives totally outweigh the negatives. Remember, this sports nutrition product is used by all manner of professionals from a variety of sports all over the world. If there were even the slightest chance of a potential health risk, the product would simply be banned. If it is good enough for a professional sport, it is good enough for everyone.

Thursday, 19 April 2012

ATP Advantage Creatine Serum Review

Muscle Marketing USA was among the first companies to launch creatine in liquid form. This was in the form of their ATP Advantage creatine serum range. Fast forward 17 years and the products are still going strong. This is a creatine supplement which has split opinions in the bodybuilding and fitness enthusiasts for years. The old school guys say it is not much use as creatine in liquid form is unstable and breaks down to the waste product creatinine. However, all manaufacturers vehemently dispute this theory. They point out the serum has a shelf life and it will remain stable until after the product expiry date.

One thing that MMUSA should be applauded for is the range of flavourings they have created. Regardless of your preference, there should be something for everyone. They have also created different versions of the ATP Advantage serum which cater for the needs of specific athletes, for example bodybuilders, runners etc, etc. Taking the serum is simple, you just use the dropper bottle as instructed. Place the serum on or under your tongue around 10 minutes before your training commences.

You can see why this product appeals to so many people. Unlike creatine powders, there is no loading phase with serum and no maintenance. It is simply a case of using it prior to your workout and then letting the serum do its stuff. Creatine serum does leave you feeling energized and invigorated after you have taken a dose. Dehydration is less of a problem when using creatine serum. After your training session has finished, it also seems to eliminate muscle soreness. Even if you do not make the switch, creatine serum can be used as part of the battle where keeping the body guessing is concerned.

If you are looking for a non-powdered creatine to eliminate the loading phase and increase creatine adsorption, this ticks all the boxes. Creatine serum can enhance performance, increase muscle size and endurance and assist in post-workout recovery. I may not be switching to creatine serum permanently, however, i can honestly say that i WILL be using it again. I first sampled ATP Advantage creatine serum 17 years ago when it first launched and it has definitely improved noticeably in that time. Why not sample the ATP Advantage serum for yourself and see what you think.