Supplement Question

KellyAMueller

What's a good pre-wokout supplement? The only thing I'm taking right now is BSN Amino X.

I'm 150lb 5'6' and just want to tone and get the best (healthy) results.

I just started to do weights...I was one of those cardio freaks and never wanted to use weights.

I usually workout after work 5pm-ish

koing

Have a strong black coffee.

OR
MP Assault : I quite like this one. I have it on leg days. Other days I'll have a coffee instead.

Koing

PS make sure you get enough protein in! Get at least 120-150g per day!

GetSoda

Caffeine.

mustgetmuscles1

None are necessary and I doubt your results will be much different if you take them or not but sometimes we need a little boost when we just are not feeling it.

Pre workout:
Caffeine and citrulline malate

Every day:
Creatine and beta alanine

But I really like the ones I get for free. Go to your local supplement store and ask about preworkouts. When they give you their sales pitch ask them for a sample of a couple different kinds. Then go to the next store. : )

Chasem1984

I agree with everyone else so far. Mainly just some sort of caffine, but I like to take eith C4 or Pump. It helps me get throught the full hour without feeling sluggish.

crandos

Bcaa are good. But if you want craziness and maximum focus DS Craze the purple flavour man youll never take another pre workout again haha.

etoiles_argentees

No supplements.

skullshank

i've been enjoying n.o. xplode.
jack3d got me too 'wool sweatery'.
i have hyperfx too, but that lacks the creatine.

youll get tons of answers here...best bet is to try some out and see what ya like.

Alphastate

No supplements.

Then why did you comment?

As someone else posted, Cellucor HD is good stuff. The first couple times, it's super strong but you build a tolerance.

SadFaerie

Depends on workout. For weights I use C4, for cardio either HyperFX or Scivation XTEND.

Leadfoot_Lewis

I take Creatine & Beta Alanine. Also, I always eat something with a good amount of protein & carb 1.5-2 hours before I lift.

etoiles_argentees

No supplements.

Then why did you comment?

As someone else posted, Cellucor HD is good stuff. The first couple times, it's super strong but you build a tolerance.

Because I do fine without supplements. I like people that think
for themselves rather than listen to those that tell them what to think. Or do.

etoiles_argentees

http://gettingstronger.org/2011/03/the-case-against-antioxidants/

http://gettingstronger.org/2012/11/why-i-dont-take-vitamin-d-supplements/

JNick77

You really don't want any pre-workout supplements. In the grand-scheme of things their benefit, aside from maybe Creatine, is extremely minor and not worth the money. If you're exercising after 5pm, you probably don't want a stimulant do you? BCAA's are fine if you feel they help. Creatine is probably the most legit supplement there is, aside from Whey, and you don't need ConCret or Assault or anything fancy, basic Creatine Monohydrate is perfect as-is.

Cherimoose

Since you "just want to tone" in a healthy way, there's no need to use any supplements except maybe caffeine - and even that should be used cautiously or it can affect your sleep. 98% of your results will come from following a good exercise program, proper meals, and proper recovery, so i'd focus on those. Which lifting program are you following?

ElliottTN

Let me save you a crap ton of money here.
-Caffeine (for your size prob around 150 mg)
-Vitamin B complex
-creatine

Buy then all separately.

Take all about 45 mins before your workout and watch your intensity and energy shoot through the roof.

The above is about every active (proven) ingredient in most expensive pre-workout supplement out there....at a fourth of the price.

Don't forget that post workout protein!

jdm_taco

coffee or no doz

KellyAMueller

Thanks everyone for the comments!

Unknown

This content has been removed.

Jhostile

i've been enjoying n.o. xplode.
jack3d got me too 'wool sweatery'.
i have hyperfx too, but that lacks the creatine.

youll get tons of answers here...best bet is to try some out and see what ya like.

I use N.O.-XPLODE also, it was successful in helping my last few yo-yo diets(I eat to 210 then diet to 180 yearly), and working again this time. There are a few minor downsides when you first start taking it...

The first 1-2 weeks you will:
Get the ****s
Not lose weight even though you are burning fat because your muscles are retaining more water
Have trouble sleeping if you work out at night

Once you get past that first couple weeks though its GREAT!!! No matter how bad I don't want to go to the gym, by the time I get there and it kicks in I NEED to work out, like if I took it and didn't work out I would be craving weights. When I'm done lifting I WANT to do Cardio...every day!

...As far as money goes its a $30-35 tub that lasts through my entire cut, so ~$1 a pound

Unknown

This content has been removed.

choijanro

@OP

we are the same im also addicted to cardio than lifting,, also in abs exercise


anyway supplements that i use for pre workout that are effective and no side effects are Muscle Pharm CLA Core & Muscle Pharm Shred Matrix,, that are the best brand,, i also use L-carnitine or green coffee extract supplements any brand or they are combination of l-carnitine and gce.


Hope this helps #HTH

JNick77

You really don't want any pre-workout supplements. In the grand-scheme of things their benefit, aside from maybe Creatine, is extremely minor and not worth the money. If you're exercising after 5pm, you probably don't want a stimulant do you? BCAA's are fine if you feel they help. Creatine is probably the most legit supplement there is, aside from Whey, and you don't need ConCret or Assault or anything fancy, basic Creatine Monohydrate is perfect as-is.

have you even tried a pre-workout before? they do work..

Oh yeah, me and supplementation go way back. I use to use Ultimate Orange way back in the day before it became a banned product. I've used White Flood, Green Magnitude (very similar to ConCret), Green Buldge (name? from Controlled Labs) the one from ProLab (I think? can't recall), the one from MusclePharm (Armor something...) and just straight-up caffeine pills.

I can honestly say that the best results I've ever had came from basic Creatine Monohydrate and a Caffeine pill in the morning before working out. The Green Mag with White Flood was a good combination but I had just as many "bad" lifting sessions as I did with basic Creatine Mono and Caffeine, as I do without Creatine at all. Yes, pre-workouts do have some small value but I don't believe the value is worth the money, and nor is it worth the overall benefit. What do you do when you can't find the supplement, run-out, or don't have money for the supplement? I think some people become reliant on various supplements and of course supplement companies sell the **** out of their product and unknowing people buy into it. I recently went to a Vitamin Shoppe to get some Whey Protein and Cinnamon Extract and there was a rep from ConCret there giving free samples of ConCret and talking about how it makes you 45% stronger. I played along and said, so this will make me 45% stronger? She said, yes, that's what research as shown. Okay, then my 1RM on the deadlift is 405, so if I take ConCret I can then deadlift 580lbs??? I don't think so...

Most of the supplements that I use these days focus on digestion and recovery. I did decide to try this WaxyMaise supplement that's a good carbohydrate combination for pre and post workout, but it's nothing special other than a solid carb mix that's quick to consume and digests fast as I don't have a lot of time in the morning. I don't use it post-workout, instead to get some good quick carbs in me I have a mix of berries, 1 TBSP of local honey, whey, and almond butter or coconut oil. I used strictly oats, whey, and almond butter prior to working out for a long time and it was fine; I really did not notice much difference in NOT supplementing Creatine anymore. The caffeine pills of course stayed because I get up really early and need a quick wake-up, plus caffeine has shown to have positive effects on fat mobilization. The only reason I would consider creatine supplementation again is for it's recovery attributes. My updated supplementation:

- Whey
- WaxyMaise (I'm going to give it a 54 day trial-run)
- Flax Seed Oil 6grams / day (I ran out of Fish Oil and my GF had a big bottle of this stuffed in the back. LOL)
- Cinnamon Extract @ 6 grams / day
- Multi-Vitamin
- Gaba 750mg
- Digestive Enzymes
- Glucosamine Chondritin

For those of you that like CLA, you may want to read this before you buy your next bottle. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21990002

At the end of the day no supplement beats a solid diet plan, hard work, and adequate sleep. My recommendation would be to use as few supplements as possible.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

missADS1981

currently i use the usplabs oxyelite powder and combine it with amino x

SonicDeathMonkey80

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/08/12/ebay-prohibits-sales-of-craze/2645693/

Amphetamine-like ingredients before you workout - what could go wrong?

Unknown

This content has been removed.

JNick77

You really don't want any pre-workout supplements. In the grand-scheme of things their benefit, aside from maybe Creatine, is extremely minor and not worth the money. If you're exercising after 5pm, you probably don't want a stimulant do you? BCAA's are fine if you feel they help. Creatine is probably the most legit supplement there is, aside from Whey, and you don't need ConCret or Assault or anything fancy, basic Creatine Monohydrate is perfect as-is.

have you even tried a pre-workout before? they do work..

Oh yeah, me and supplementation go way back. I use to use Ultimate Orange way back in the day before it became a banned product. I've used White Flood, Green Magnitude (very similar to ConCret), Green Buldge (name? from Controlled Labs) the one from ProLab (I think? can't recall), the one from MusclePharm (Armor something...) and just straight-up caffeine pills.

I can honestly say that the best results I've ever had came from basic Creatine Monohydrate and a Caffeine pill in the morning before working out. The Green Mag with White Flood was a good combination but I had just as many "bad" lifting sessions as I did with basic Creatine Mono and Caffeine, as I do without Creatine at all. Yes, pre-workouts do have some small value but I don't believe the value is worth the money, and nor is it worth the overall benefit. What do you do when you can't find the supplement, run-out, or don't have money for the supplement? I think some people become reliant on various supplements and of course supplement companies sell the **** out of their product and unknowing people buy into it. I recently went to a Vitamin Shoppe to get some Whey Protein and Cinnamon Extract and there was a rep from ConCret there giving free samples of ConCret and talking about how it makes you 45% stronger. I played along and said, so this will make me 45% stronger? She said, yes, that's what research as shown. Okay, then my 1RM on the deadlift is 405, so if I take ConCret I can then deadlift 580lbs??? I don't think so...

Most of the supplements that I use these days focus on digestion and recovery. I did decide to try this WaxyMaise supplement that's a good carbohydrate combination for pre and post workout, but it's nothing special other than a solid carb mix that's quick to consume and digests fast as I don't have a lot of time in the morning. I don't use it post-workout, instead to get some good quick carbs in me I have a mix of berries, 1 TBSP of local honey, whey, and almond butter or coconut oil. I used strictly oats, whey, and almond butter prior to working out for a long time and it was fine; I really did not notice much difference in NOT supplementing Creatine anymore. The caffeine pills of course stayed because I get up really early and need a quick wake-up, plus caffeine has shown to have positive effects on fat mobilization. The only reason I would consider creatine supplementation again is for it's recovery attributes. My updated supplementation:

- Whey
- WaxyMaise (I'm going to give it a 54 day trial-run)
- Flax Seed Oil 6grams / day (I ran out of Fish Oil and my GF had a big bottle of this stuffed in the back. LOL)
- Cinnamon Extract @ 6 grams / day
- Multi-Vitamin
- Gaba 750mg
- Digestive Enzymes
- Glucosamine Chondritin

For those of you that like CLA, you may want to read this before you buy your next bottle. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21990002

At the end of the day no supplement beats a solid diet plan, hard work, and adequate sleep. My recommendation would be to use as few supplements as possible.

I don't think you've ever tried Craze before

Nope, I've never heard of it until now. I did Google it and review the label and it's not entirely different from most of the other pre-workout crap, White Flood, Cellucor, Jack3D, etc. Hey, if you like it and you think it's a significant boost to your workouts then take it. I would just stop and think long and hard about what you think you're getting from this? Is it helping you achieve weight loss goals? Do you think it's giving you real "pumps" that you can't get without it? Do you think you're getting legit strength gains from this or are your gains being related to the supplement a false positive because they're more related to "newbie" gains or possibly just from eating a solid diet and you're coincidentally taking this supplement at the same time? You can read anything from just about any subject-matter expert on nutrition and they will all indicate that supplementation is an extremely small percentage of your diet and what it takes to be successful. And at $30 $40 every month and a half is it really worth it? Not to mention it's been pulled from BB.Com and Walmart, so it doesn't even sound safe... QUESTION what you put in your body, you only get ONE.

JoRocka

most people are not at a level of athleticism that would require or even benefit from the addition of 99% of the crap the industry sells.

seriously.

and if you NEED a "thing" to motivate you to go work out? then you NEED more discipline. not drugs to motivate you.

I've been using plain old- discipline and self motivation for years. Trust me- it works.

JNick77

most people are not at a level of athleticism that would require or even benefit from the addition of 99% of the crap the industry sells.

seriously.

and if you NEED a "thing" to motivate you to go work out? then you NEED more discipline. not drugs to motivate you.

I've been using plain old- discipline and self motivation for years. Trust me- it works.

^^ Agree. Although, I will say that I've found supplements that help in the digestion of food to be the most useful to me.

JoRocka

I can't speak to those- because supplements for digestion are different that supplements designed for workout boosts/muscle gains/enhancements etc etc...

I don't have issues with digestion- so I don't bother with those either- but I could totally see how they might be needed with GI issues.

Shrug- not a topic I'm familiar with outside " I need to eat more fiber" LMAO MOAR FIBAR!!!!